Jenny Hopper (Modern Languages, 1977)

Teacher; former banker

Back in January 1977 when my headmistress heard of my offer from Hertford, she was incredulous, and to be frank, I think she thought it was a way in through the back door! But far from it – I was the first in my family to go to Oxford and was determined to get there, so worked to get top grades, just as good as those who got to other colleges by more traditional means.

When I got to Hertford, it was refreshing to be in such a friendly college, with others regardless of their background, who had entered on the same basis as I had. There were so many opportunities presented that it was impossible to take them all up but I particularly enjoyed the musical life of the college and remember that Neil Tanner was a regular supporter of Hertford’s concerts.

I remember meeting Neil Tanner on numerous occasions, though I was not aware at the time that the entrance scheme was his brainchild. My husband is one of Neil’s former Physics students so I got to hear so much more about his sense of humour.

And so what happened after Hertford? After 16 years in financial services, I changed to a career in education. Little could I have imagined on my first day at Hertford, that I’d now be advising sixth formers on their university choices. And that the current application process for Oxbridge is one that has been transformed by the visionary scheme Neil Tanner introduced 50 years ago. I’m proud that my lasting enthusiasm for my time at Hertford has helped encourage today’s pupils to apply. Our daughter graduated from Hertford in 2012, and a steady stream of students, from my current school, are now heading to Oxbridge including Hertford.