Some 'Notable' Elliott Pupils

Back to Main Index

This list is by no means definitive, as we can only add what people submit. Please email us with new names, any details and of course any corrections to the above. If you have a picture of any of these (or others) as they were then, or are today please also send them to us. The ownership of some of these pictures cannot always be confirmed, if anyone feels their use infringes a copyright, we will of course remove them.

Be Warned:- Some of the information is hearsay and a large amount has not been confirmed by the celebrities themselves. It is sad that myself and others have tried to get confirmation, but the response has been (shall we say) 'disappointing'. Thanks however to all those that have contributed, and I apologise now if I have not thanked everybody at the time of them submitting the info.

Name	Info	Image (if available)
Stephen Alambritis 1968-1975? Politician, Journalist and Referee	Known as Sooty at school Stephen (Soterios) Alambritis is Head of Press and Parliamentary Affairs to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) since 1988. Stephen was a member of the Cabinet Office Better Regulation Task Force (1997 –2000) along with Chai Patel another former Elliott pupil. He is also a Labour Party Councillor in Merton (2006), and until May 2006 was the Cabinet Member in Merton for Diversity. He became Leader of the Council in Merton at the Election of May 2010. He has been regularly interviewed on TV and radio including a session with the infamous John Humphreys! In his spare time, Stephen is a member of Merton Volunteer bureau and a Class I Football Association Referee. He enjoys real ale and is a member of CAMRA.
Joe Armstrong 1993-1997 Actor	Joe Armstrong, who left the school 1997 is now a successful actor in his own right, following in the footsteps of his father, the well known actor Alun Armstrong. They worked together in the successful TV Series Between the Sheets. Joe's promising career continues today (2006) with Robin Hood the TV series, where he plays the part of outlaw Allan Adale (pictured right).
Geoff Arnold 1955-1962? England Bowler	G eoffrey Graham Arnold (b. 3 September 1944) is a cricketer who played 34 Tests and 14 one-day internationals for England. His nickname of "Horse" is based on his initials of GG. He was a seam and swing bowler, who finished his first-class cricket career, which lasted from 1963 to 1982, with 1130 wickets at an average of 21.91. He played for Surrey and Sussex, winning the County Championship with the former county in 1971. He was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1972. After his playing career, he became a bowling coach. He is currently (2006) assisting Surrey.
Daisy Asquith 1989-94 Documentary Maker	Daisy left the Elliott in 1994 and went straight to Jacob Kramer Art School in Leeds. By the age of 19 she had become a receptionist at a production company (Windfall Films) and is today recognised as an unusual and talented documentary maker, who is not afraid to take on difficult projects. Much of her work is done with small hand held cameras and she can spend weeks understanding her subject and the contributor's mind.
Linda Barnett MBE 1960-65 Senior Executive Officer	Linda was Linda Batten when at school. Her long career in health started at the Artificial Limb Service at Roehampton, in 1969. Linda progressed through a number of Senior Managerial posts on the Department of Health and Social Security and upon retirement, in 1999, was awarded by the Queen the MBE, for Services Rendered. She now lives in Spain.
Brenda Bedford 1949-1953? Athlete	Brenda Bedford nee Sawyer was Elliott Girls' School Sen.Champion in 1952 and 1953 having previously been Junior Champion. She went on to a remarkable career in Sport, including Surrey County Champion for Shot Putt and Discus, 14 times each, from 1958-75 and was WAAA Shot Putt Champion 1966/7/9 and 73/5/7. Brenda competed at International level at Discus and Shot between 1961 and 1974, represented GB at three Commonwealth Games and competed for GB in the European Championships in 1969 and 1971. She still tops the Hercules Wimbledon ranking in both Discus and Shot and has given her name to the Brenda Bedford Discus Under 20 Event. The photo was taken in 1966 by Mark Shearman and is courtesy of Athletics Weekly.
Peter Brayham 1949-1953 Actor and Stunt coordinator	Peter was a boxing champ at the Southfields school and began his long and remarkable career in movies during the early sixties. His first roll was as a stuntman in The Guns of Navarone. This was followed by stunts in a string of James Bond movies, including From Russia With Love in which he played Rhoda (pictured right). This was released around the time Peirce Brosnan joined the Elliott. In the John Wayne film Brannigan it is Peter who jumps Tower Bridge, for which he was apparently arrested (No Permit in place) and was bailed by Wayne. He then became stunt arranger for the Sweeny and Blakes 7 (He talks about his Sweeny time here). He was working right up until his death in 2006 at which time he was working as stunt coordinator for series two of Life on Mars.
Pierce Brosnan OBE. 1964-1969 Actor and since 1998 Producer	Arguably, the most famous 'Elliottonian' around the world. He has made many excellent films, the most famous being of course the 'Bond' Series. He left school in 1969 to work at the Ravenna Studios in Putney. We live in hope that one day we will hear from 'Irish' (his nick name at school) himself and can then perhaps offer more background. Regrettable he has gone on record as saying he did not enjoy his time at school continually being picked on for his Irish accent
Ian Buckley 1957-1964 Playwright	Ian will be well remembered by many of those who were at school with him, for having a bit of reputation as a tough guy, though he very much prefers to be remembered for his sporting and academic achievements. On leaving the Elliott, he went to Christ’s College, Cambridge, where he gained an Honours degree in English Literature and then went on to study for an MA at Kent University. He also played soccer for Crystal Palace Juniors, London Schoolboys and was the first lad from a state comprehensive to represent Cambridge against Oxford at Wembley. His prolific lists of Plays have been seen on both stage and TV, as well as being broadcast on Radio (full details can be found on his website). He is a member of the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain. as well as the Actors and Writers London Group and has been involved as a writer with the Theatre Royal, Stratford East
Crispin (Cris) Cole 1973-1978 Musician and Screen Writer	While at the Elliott Crispin was the 'Narrator' in Bob Sabine's 1978 production of Cabaret. On leaving He gravitated towards the world of entertainment, playing guitar in a number of different bands including one hit wonders Jimmy the Hoover. Using the name Cris Cole, he later embarked on a career as a writer and soon found success with Embassy, a comedy movie, made for television. Other writing projects included Episodes for The Bill and Twisted Tales. He has written two movies in the UK, Pelican Blood and Lovebite, and one in Canada the Good Times are Killing Me. Currently he has a number of TV projects in development in Hollywood and his latest and most successful venture, is as creator, writer and producer of the Sky Series Mad Dogs. Crispin says he was influenced by the works of David Lynch and the Coen brothers and likes to produce a storyline that is "never quite what you think it is going to be".
Brenda Edwards 1974-1980 Dancer & Choreographer	Brenda has been nominated twice for The Cosmopolitan Woman of the Year, Brenda as well as being a choreographer and professional dancer. holds the distinction of being the first black woman to work in a British Ballet Company. She was awarded the MBE in the New Year's Honours list 2005, for her outstanding achievement in Dancing.
John H Ellen 1952-1956 Writer of books	John did not enjoy school, but recalls his English teacher "Archie" Andrew told him that if he settled down he could become a writer one day. He was right, as John is a writer of five books (two biographies and three novels) now living in rural Australia 300km from Melbourne (most of these books are available through Amazon) Winner of the HK McCann International Award for Creativity and is inducted into the Brisbane Advertising Hall of Fame. He also lectured in Communication at Bond University in Queensland a post he held for five years. He has been commissioned by the Returned Servicemen’s League to write a book on the Gallipoli Landing by Australian troops in 1915. Sadly he passed away late 2014.
Steven Fleming 1969-1973 Doctor and Scientist	Steven D. Fleming is currently a senior lecturer in reproductive medicine in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Sydney and Scientific Director of Westmead Fertility Centre. From 1993 to 1997 he was appointed Lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Nottingham, UK, where he established the world’s first master’s degree in assisted reproduction technology with Simon Fishel. He has acted as a consultant to assisted reproduction centres in Egypt, Greece, Jordan, Israel, Malaysia and Thailand. his extensive research activities have resulted in numerous publications in various books and peer-reviewed journals, as well as invitations to speak at and chair sessions at national and international conferences.
Damien Francis 1992-1996? Professional Footballer & Agent	Damien Jerome Francis was playing Football at Wimbledon Club before he even joined the Elliott and joined them full time on leaving the school. Later he moved to Norwich City and helped them reach the Premiership by winning the Championship in the 2003/4 season. A few years later he moved to Wigan Athletic, but soon after that was signed for £1.5 million by Watford. Sadly during his time there, he sustained a injury to a knee ligament, which would ultimately lead to his retirement in late 2008. He is quoted as saying his hunger to stay involved in football was what eventually pushed him towards being the Sports Agent he is today.
Bob Gilbert 1958 -1965 Entrepreneur and Director	On leaving school Bob joined Thomas Cook, but an avid passion for music and an ability to speak a number of languages led Bob to the music business becoming international promotion manager for a number of well known bands such as Genesis, Lindisfarne, Nazareth and even Monty Python. In the mid 70’s he was recruited as Vice President of Worldwide Sales at Choice Hotels International based in Washington DC. As a pioneer in the electronic side of the travel business, he helped developed the hotel industry’s first online consumer booking site. Later in life he ran the Walt Disney Travel Company as well as VP Sales and Travel Operations for California’s Disneyland. In recent years he headed up global sales and marketing for Best Western International. His entertainment background has helped him manage hotel advertising promotions with the likes of Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Samuel Jackson, Kevin Costner and Smoking Joe Frazier. Bob is married to Julie, has 5 children and lives in Arizona, USA, but he still enjoys a pint at the Green man when he is in the UK.
Brian Gwaspari 1961 -1966 Actor	Having played Don Juan in 'Much Ado About Nothing' and Edmund in the 1963 Elliott School Production of 'King Lear', Brian went on to small parts at the Royal Shakespeare in Stratford and later starring and guest-star roles in the West End, in Films and on TV. His many Television appearances include The Sweeney, The Gentle Touch, Yes Prime Minister, Specials and Waiting for God.
John Hamill 1958-1962 Body Builder, Actor	John had an interest in body building and was successful involved in it during the sixties. He went into acting and regularly appeared in the long running soap Crossroads as Dave Cartwright He also had small parts in Doctor Who, Space 1999 The Professionals and The Bill. Films included Tower of Evil, Hardcore and A Dandy in Aspic. Plus the odd 'slightly hot' movie. More Here The webmaster has special reason to remember John. I was at school at the same time and on one particular day, I was being picked on by one of the school bullies. John (who I only knew well enough to 'nod' good morning to) walked by and saw this. He 'had a word' with him and I was never troubled again. Thanks John, wherever you are now!
Graham Holley 1964-1972 Notable Civil Servant	On leaving School, Graham became a Civil Servant and worked in various Government Departments including: Education; Cabinet Office; Privy Council; Defence and Ofsted. He was Chief Executive of the Training and Development Agency for Schools for six years. Since 2011 he has undertaken a mix of paid and voluntary activity - as a consultant, governor, board member of Teach First, charity volunteer and political activist.
Zubair Khatri 1977-1982 IT Company Director	Zubair entered the world of IT shortly after leaving school Today he is the Managing Director of Qi2 and he generously supports this website. More to follow
Chris Lillywhite 1978-1983 Cyclist	Chris was a professional rider between 1987 and 1999 and represented England in the 1984,1994 and 1998 Commonwealth Games. He also won the Milk Race in 1993. Today he is a self employed heating engineer, but still keeps up the cycling
Bruce Martin 1957-1959 Scientist	After leaving Elliott he became a Scientific Officer at the Central Veterinary Laboratory near Weybridge. Duties included monitoring radiation levels from nuclear weapons testing and emissions from nuclear power stations. Promotion to higher level posts required a degree, so he left and studied for a degree in environmental health and obtained a post as an Environmental Health Officer in local government, specialising in food safety, private sector housing, pollution and health and safety. In 1993 he was made redundant as Head of Building Control with the London Borough of Lambeth and set up a Consultancy, providing environmental health services to local government, the NHS and the private sector. He retired in 2010.
Gary McDonald 1973-1978 Actor, Composer Footballer	Actor, Gary also played football for Wimbledon FC under Dario Gradi. Notable UK Performances include the Pilot of London's Burning (played Ethnic). Thief Takers (DC Oxford). Eastenders (Darren Roberts). With appearance in Casualty, the Bill, between the Lines and as Darren Roberts in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. He has also appeared in several films and Stage Plays. Gary says he is "proud of his Elliott roots"
Greg McKenzie 1989-1995 Journalist, Radio / TV presenter	Greg first UK TV appearance was with LWT presenting the youth show The Day In The Life Of A News Presenter. He followed this by working for IRN, CBS (in LA) and the UK's Channel 5. He is currently reading and reporting for BBC Radio 1 and 1xtra News. He has a twin brother Michael who works for BBC TV News in New York
Mike McKenzie 1989-1995 Journalist, News Producer	Mike is Greg twin brother and is also involved with the media He has worked for BBC TV News in New York, as well as Channel 4 News (ITN) as a News Producer. For the last 8 years he has been with the BBC and is currently a News Producer
Jeff Mills 1960 - 1964 Missionary	Unlike so many of us who just moan about the state of the world and wait for 'the governments' to sort it out, Jeff has 'got off his backside' and gone out there to help. He is an evangelist and is a missionary in Guatemala, Latin America. When you have time go to his website (link here) and read about his work among the poor, in between Volcano Eruptions, hurricanes and the many murders, which are common and regular events.
Greg Monroe 1965 - 1969 Actor	Gregory Alan Nanton Munroe was at the Elliott the same time as Pearce Brosnan OBE and like him went in to acting. His mother is the accomplished actress Carmen Munroe. His first credited role was in three episode of the TV series Crown Court. There followed several other TV series and TV movies, including a regular role in Golden Hill and a role with his mother (playing his mother) as Winston Lambert in the acclaimed Mixed Blessing. Sadly this promising career was cut short when he died of a heart condition in 1998
Dr. Delyth Morgan 1974 - 1979 MP and Baroness	A working Labour Peer in the House of Lords. 1996-2004, was the Chief Executive of 'Breakthrough Breast Cancer'. Baroness Delyth Morgan of Drefelin. She is the daughter of late Julian Morgan and Ann Morgan and married Jim Shepherd in 1991. Has been involved in and held posts in many 'good causes' including Breakthrough Breast Cancer, Shelter, National Cancer Taskforce and Working for Childcare. She is currently Chief Executive of The Breast Cancer Campaign
Rex Motley 1956 - 1959 Ford Motor Co Service Trainer	On leaving the School Rex undertook an apprenticeship with Crimble of Staines, a Ford Main Dealership. He joined the FORD Motor Company in Sept 1965, at their Commercial Vehicle division in Langley. Having initially worked on the assembly line he joined the Ford Service school and became one of their trainers. In 1993 he was offered early retirement, which he accepted. However the following day he was back at Ford now as a Freelance Trainer and has remained working with them to this date (2010).
Perry Nove CBE QPM 1954 - 1960 Career Police Officer	Perry Nove retired as the Commissioner of Police for the City of London in 2002, having held the post since 1998. He was considered by many to be one of the country’s leading experts on white collar crime, He joined the police force in 1961 soon after leaving the Elliott. In 1994 as a Met Police Commander, he was a senior investigating in the second Stephen Lawrence investigation Between 2004 and 2005 he conducted a strategic review on behalf of the Home Office, looking into the national arrangements within the police service for managing missing persons data.
Dr. John Nunn 1965 - 1970 Chess Grand Master	Dr John Nunn, chess grandmaster, joined Elliott in 1965, aged 10 (a year early). Appeared on the children's TV programme Crackerjack with five other pupils in January 1966. London under-12 Champion, 1964-6, London Under-14 Champion 1968-9 passed 2 Maths A-levels, grade A in Pure Maths and a grade B in Applied Maths. He proceeded to Oriel College, Oxford, to study mathematics. At the time, he was Oxford's youngest undergraduate since Cardinal Wolsey in 1520. Graduating in 1973, he went on to gain his doctorate in 1978 with a thesis on finite H-spaces, and remained at Oxford University as a mathematics lecturer until 1981, when he became a professional chess player.
Chai Patel 1970 -1974 Mental Health & Education Services	Chai Patel qualified as a Doctor in 1979. After spending some years as an investment banker he has been distinguished in the field of continuing health care, and healthcare policy issues, being awarded a CBE in 1999 for his services to the development of social care policies. He is Chief Executive of the Priory Group and a Trustee of the Windsor Leadership Trust; a Trustee of the IPPR; a Senior Associate of the King's Fund and a founder member of the New Health Network. He is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal Society of Arts; a member of the Institute of Directors; a Companion of the Institute of Management and has received an Honorary Doctorate from the Open University.
Maxwell Reed Pre 1938 Actor	Successful Actor - including Daybreak (1947) Blackout (1950) Flame of Araby (1951). Born 1919, died 31 October 1974. First husband of Joan Collins, who lived for many years a few yards from the Putney Elliott's site of Westleigh Ave.
Paula Roberts 1957–1961 Clairvoyant and Handwriting Analyst	Paula told her school Career Counsellor she wanted to join RADA but was told "that it's an overcrowded profession, you need to be a secretary" So she went to Kingston Tech and took a course. Years later, it was this qualification which gave her a Green Card to enter the USA. She arrived in NYC in 1978 and shortly afterwards began her life’s work as a clairvoyant and handwriting analyst (which she had studied in London). She started working with clients, but also undertook experiments in ‘ghost-hunting’ (paranormal investigations). Her very first one was filmed for ‘Unsolved Mysteries’ which is still being shown (series 1, episode 7) and for many years had her own live, local, call-in tv show and was interviewed by a great many newspapers and magazines. She met Ingo Swann in 1996 – he was the first and greatest remote viewer and they occasionally did some experimental sessions. She believes that one of her viewings was sent off to a Government Agency and is still being discussed there! It is this large body of work which she was asked to submit as her own personal archive in the University of West Georgia, Library of Special Interests. She sent some 90lbs of material and continues to submit her work. This is a very rare honour in her field and she finds it strangely amusing that people are studying her work. Paula continues to work and has no intention or interest in ‘retiring’.
Felix Scott 1992-1999 Actor	Felix's acting carrier started while still at the Elliott where he appeared in The Sea and The Hypochondriac. He has told the website that "My experiences of acting in those productions played a significant part in my chosen career". His first real break came with Family Affairs a 2005 TV series in which he appeared in 23 episodes as Nathan Fletcher. This was followed by Bombshell as Gunner Adam Hodges. Other work has included The Bill, Holby and of course Missing. During 2013 he joined the regular cast of Doc Martin as army deserter, part time nanny and OCD sufferer Mike Pruddy At the time of writing this he was filming an ITV two part drama called 'Undeniable' that should be screened March 2014.
Colin Stagg 1974 -1979 Innocent Victim	Colin's name is probably as well known as that of any former pupil, since he was set up by Police in a "sugar trap" and wrongly accused of a 1992 knife murder on Wimbledon Common of Rachel Nickell. He was remanded in custody until cleared by an Old Bailey Judge in 1994. After a fourteen year wait he was finally financially compensated for the traumatic experience, and the real murderer jailed. Today Colin has started to write and produce his own Music, playing all the instruments himself and has produced over 30 songs to date (2012).
James Stephenson 1974 -1980 Broadcaster	James' mother Auriol Stephenson, was for many years a Governor of the Elliott School. From the Elliott James went on to Oxford and in 1988 he joined the BBC as a researcher on Panorama. In May 2013 he was appointed BBC World News Head of News. James has worked as assistant editor and deputy editor of Newsnight. He launched the Politics Show in 2003 and was Middle East bureau chief from 2007 - 2009. He has been Editor of BBC News at Six and BBC News at Ten and political programmes at Westminster.
John Arthur Thompson 1945-1950 Research Scientist	John's form teacher was George Hofmann at the Southfields Elliott. Leaving in the summer of 1950 he joined Duckhams Research Laboratory, but his career was interrupted for two years in 1952 by National Service. He married in 1956, moving to Ontario Canada and joined Esso, where he would stay for the rest of his career. He retired from Esso in 1990 as Technical Research Specialist, with 12 Canadian and US Patents. For which he received numerous Company and Canadian Awards, including the prestigious Canadian Chemical Institute CIC award . Since retirement he has lived in British Columbia. John says "I have found in life that technical professionals love to be asked a question (especially in their area of expertise) and thence help inquisitive people who want to learn. Quite often I find myself using this phrase There is NO such thing as a stupid question and I continue to learn new things daily"
Alan Trengove 1941-1946 Journalist Author	Alan was born in London, the son of an Australian World War 1 soldier and his English wife. They lived in Fulham, and he was evacuated to Guildford as a 10-year-old at the outbreak of World War II, attending the Elliott's temporary premises at Guildown House until the war's end. He moved to Melbourne a few years later, and became a journalist and foreign correspondent. He is the author of 16 books, ranging from sport to popular history. The photograph shows Alan as one of the torch-runners at the 2000 Olympic
Trevor Whittle 1973 -1980 International Athlete - High Jump.	Whilst at school Trevor took up athletics, specialising in the high Jump event, of which he won numerous championship competitions in the youth and junior ranks. He continued at senior level, winning and successfully defending titles at the Surrey and Southern Counties Championships. He went on to represent England and trialled for both the Commonwealth and Olympic games during the 1980's. Trevor was awarded a lifetime achievement honour for the then, Polytechnic Harriers Athletics Club, becoming the club's first home grown international athlete. He still holds the club record of 2.14 Metres (7' 3/4"). Trevor now an IT Manager, spends his free time coaching youngsters in athletics.