William Ellis School
Encyclopedia
William Ellis School is a United Kingdom
secondary comprehensive school
for boys in Highgate
, London
.
. The School's motto is 'Rather Use Than Fame'. The school is over-subscribed, usually an indicator of a popular school. It is situated just west of Parliament Hill
and north of Gospel Oak railway station
. It is next to Parliament Hill School
, a girls' school.
(not to be confused with the inventor of rugby football, William Webb Ellis
) was a public-spirited businessman. In the mid-nineteenth century, Ellis founded a number of schools and inspired many teachers to promote his educational ideas. Ellis wanted children to be taught "useful" subjects such as science (including 'Social Science'), and to develop the faculty of reason; this was in contrast to the learning by rote of religious tract
s, ancient languages and history which characterised what was offered by many schools at the time.
, originally being known as the "Gospel Oak Schools" and catering for both girls and boys of a wide age range. In 1889 the Gospel Oak Schools were reconstituted as a boys' secondary school, under the headmastership of Mr EB Cumberland.
. This was to lead to its most celebrated period, in the late 1940s to the early 1970s. A combination of its catchment area (drawing upon an intellectual North London demographic) and its status as a voluntary aided grammar school and member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference led to a period of significant educational liberality and achievement, especially under the headmasterships of Mr. F.W. Lockwood and Mr. Sydney L. Baxter. Alumni of this period include the film-maker Julien Temple
, and the guitarist Richard Thompson.
With the provision of better facilities for the National Curriculum and for Information Technology
the School became fully comprehensive in the years after 1978. The Queen visited the school on 7 November 1979. Fiona Millar
sent both her sons, and Michael Palin
and Patricia Hewitt
have sent their sons to the school.
Access to the school playing fields was via a seven mile bus journey.
status under the Specialist School Scheme.
In line with this specialist status, the school requires students to study at least two languages in Key Stage 3, with a requirement for at least one to be taken at GCSE level. Languages on offer include French, German, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Russian and Bengali. In addition, the school employs a number of native-speaking language specialists, who work with students throughout the school, but particularly in coaching GCSE and A-Level candidates in advance of oral language exams.
In January 2008, it was revealed that the school was in financial difficulty, following a dispute between a bursar and the local authority concerning a new central heating system. Consequently, the incumbent headmaster Mr. RJ Tanton stepped down from his position. Mr. JM Rose was appointed Acting Headmaster ad interim. Mr Rose, who began his career at the school during its Seventies' heyday, remains with the school as Director of the Sixth Form consortium. The current Headmaster, Sam White, formerly Deputy Headmaster of the London Oratory School
, took up his position in September 2011.
, and all classes are coeducational. Together with La Sainte Union Catholic Secondary School and Acland Burghley School
they make up the "La Swap"
consortium for 16–19 education, educating around 1000 students altogether.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
secondary comprehensive school
Comprehensive school
A comprehensive school is a state school that does not select its intake on the basis of academic achievement or aptitude. This is in contrast to the selective school system, where admission is restricted on the basis of a selection criteria. The term is commonly used in relation to the United...
for boys in Highgate
Highgate
Highgate is an area of North London on the north-eastern corner of Hampstead Heath.Highgate is one of the most expensive London suburbs in which to live. It has an active conservation body, the Highgate Society, to protect its character....
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Admissions
It is a specialist Language CollegeLanguage College
Language Colleges were introduced in 1995 as part of the Specialist Schools Programme in the United Kingdom. The system enables secondary schools to specialise in certain fields, in this case, modern foreign languages...
. The School's motto is 'Rather Use Than Fame'. The school is over-subscribed, usually an indicator of a popular school. It is situated just west of Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill, London
Parliament Hill is an area of open parkland in the south-east corner of Hampstead Heath in north-west London. The hill, which is high, is notable for its excellent views of the capital's skyline...
and north of Gospel Oak railway station
Gospel Oak railway station
Gospel Oak railway station is in the borough of Camden in north London. It is on the North London Line and is also the western passenger terminus of the Gospel Oak to Barking Line...
. It is next to Parliament Hill School
Parliament Hill School
Parliament Hill School for girls is a specialist technology college in the Borough of Camden in London, England.-Present day:It has Investors in People accreditation and participates in the London Excellence in Work Experience Scheme. Located on the edge of Hampstead Heath it has added two new...
, a girls' school.
Origins
The school's founder, William EllisWilliam Ellis (economist)
William Ellis was an English businessman, writer on economics, and educational thinker.-Life:Ellis was born in January 1800. His father, Andrew Ellis Ellis, an underwriter at Lloyd's of London, was the descendant of a French refugee family named De Vezian, and took the name Ellis shortly after the...
(not to be confused with the inventor of rugby football, William Webb Ellis
William Webb Ellis
Rev. William Webb Ellis was an Anglican clergyman who is famous for allegedly being the inventor of Rugby football whilst a pupil at Rugby School....
) was a public-spirited businessman. In the mid-nineteenth century, Ellis founded a number of schools and inspired many teachers to promote his educational ideas. Ellis wanted children to be taught "useful" subjects such as science (including 'Social Science'), and to develop the faculty of reason; this was in contrast to the learning by rote of religious tract
Tract (literature)
A tract is a literary work, and in current usage, usually religious in nature. The notion of what constitutes a tract has changed over time. By the early part of the 21st century, these meant small pamphlets used for religious and political purposes, though far more often the former. They are...
s, ancient languages and history which characterised what was offered by many schools at the time.
Foundation and development (1862-1937)
William Ellis School, the only one of these schools which now remains, was established in 1862 at Gospel OakGospel Oak
Gospel Oak is an inner urban area of north London in the London Borough of Camden below Hampstead Heath. It is bordered by the more affluent areas of Belsize Park to the west, Kentish Town to the south, Eastern Hampstead to the North and Dartmouth Park and Tufnell Park to the east...
, originally being known as the "Gospel Oak Schools" and catering for both girls and boys of a wide age range. In 1889 the Gospel Oak Schools were reconstituted as a boys' secondary school, under the headmastership of Mr EB Cumberland.
Move to current site and grammar school years (1937-1978)
In 1937 the School moved to its present site on the borders of Gospel Oak and Highgate, backing on to Parliament Hill Fields, Hampstead HeathHampstead Heath
Hampstead Heath is a large, ancient London park, covering . This grassy public space sits astride a sandy ridge, one of the highest points in London, running from Hampstead to Highgate, which rests on a band of London clay...
. This was to lead to its most celebrated period, in the late 1940s to the early 1970s. A combination of its catchment area (drawing upon an intellectual North London demographic) and its status as a voluntary aided grammar school and member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference led to a period of significant educational liberality and achievement, especially under the headmasterships of Mr. F.W. Lockwood and Mr. Sydney L. Baxter. Alumni of this period include the film-maker Julien Temple
Julien Temple
Julien Temple is an English film, documentary and music video director. He began his career with short films featuring the Sex Pistols, and has continued with various off-beat projects, including The Great Rock And Roll Swindle, Absolute Beginners and a documentary film about Glastonbury.-Temple...
, and the guitarist Richard Thompson.
The shift to comprehensive status (1978 onwards)
Much ingenuity had gone into extending and converting the building to provide the additional classrooms and specialist accommodation required by the post-war grammar school's large sixth form. However, the school's relatively small size meant that it was not capable of becoming either an independent, or a full comprehensive school, at the point when the state withdrew funding from direct grant grammar schools. An option of the school going independent was discussed. In March 1977, a group of parents tried to get a High Court injunction to stop the governors changing its grammar school status, organised by Mr Dudley Stanley Fox.With the provision of better facilities for the National Curriculum and for Information Technology
Information technology
Information technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
the School became fully comprehensive in the years after 1978. The Queen visited the school on 7 November 1979. Fiona Millar
Fiona Millar
Fiona Millar is a British journalist and campaigner on education and parenting issues. She was a former adviser to Cherie Blair. She writes a blog, The Truth About Our Schools, on education issues.-Early life:...
sent both her sons, and Michael Palin
Michael Palin
Michael Edward Palin, CBE FRGS is an English comedian, actor, writer and television presenter best known for being one of the members of the comedy group Monty Python and for his travel documentaries....
and Patricia Hewitt
Patricia Hewitt
Patricia Hope Hewitt is an Australian-born British Labour Party politician, who was the Member of Parliament for Leicester West from 1997 until 2010. She served in the Cabinet until 2007, most recently as Health Secretary....
have sent their sons to the school.
Access to the school playing fields was via a seven mile bus journey.
Recent history (1990-present)
From 1990 the School gained greater autonomy under the Local Management of Schools scheme, and spent a devolved budget of over £13 million per year for its 1000 pupils. In 1997 the school earned Language CollegeLanguage College
Language Colleges were introduced in 1995 as part of the Specialist Schools Programme in the United Kingdom. The system enables secondary schools to specialise in certain fields, in this case, modern foreign languages...
status under the Specialist School Scheme.
In line with this specialist status, the school requires students to study at least two languages in Key Stage 3, with a requirement for at least one to be taken at GCSE level. Languages on offer include French, German, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Russian and Bengali. In addition, the school employs a number of native-speaking language specialists, who work with students throughout the school, but particularly in coaching GCSE and A-Level candidates in advance of oral language exams.
In January 2008, it was revealed that the school was in financial difficulty, following a dispute between a bursar and the local authority concerning a new central heating system. Consequently, the incumbent headmaster Mr. RJ Tanton stepped down from his position. Mr. JM Rose was appointed Acting Headmaster ad interim. Mr Rose, who began his career at the school during its Seventies' heyday, remains with the school as Director of the Sixth Form consortium. The current Headmaster, Sam White, formerly Deputy Headmaster of the London Oratory School
London Oratory School
The London Oratory School is a Catholic secondary comprehensive school in Fulham, London. The Headmaster is David McFadden. It has around 1,365 pupils. It is not to be confused with The Oratory School, a Catholic boarding school...
, took up his position in September 2011.
Headmasters since 1862
- Edward Teather 1862-1889
- Edward Boyce Cumberland 1889-1919 (First Headmaster of the reconstituted school)
- F. G. Firth (Acting 1917-1918)
- Major William Hathaway Davis, DSODistinguished Service OrderThe Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
, MCMilitary CrossThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
, MAMaster of Arts (postgraduate)A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees... - Edgar Paul Jewitt (Acting 1928-1929)
- Dr. Thomas Crockett MAMaster of Arts (postgraduate)A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
, D.Litt(Edin) 1929-1942- Albert Edward Ball (Headmaster of North London Emergency Secondary School for Boys 1940-1945)
- Edmund Richard Martin (Acting 1942-1944)
- Francis William Lockwood MAMaster of Arts (postgraduate)A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
(Cantab.) 1944-1953 - Albert Edward Ball (Acting 1953-1954)
- Sydney Leonard Baxter MAMaster of Arts (postgraduate)A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
(Cantab.) 1954-1975 - R. L. Perry MAMaster of Arts (postgraduate)A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
1975-1983 - R. K. James MAMaster of Arts (postgraduate)A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
1984-1988 - Michael W. Wheale MAMaster of Arts (postgraduate)A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
1988-2002 - Richard J. Tanton BABachelor of ArtsA Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
2002-2008 - James Malcolm Rose BABachelor of ArtsA Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
(Acting 2008) - Robert J. Cathcart LRAMLRAMLRAM is an abbreviation for Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music. This professional diploma was formerly open to both internal students of the Royal Academy of Music and external candidates in voice, keyboard and orchestral instruments and guitar, as well as conducting and other musical...
2008-2010 - Jill Hislop (Interim Head) 2010–2011
- Sam White 2011-present
Involvement in La Swap Sixth Form Consortium
William Ellis School has a joint Sixth Form with the adjacent Parliament Hill Girls SchoolParliament Hill School
Parliament Hill School for girls is a specialist technology college in the Borough of Camden in London, England.-Present day:It has Investors in People accreditation and participates in the London Excellence in Work Experience Scheme. Located on the edge of Hampstead Heath it has added two new...
, and all classes are coeducational. Together with La Sainte Union Catholic Secondary School and Acland Burghley School
Acland Burghley School
Acland Burghley School is a mixed comprehensive secondary school in the Tufnell Park area of the London Borough of Camden, in London, England. The school received specialist status as an Arts College in 2000...
they make up the "La Swap"
La Swap Sixth Form
The La Swap Sixth Form is the sixth-form consortium of four North London schools: La Sainte Union, William Ellis, Acland Burghley, and Parliament Hill...
consortium for 16–19 education, educating around 1000 students altogether.
Academic performance
In the summer of 2010, 54% of William Ellis students achieved 5 A*-C grade GCSEs which is approximately equal to the UK average of 53.4%. A total of 30% achieved A*-C grades in English, maths, two science subjects, a language and history or geography. Students attending the sixth-form achieved an average A/AS point score of 605.2 which is far below the UK average of 744.8.1978-present (comprehensive school period)
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, Robert WyattRobert WyattRobert Wyatt is an English musician, and founding member of the influential Canterbury scene band Soft Machine, with a long and distinguished solo career...
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, script writer - John Russell (London politician)
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- musician, songwriter, Governing Board member of the Grammys - Elliott Spiers - actor (starred as "Marc" in the 1988 film PaperhousePaperhouse (film)Paperhouse is a 1988 British dark fantasy film directed by Bernard Rose. It was based on the novel Marianne Dreams by Catherine Storr. The film also stars Ben Cross as the heroine's father. Other actors of note in the film include Jane Bertish, Samantha Cahill, Glenne Headly and Gemma Jones....
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Criminal Division) - Dr. Dagan Wells - biologist; director of PGDPreimplantation genetic diagnosisIn medicine and genetics pre-implantation genetic diagnosis refers to procedures that are performed on embryos prior to implantation, sometimes even on oocytes prior to fertilization. PGD is considered another way to prenatal diagnosis...
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1862-1978 (early years and grammar school period)
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journalist, and President from 1980-2 of the National Union of Students - Professor Anthony Birch, Professor of Political Science from 1970-77 at the University of ExeterUniversity of ExeterThe University of Exeter is a public university in South West England. It belongs to the 1994 Group, an association of 19 of the United Kingdom's smaller research-intensive universities....
, and the University of VictoriaUniversity of VictoriaThe University of Victoria, often referred to as UVic, is the second oldest public research university in British Columbia, Canada. It is a research intensive university located in Saanich and Oak Bay, about northeast of downtown Victoria. The University's annual enrollment is about 20,000 students...
from 1977–89 - Carlos BonellCarlos BonellCarlos Bonell is an English guitarist of Spanish origin, famous for having given concerts in the most popular music as well as collaborating several times with British television stations and Film...
, classical guitarist - Tom BowerTom BowerTom Bower is a British writer, noted for his revelatory investigative work such as his unauthorized biographies.A former Panorama reporter, his books include unauthorised biographies of Tiny Rowland, Robert Maxwell, Mohamed Al-Fayed, Geoffrey Robinson, Gordon Brown and Richard Branson...
, journalist, biographer and former BBC documentary producer - Barry BucknellBarry BucknellBarry Bucknell [Robert Barraby Bucknell] was a BBC TV presenter who popularised Do It Yourself in the United Kingdom....
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on TV - Eric Cheeseman, Professor of Medical Statistics from 1961-77 at Queen's University Belfast
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, Controller of BBC TVBBC OneBBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
from 1947–50, and whilst at BBC Radio created Woman's HourWoman's HourWoman's Hour is a radio magazine programme broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in the United Kingdom.-History:Created by Norman Collins and originally presented by Alan Ivimey the programme was first broadcast on 7 October 1946 on the BBC's Light Programme . It was transferred to its current home in 1973...
in 1946 - Ken ColyerKen ColyerKenneth Colyer was a British jazz trumpeter and cornetist, devoted totally to New Orleans jazz. His band was also known for skiffle interludes.-Biography:...
, jazz trumpeter - Hugh CornwellHugh CornwellHugh Alan Cornwell is an English musician and songwriter, best known for being the vocalist and guitarist for the punk/new wave group, The Stranglers, from 1974 to 1990.-Career:...
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and Current Affairs from 1967–71 - Dickie DaviesDickie DaviesRichard "Dickie" Davies is a British television presenter, best known for presenting World of Sport from 1968 until 1985....
, ITV sports presenter from 1964–89 - Len DeightonLen DeightonLeonard Cyril Deighton is a British military historian, cookery writer, and novelist. He is perhaps most famous for his spy novel The IPCRESS File, which was made into a film starring Michael Caine....
, author and film maker - Sir Geoffrey de Deney CVO, Chief Executive from 1993-7 of the Royal College of AnaesthetistsRoyal College of AnaesthetistsThe Royal College of Anaesthetists is "the professional body responsible for the specialty of anaesthesia throughout the United Kingdom". It sets standards in anaesthesia, critical care, pain management, and for the training of anaesthetists, physician assistants - and practising critical care...
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from 1987–91 - David DeutschDavid DeutschDavid Elieser Deutsch, FRS is an Israeli-British physicist at the University of Oxford. He is a non-stipendiary Visiting Professor in the Department of Atomic and Laser Physics at the Centre for Quantum Computation in the Clarendon Laboratory of the University of Oxford...
, physicist at the Clarendon LaboratoryClarendon LaboratoryThe Clarendon Laboratory, located on Parks Road with the Science Area in Oxford, England , is part of the Physics Department at Oxford University...
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- William Eccleshare, Chief Executive since 2009 of Clear Channel InternationalClear Channel CommunicationsClear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
and of Young & Rubicam EuropeYoung & RubicamY&R is a marketing and communications company specializing in advertising, digital and social media, sales promotion, direct marketing and brand identity consulting.-History:...
from 2002-5 - Orlando FigesOrlando FigesOrlando Figes is a British historian of Russia, and Professor of History at Birkbeck, University of London.-Overview:Figes is the son of the feminist writer Eva Figes. His sister is the author and editor Kate Figes. He attended William Ellis School in north London from 1971-78...
, historian. - Sean French - journalist and half of the pseudonymous thriller writing partnership Nicci FrenchNicci FrenchNicci French is the pseudonym of English husband-and-wife team Nicci Gerrard and Sean French, who write psychological thrillers together.-Personal life:...
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CMG, Director from 1964-80 of the Nuffield Laboratories at the Institute of ZoologyInstitute of ZoologyThe Institute of Zoology is the research division of the Zoological Society of London in England. It is a government-funded research institute specialising in scientific issues relevant to the conservation of animal species and their habitats...
, and who claimed to have introduced the idea of keeping hamsterHamsterHamsters are rodents belonging to the subfamily Cricetinae. The subfamily contains about 25 species, classified in six or seven genera....
s as pets - Maurice GranMaurice GranMaurice Bernard Gran is one half of writing duo Marks & Gran. He co-wrote popular sitcoms The New Statesman, Birds of a Feather and Goodnight Sweetheart with Laurence Marks. He is also the co-author of Prudence at Number 10, a fictional diary supposedly written by Gordon Brown's P.A.-External links:...
, TV comedy writer for programmes such as Goodnight SweetheartGoodnight SweetheartGoodnight Sweetheart is a sitcom that ran for six series on BBC1 from 1993 to 1999. It stars Nicholas Lyndhurst as Gary Sparrow, an accidental time traveller who leads a double life after discovering a time portal allowing him to travel between the London of the 1990s and the same area during the... - Professor Michael GreenMichael Green (physicist)Michael Boris Green FRS is a British physicist and one of the pioneers of string theory. Currently a professor in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics and a Fellow in Clare Hall at the University of Cambridge in England, he succeeded Stephen Hawking on 1 November 2009...
, Lucasian Professor of Mathematics since 2009 at the University of Cambridge - Sir Roy HallidayRoy HallidayVice-Admiral Sir Roy William "Gus" Halliday KBE, DSC was a British naval pilot who saw service in the Second World War, in the British Pacific Fleet and subsequently became Director-General Intelligence in Britain's Defence Intelligence Staff between 1981 and 1984.-War service:Halliday studied at...
DSC - Vice AdmiralVice AdmiralVice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral...
and Director-General Intelligence, Defence Intelligence StaffDefence Intelligence StaffDefence Intelligence is a key member of the United Kingdom Intelligence Community but differs from the agencies in that it is not a stand-alone organisation but is a constituent part of the Ministry of Defence . The organisation employs a mixture of civilian and military staff and is funded... - Robin Hodgson, Chief Executive from 1985-95 of Hampshire County Council
- Professor Anthony A. HymanAnthony A. HymanAnthony A. Hyman is a noted British scientist and academic figure. Anthony studied zoology at the University College in London, went on to complete his PhD in molecular cell biology at King's College in Cambridge, and then completed his postdoc at the University of California in San Francisco....
, FRS - Molecular Cell Biologist and Director of Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and GeneticsMax Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and GeneticsThe Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics is a biology research institute located in Dresden, Germany. It was founded in 1998 and was fully operational in 2000...
: Dresden, Germany - Professor Michael Irwin B.A., B.Litt. Author. Professor Emeritus of English. University of Kent.
- Professor Kenneth Ives CBE, Chadwick Professor of Civil EngineeringChadwick Professor of Civil EngineeringThe Chadwick Professor of Civil Engineering is a professorship at University College London. It is named after Sir Edwin Chadwick, a Victorian social reformer who worked to improve sanitation conditions...
from 1984-92 at University College LondonUniversity College LondonUniversity College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London... - Professor Donald Jeffries CBE, Professor of Virology from 1990-2006 at Barts and the London, Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry, and expert on HIV
- Bernard JenkinBernard JenkinBernard Christison Jenkin is a politician in the United Kingdom, and the current Member of Parliament for Harwich and North Essex...
- Conservative MPMember of ParliamentA Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
from 1997-2010 for North EssexNorth Essex (UK Parliament constituency)North Essex was a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom between 1997 and 2010...
and from 1992-7 for Colchester NorthColchester North (UK Parliament constituency)Colchester North was a borough constituency in Essex, represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1983 until 1997. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election. It was a safe Conservative seat throughout its... - Paul Keers, Editor of GQ magazine from 1988–90
- Professor Roland LevinskyRoland LevinskyProfessor Roland Levinsky was an academic researcher in biomedicine and a university senior manager. His last post, which he held at the time of his death, was as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom.He was born in South Africa to Jewish parents...
, Vice-Chancellor from 2002-7 of the University of PlymouthUniversity of PlymouthPlymouth University is the largest university in the South West of England, with over 30,000 students and is 9th largest in the United Kingdom by total number of students . It has almost 3,000 staff...
and Hugh Greenwood Professor of Immunology at the UCL Institute of Child HealthUCL Institute of Child HealthThe UCL Institute of Child Health is an academic department of the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences of University College London located in London, United Kingdom. It is a leading biomedical research centre and has a history in children's medical research which dates back to its founding.ICH...
from 1985–99 - Professor David Llewellyn, Professor of Money and Banking since 1976 at Loughborough UniversityLoughborough UniversityLoughborough University is a research based campus university located in the market town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, in the East Midlands of England...
, and President since 2000 of the Société Universitaire Européenne Recherches Financières - Mark MazowerMark MazowerMark A. Mazower is a British historian. His expertise is Greece, the Balkans and, more generally, 20th century Europe. He is currently a professor of history at Columbia University in New York City.-Career:...
, historian - Jonathan Miller (businessman), Chief Executive from 2002-6 of AOLAOLAOL Inc. is an American global Internet services and media company. AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway in New York. Founded in 1983 as Control Video Corporation, it has franchised its services to companies in several nations around the world or set up international versions of its services...
(only for one year) - Professor Eric NevilleEric Harold NevilleEric Harold Neville, known as E. H. Neville was an English mathematician. A heavily fictionalized portrayal of his life is rendered in the 2007 novel The Indian Clerk.-Early life and education:Eric Harold Neville was born in London on 1 January, 1889...
, Professor of Mathematics from 1919-54 at the University of ReadingUniversity of ReadingThe University of Reading is a university in the English town of Reading, Berkshire. The University was established in 1892 as University College, Reading and received its Royal Charter in 1926. It is based on several campuses in, and around, the town of Reading.The University has a long tradition...
and known for his Neville's algorithmNeville's algorithmIn mathematics, Neville's algorithm is an algorithm used for polynomial interpolation that was derived by the mathematician Eric Harold Neville. Given n + 1 points, there is a unique polynomial of degree ≤ n which goes through the given points... - Fred Newman, founder of Publishing News and the British Book AwardsBritish Book AwardsThe Galaxy National Book Awards are a series of British literary awards focused on the best UK writers and their works, as selected by an academy of members from the British book publishing industry...
- Alan Phipps, Director General Commercial of the Ministry of Defence from 1995-9
- Chris Portinari, Band Leader & Jazz Trumpet Player
- Conrad Rainbow CBE, Chief Education Officer from 1974-9 of LancashireLancashireLancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
- Leon Rosselson, singer, songwriter, author and topical satirist.
- Andrew SachsAndrew SachsAndrew Sachs is a German-born British actor. He made his name on British television and is best known for his portrayals of Manuel in Fawlty Towers, a role for which he was BAFTA-nominated, and Ramsay Clegg in Coronation Street.-Early life:Sachs was born in Berlin, Germany, the son of Katharina , a...
, actor - Anthony Shrimsley, Political Editor of The SunThe Sun (newspaper)The Sun is a daily national tabloid newspaper published in the United Kingdom and owned by News Corporation. Sister editions are published in Glasgow and Dublin...
from 1969–73 and of the Daily MailDaily MailThe Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
from 1973-5, Editor of NOW! (1979-81 magazine)NOW! (1979-81 magazine)NOW! was a British newsmagazine founded by entrepreneur Sir James Goldsmith, partly as a vehicle for his right-wing political opinions.It was established in 1979, taking advantage of the market opportunity created by the closure of The Times and The Sunday Times during a labour dispute...
, and brother of Bernard ShrimsleyBernard ShrimsleyBernard Shrimsley is a British newspaper editor and writer. He was editor of The Sun and the News of the World . He launched the Mail on Sunday in 1980 and acted as a director of the paper from 1980 to 1982... - Sir Stephen Silber, High Court Judge
- Julien TempleJulien TempleJulien Temple is an English film, documentary and music video director. He began his career with short films featuring the Sex Pistols, and has continued with various off-beat projects, including The Great Rock And Roll Swindle, Absolute Beginners and a documentary film about Glastonbury.-Temple...
, film maker - Richard Thompson, singer/songwriter & guitarist
- Fred TitmusFred TitmusFrederick John Titmus MBE was an English cricketer, whose first-class career spanned five decades. Although he was best known for his off spin , he was an accomplished lower-order batsman who deserved to be called an all-rounder, even opening the batting for England on six occasions...
, England cricketer (53 tests) from 1955–1975, Wisden Cricketer of the YearWisden Cricketers of the YearThe Wisden Cricketers of the Year are cricketers selected for the honour by the annual publication Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, based primarily on their "influence on the previous English season"...
in 1963 - Professor Neil TurokNeil TurokNeil Geoffrey Turok is the Director of Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. He is the son of Mary and Ben Turok, activists in the anti-apartheid movement and the African National Congress.-Career:...
, Professor of Mathematical Physics from 1996-2008 at the University of CambridgeUniversity of CambridgeThe University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, and Director since 2008 of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical PhysicsPerimeter Institute for Theoretical PhysicsPerimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics is an independent, resident-based research institute devoted to foundational issues in theoretical physics located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Perimeter Institute was founded in 1999 by Mike Lazaridis... - Michael Waldman - TV producer, director
- Richard Whiddington CBE, Cavendish Professor of Physics from 1919-51 at the University of LeedsUniversity of LeedsThe University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
and President from 1952-4 of the Physical SocietyInstitute of PhysicsThe Institute of Physics is a scientific charity devoted to increasing the practice, understanding and application of physics. It has a worldwide membership of around 40,000.... - Professor Rodney Ian Fryer, Ph.D., Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, Rutgers University, NJ, USA 1985-2000 and Director of Medicinal Chemistry, Hoffman LaRoche, Nutley, NJ, USA, 1960–1985; Inventor of Versed and Dalmane
- Gerald Jennings, Ichthyologist and Author