Our students have flourished upon leaving the school, with many now leading successful careers and contributing greatly to society. We are proud of their achievements and activities and their links with the school.
Notable Alumni
Careers in Academia:
Selig Brodetsky
(1888-1954) Professor and Emeritus Professor of Mathematics from 1924-48 at the University of Leeds, Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Institute of Physics. Past President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews
Jacob Bronowski
(1908-74) Mathematician, biologist, historian and Director from 1950-59 of the Coal Research Establishment. Became familiar to the British public through appearances on the BBC television version of The Brains Trust in the late 1950s. His ability to answer questions on many varied subjects led to an offhand reference in an episode of Monty Python’s Flying Circus where one character states that “He knows everything.” Author of The Ascent of Man and writer & presenter of the BBC documentary series of the same name
Prof Aubrey Diamond
Distinguished lawyer, teacher and public servant. Professor of Law from 1987-99 at University of Notre Dame, and President from 1988-90 of the British Insurance Law Association
Dr Nyman Levin
Director from 1959-65 of the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment
Prof Ashley Montagu
(1905-99) Anthropoligist known for his works on genetics, paleontology, and other life science topics. Professor and chair of the department of Anthropology at Rutgers University (1949-55)
Sir Gilbert Morgan OBE
(1872-1940) Research chemist. Former Mason Professor of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham and author of numerous works
Prof David Peacock
Professor of Chemistry from 1922-40 at the University of Rangoon (now the University of Yangon, Burma) and chemical adviser from 1942-5 to RAF Bomber Command
Daniel Pedoe
(1910-1998) Mathematician and Geometer. First influenced in his love of geometry by headmaster Mr M Gibbins and a textbook by Godfrey and Siddons. He was successful at the “ten plus” examination and subsequently won a Scholarship to study mathematics at Cambridge University. Author of various core books on mathematics and geometry, some of which have remained in print for decades and been translated into several languages
Prof Norman Rydon
Professor of Chemistry from 1957-77 at the University of Exeter
Prof Alan Stuart
Professor of Statistics from 1966-82 at the LSE (London School of Economics) Served as Pro-Director of the school from 1976-9
Reuben Smeed CBE
(1909–76) Statistician and transport researcher. Proposed Smeed’s Law, an empirical rule that broke the usual link between environmental factors and road accidents. Was awarded a CBE in 1966. Became the first Professor of Traffic Studies at University College London in 1967 where he taught until his death
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Careers in the Arts:
Irvine Arditti
(Born 1953) Violinist. Studied at Royal Academy of Music. Joined the London Symphony Orchestra in 1976 and after two years, aded 25, become its Co-Concert Master. Left the orchestra in 1980 to devote more time to the Aditti Quartet. Given an honourary F.R.A.M from the Royal Academy of for distinguished work. The Arditti Quartet was awarded the prestigious Ernst von Siemens Music Prize in 1999 for ‘lifetime achievement’ in music.
David Barbarossa
Drummer & percussionist with Adam And The Ants and Bow Wow Wow. Instrumental in creating the “Tribal” drumming trend that was popular among British and some American bands, circa 1979–83
Barney Clark
Actor. Began acting in school plays and appeared in the 2001 film Lawless Heart alongside Bill Nighy. Successfully auditioned for the title role of Oliver Twist (2005), directed by Roman Polanski, beating 800 children
Stanley Chapple
(1900-87) Pianist, conductor and educationist. Director of the University of Washington School of Music from 1948-62
Danny Foster
Singer and television personality. Appeared in the inaugural series of the British television talent-show Popstars, going on to become a founder member of pop group Hear’say
Henry Goodman
(Born 1950) Theatre actor. Trained at RADA alongside Jonathan Pryce. Awarded the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 1993 for Best Actor in a Musical for “Assassins” and in 2000 for Best Actor in “The Merchant of Venice“, and nominated again in 1998 for Best Actor in a musical in “Chicago“. Also awarded the London Critics Circle Theatre Award (Drama) in 1999 for Best Actor in “The Merchant of Venice.” Other work includes: (Theatre) Cat on a Hot Tin Roof; Yes, Prime Minister; (TV) Cold Lazarus; London’s Burning (Film) Taking Woodstock; The Damned United.
Charlie G. Hawkins
Actor. Most notable role is on BBC soap opera Eastenders (2004-present)
Martin Kemp
Actor and musician. Best known as the bassist with Spandau Ballet and role on BBC soap opera Eastenders
Woolf Phillips
(1919-2003) Orchestra leader. Epitomised postwar big band style on the radio and at the London Palladium. He performed with some of America’s greatest names – the young Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Sammy Davis Jr
Ronnie Scott
(1927-96) Jazz tenor saxophonist, band leader and founder of the world-renowned club Ronnie Scott’s. Amongst the most highly rated and universally recognised of all British jazz musicians. He was appointed OBE in 1981
Christos Tolera
Actor, artist, model & vocalist with 1980′s pop group Blue Rondo A La Turk. By 17 had already been photographed for the The Face and I.D. Currently painting and exhibiting while maintaining pared down but present acting career
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Careers in Media, Publishing & Writing
Sir Ernest Benn CBE
(1875-1954) Publisher, writer and political publicist. Uncle of Labour politician Tony Benn. Published over twenty books and an equivalent amount of pamphlets propagating his ideas from the mid-1920s until his death. A member of the Reform Club and a founder of what would become the Society for Individual Freedom. A principal and manager of the publishing firm Benn Brothers, later Ernest Benn Ltd
Jeffrey Caine
(Born 1944) Professional writer and screenwriter. Educated at the Universities of Sussex and Leeds. Taught English before becoming a professional writer. After writing for TV, during which he produced his own series “The Chief“, concentrated on screenplays. Worked on the script for Pierce Bronsan’s James Bond debut in 1995′s “GoldenEye.” Then wrote the screenplay to award-winning film “Inside I’m Dancing“ (2004) and was nominated for an Academy Award for his adaptation of “The Constant Gardener” (2005)
Lee Hurst
Comedian & broadcaster. Best known as a regular panellist on the BBC Two comedy sports quiz They Think It’s All Over (1995-8)
Trevor Nelson MBE
Broadcaster and DJ. Presented the first UK national R&B show Rhythm Nation on BBC Radio 1 in 1996. Awarded a Gold Lifetime Achievement Award at the SONY Radio Academy Awards 2010. Appointed MBE for his contribution to the Millennium Volunteers programme
Reggie Yates
Actor, TV presenter, radio DJ. Presented Top of the Pops with Fearne Cotton
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Careers in Sport:
John Halls
Footballer, began career playing for Arsenal (2000-03)
Karim Kerbouche
Ice Hockey player, widely recognised as the creator of Algerian ice hockey. Put into action the Arab Ice Hockey Association aimed at aiding the progress of ice hockey in the Arab World
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Careers in Business:
Montague Arnold
Chairman from 1971-81 of BPC Publishing, and Chief Executive from 1982-4 of the Property Services Agency
Paul Moody
Chief Executive of Britvic (2005-present)
Max Rayne, Baron Rayne
(1918-2003) Property developer, supporter of medical, educational, religious and arts charities. Set up Rayne Foundation in 1962. Knighted in 1969 and made a life peer. Created a Chevalier of the Légion d’Honneur in 1973, later promoted to Officier
Leonard Sainer
(1909-91) Enjoyed two successful careers, as a solicitor and retailer. Helped to set up Sears plc. Established The Leonard Sainer Trust in his will, which sponsers several children’s activities
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Careers in Public Service:
Robert Alexander Briggs
(1868-1963) Inspired by a tragedy where 183 children lost their lives he invented the panic bolt. This quick, secure exit system is still found today on all fire exit doors. Built a locomotive used in his towns first miniture railway and drove the steam train every summer until he was 88. He kept active helping young people develop engineering skills until his death
Anthony Grabiner, Baron Grabiner
Barrister, Deputy High Court Judge, member of the Bank Of England Financial Services Law Committeee (2002-05), non-executive chairman of Arcadia Group Ltd
Richard Seifert
(1910-2001) Architect who designed Centre Point, Tower 42 (formally the tallest building in the city of London), Drapers Gardens, King’s Reach Tower, as well as numerous other towers
Brig George Webb
Commanded the 1st Royal Tank Regiment from 1942-1945
Dennis Wesil
Educated London University. In charge of developing the UK’s postal code system. Occupied a wide variety of senior positions in the British Post Office, being latterly a member of the Post Office Management Board and Senior Director of Postal Services. Specialist adviser to commercial and industrial management consultants
The wider world will not know of Dennis’s work in the late 1960′s and the part he played on the newly introduced two tier postal system shortly after its introduction or about his role in the development of a corporate strategy for the Post Office. Each day Dennis remains unknown to millions of people who address a letter with a post code as the man who was responsible for the creation, planning and introduction of a system that almost fifty years later serves the population so well today
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Careers in Science & Medicine
John Forrest
(1918-44) Pioneer of preventative dentistry. President of the British Society of Periodontology, British Endodontic Society, and Metropolitan Branch of the British Dental Association. International work included the European Dental Society and honorary membership of the American Dental Association; at the time of his death he was president of the International College of Dentists.
Prof Max Hamilton
First President of the British Association Of Psychopharmacology, inventor of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, and former President of the British Psychological Society
James Loring CBE
Director from 1967-80 of the Spastics Society, and President from 1978-84 of the International Cerebral Palsy Society. Author of Teaching The Cerebral Palsied Child (1965)
