Teachers A-E

French c.1949

? c.1966

Followed H K Whiting and Mr Snape as Head of English, directed many school productions  Including  Romeo and Juliet 1959 Twelfth Night 1960 The Merchant of Venice 1961, Much Ado About Nothing 1962, King Lear 1963, The Winter's Tale 1964. He passed away in May 2017.

Music 1975 - when he composed "Give a Penny" still at the Elliott in 2009.

Has done great service to the school over many years organising concerts etc.

Science 2008

Mathematics around 1967. Possibly married Vivienne Mowatt

Science c1970 Jjoined Elliot School in September 1969 as Head of Biology with a remit to introduce Nuffield Biology. Left Ellott in April 1972 going to Chelsea School as Head of Science. His thoughts are recorded in the Recollections section.

English, Deputy Head at Elliott then became Head of Deptford Green School. Had been Chair of the SLN (Schools Linking Network) for seven years until mid 2013 when he became their Patron. 

Later picture taken at 30 year reunion in 1986

Mathematics from 1974

Head of Girls PE.  Around  1961, left to become organiser for West Sussex

Miss R.Al-Saadi

English  c,1970

Saxon Housemaster (came from old Elliott). Universally known as Archie. Left to become Head of St Julian's School, St Albans

English  c, 1964.

History c, 1960. Passed away while still at the School in 1973

Head of English. Picture taken in 2005

Taught Physics and Biology from before 1936. Was called up for Military Research in WW2, returned to Elliott and then transferred to Emergency Training College.

Picture from 1946 (is it me (webmaster) or is he Lee Marvin's younger brother?)

Diagnostic and Guidance    c.1973

History 1954-1961 He left to became Deputy Head of Herbert Shiner Secondary School at Petworth, Sussex. Next he became head of a new comprehensive school,
Heanor Gate, in Derbyshire (1964–69). He left the post to take up an appointment as Headmaster of Hardley Comprehensive School, where he remained until retiring in 1983 and sadly passing away in 2002.

Roy Hunt recalls " What is not known by everybody was the fact he was an accomplished Artist and some of his work was exhibited in the Heads Study-also the school coat of arms on the wall by main entrance was his work" You can see some of his work in the pictures section (1956 On - Gallery Two) 

Ivor had an eventful Second World War serving with the Royal Artillery. A moving account of his experiences, Tank Alert, was published in 1999.

Maths Current (2006)  Science teacher

Geography and House/Year Mistress c.1980-98 (has left and returned several times)

Geography. Saxon Housemaster and left to become a Head Teacher. First pictures taken in 2005, the far one at 30 year reunion in 1986.

Art c 1975

She took 4th yr and upwards for Horse Riding, which, back in the 70s was part of the Field Games programme.

Geography.  1972 - 1985 

Gill Cane (nee Kelly) says "brilliant geography teacher and famed for writing the GEORGE DYSON shows ,which I typed up for him to get out of his geography lessons also starred in the shows"

PE, Sociology Teacher Governor c2003 Jade Easton (Former pupil 1990 - 1995) says "Mr Barnshaw always supported my role in PE (long distance runner) and I now teach Sports Sociology at Roehampton University, I always believe he helped me as when I went off the beaten track he put me right! So Thanks to Mr Barnshaw and thanks for letting me inherit your passion for sport and social issues!"

Music, Piano tuition c.1970

Maths  c?

Science Teacher at Elliott 1994 -1997

TD (Technical Drawing). Motor Vehicles.  Had five children who did 'their time' at the Elliott: Judith, Janet, Ann, Guy and Colin.

Philip Wingate recalls - He led the first Elliott school trip to Russia in 1966 (or 67), He later imported a Russian "Volga" car perhaps to show some solidarity with USSR. It certainly was the talk of the school at the time.

Music around 1982 Alexis Clarke recalls "He had us playing great tunes like Hawaii Five-0 and The Sweeney which we would love (better than the dreary tunes other school bands play)".

Languages c.1985

Special Needs, was Miss Reace

Music c1972. In an item in the Comprehensive News for 1972, Celt House News congratulated Miss Bayfield, C36 on being promoted to Head of Music for next year.

Physics 1960's, Married Anne Bulmer

Steve Tolhurst recalls that a number of boys were brought to Mr Beach for filling contraceptives with Helium in one of the labs, and floating them out of the window. He fixed them with a stare of disbelief and said "Don't be so bloody wasteful. Get Out!"

He add Bernie was an inspirational teacher and the main reason I went on to read physics.

Senior Biology teacher (as well as taking Violin Classes) at the Southfields from 1949 to 1955 and then transferred to the new school  June Bavin (nee Chitty) recalls "I remember vividly her suggesting that as we walked to school we noticed the things around us. The trees, the leaves on those trees and any animals, birds or insects that might be on them, It's something that has stayed with me all these years .

Barbara Pollard says "She inspired and motivated me to achieve my chosen career as a science teacher" 

Karlen Lawrence ( Was Major) recalls. "She used to live in Friday Street near Guildford and every Autumn collected hazel nut cases and cones etc., which we painted gold and silver, made into brooches and sold at the annual school fair".

Art 1970-1972

Geography 1988-2003 Married Matthew Hoarty

PE 1969-74

History Latin 1975-1978?

Geography  c1958

Sciences (Formerly Miss Dunn)

subject unknown 1946

Art. c.1956/7 Formerly a senior Art Teacher at a grammar school absorbed with Elliott on the Putney site

Art, House Mistress. (Mrs Stanley Todd) 
Produced the sets for Romeo and Juliet 1959

Les Thomas Recalls "Brilliant. Bless her. She really tried but we must have frustrated the hell out of her. Pearls before swine springs to mind".

English c.1963

Taught part-time, A Level Applied Maths c 1974. Mother of Sir Tim Berners-Lee, now recognised as the 'inventor' of the World Wide Web. Tim did not attend the Elliott, but went to  the Emmanuel School instead.

It is said she had a very relaxed "non-teacher style" more in keeping with a Mathematician rather than a professional teacher. Image shows her with her husband Conway

P.E. in the late sixties

Counties Athletics Union Champion in 3000m Steeplechase 1974 Represented GB at Olympics Munich 1972 and Montreal 1976 is now Coaching and Development Director of ABAC

Geography

P.E. and drama teacher An 'Admirer' says "She is stunning blonde that left to be an air stewardess".

English  and Sociology for 6th Forms.  Picture taken in 2005

Art. c1958. Decor for 1959 "Thieves' Carnival" Production  (Became Mrs Jennings)

Metalwork/ TD c.1968

Needlework    Part time  c.1964

Head of History around 1961, left to become lecturer at Oxford University Department of Education sadly, died of a brain tumour in his late forties.

Maths c.1954

Head of Physics 1980's

Mr Mick Bond

Girls PE c.1976

Science. c. 1970

Maths  50-60s, Housemaster

Music c. 1964 
Bridged the gap between Victor Fox and Mary Towersey and has gone on to a notable career as Musician and Composer.

See Link http://www.derekbourgeois.com

? c.1966

Needlework, became Head of Design and Technology (DT)

? c.1966

English, Deputy Head

Maths 1998 - 2004

English c.1964

Technical Studies   c.1972 oliverbrome.jpg

Music c.1961 Remembered by Stan Theman  As having a bushy beard and looked like a beat nick. He was his form master in 3S. and Sam kept in touch with him over the years.

Outside of his career in teaching, he was incredibly well-known for his contributions to the musical arts. He was highly regarded by many colleagues and associates within the operatic world

Oliver saidly passed aged 90 in 2025. He has a tribute website here

Metalwork. Gavin Weir says "He  taught me Metallurgy to a level I did not meet again until I got to University."

Maths c1958-62?, left to become Head of St Julian's School, St Albans. Studied for a Psychology degree at Birkbeck

Music, Part time Guitar Teacher 1975-1981

French c.1970  (married to Sue Browning)

Mathematics  c.1970

Music Mid 70s

RE Became Mrs Bernie Beach. "Her story telling used to be spell binding" recalls Jane Parnum.

Picture from the 2006 reunion

French at the Southfields Elliott (Had to retire owing to cataracts)

Photo Taken in 1950.

English, around 1977

English, Headmaster 1982 - 2002

Science 1958 to at least 1962. Brother to Mrs Rogers. Barry Lewis says " Nicknamed Fred Litmus and uncle Bernie" 

Andy Lambert recalls "He noticed some of us were fascinated by his Microscope and started teaching a group of us after school - we even raided the local ponds for specimens"  I rate him as one of the kindest people I have ever meet.

Geography 1986 - 1996 (Possibly Head of Geography)

Part time, French/German, 1969 to 1971.

Produced "The Winslow Boy" at Elliott. Studied under Colin Davis and conducted the LSO in a Concert at the Albert Hall. Later he conducted and taught music at conservatories in Australia and New Zealand.

He died in 1989.

Spanish c.1998

Pre 1936 to ? Shorthand, Typing and Book-keeping.

English

? Celt House Mistress c.1977

English

Drama

Physics c.1957-61

Maths 1996 - 2001

French c 1948.

Karlen Lawrence ( Was Major) recalls "She was a French teach who adored France and gave us all a thorough grounding in French grammar. Unfortunately she left the school in 1954 which rather messed up our final year leading up to GCE,.

Maths. c. 1964

History, Dane House Mistress 1949 until at least 1962. Dawn Nevard (was Long) recalls "she had thin lips and was very stern, she had her hair tied back in a bun. I was a Dane. I believe it was her who got me and my friend up in front of the whole class and measured the height of our hair against the blackboard with a ruler, it was the days of the beehive, I believe I won, I was never so embarrassed".

Karlen Lawrence (was Major) says "Was a bit of a socialist. Unfortunately I missed out on the film about the birds and bees because I was naughty and she banned me from the session. Held me back for years. Nevertheless an excellent teacher."

Mary Lyle (Fernley) says "Miss Cast fascinated me because she seemed to be of a different era, she wore knitted stocking, I think they were called Lisle stocking, and very long skirts so she always made me think of a pencil".

Hazel Stocker (then Cox) says "She frightened the living daylights out of most of us her initials were M.E.D. so she was called mediaeval appropriately

PE c. 1972/1975

Mathematics, played Violin in the School Orchestra.

Philip Wingate recalls Mr Chaiken used to have a placard attached to the window above his classroom with the stirring words. "Noise is the enemy of study so be silent!!".

Science c1955

Head of Music 1975? - 1982+ ( Arranged and Directed music for Pal Joey, 1982 )

Girls PE (Probably head of Girls PE). Later Mrs Chollet-Hein (married Jeremy Hein) BW Picture shows Mr & Mrs Hein in 1976

Science c. 1947

Les Cooper recalls: "He drove an ancient motor cycle that was always backfiring up and down Merton Road. Sometimes it broke down and he arrived late at school – We all knew when he arrived and I think he enjoyed the noise of all the boys cheering him in, sometimes in assembly, sometime during class"

English ?

English c. 1972  

John Logsdon says He was the founder, editor and driving force behind Comprehensive News, the school newspaper. He also produced plays and drove an old Citroen 2CV, 

Passed away June 2009

Music ?

Head of Science 1968 - 1980  Celt House Tutor.

Gerry recalls: "I joined the Science Department when Bill Trotter was seconded to the Nuffield Physics Project (and Bernie Beach was Head of Physics). I later succeeded him as Head of Department when he left to become a Deputy Head in Gordano School, Somerset. 

I left Elliott in 1980 to become Head of Science in Hydeburn School (laterly,Chestnut Grove, Balham)".

Maths & Physics (72-76) General Science (72-74) Computer Science (75-76)

Head of Remedial. Rose Pierce recalls: During the war Mr Clay was in the RAF, a Navigator on bombers. He owned a straight 8 Bentley which he drove with great pride in the RAF. His crews were always relieved to have him as their Navigator because they said if 'Clay' was navigating they would arrive home safely.

His teaching skills for children with learning difficulties were wonderful. He understood, and provided them with tremendous support, throughout their years in the Department.
Many pupils went on to achieve academic success after having special help in the Department.

Music ?

from 1937/38 to ? History

English

Geography 1976-1980 Picture from 2008

History there in 1959

History c. 2003

Head of Music and Registration Tutor. At least 1988 to 1993

Mathematics, Celt House Master.   Pre 1936 

Died of a of heart attack around 1964, whilst at a inter house football match. Picture taken 1946

1968 - 1998 English, R.E., P.E., Orienteering. He took pupils on Mountaineering trips and played in the Brass Jazz Group. Now lives in Malta. (recent Photo)

Music, Visiting Teacher, Piano and Choir c.1963

DT Dept 1994 - 96

Geography c.1963

PE

? c1966 (in  charge of lighting on many school productions)

English, c1963

Maths 1991 - 1995

English and History

Picture from 1974

Head of Business Studies after George Hook retired

German. Left in 1960 to have a child. Freda Cook recalls "She was the first wife of Sir Bernard Crick, who recently died, and was mother of his two sons.. She later lectured in German at University College, London, after obtaining her M.Phil., and is also well known as a translator. Alive and living in Belsize Park."

English,  House Mistress,  Deputy Head c.1963  (Died tragically at the wheel of a car)

Graham Holley recalls "She made us - as sixth formers - line up outside her classroom door when we first started English with her. She soon relented, having established her authority! A great teacher."

History

Geography. Passed away in1998 while still working at the school.

PE Teacher at the Southfields Elliott, retired around the time the school moved. 

June Bavin (nee Chitty) recalls "I was in her form 1G which was a new class for "Grammar level" girls and as there wasn't a classroom for us at the Old Elliott Girls School we had a room in Riversdale Junior School until we went to the new school and joined with the boys as 2A the following year". 

Karlen Lawrence ( Major) Recalls "She made us all do things we knew we were not capable of of.  Taught us hockey and tennis.  Made us run in the sports day at Tooting Bec race track"

Science c1970 Picture taken at 30 year reunion in 1986

Art

Geography 1977-1986

Maths, Electronics?  He was with the Ministry of Education and was possibly the Minister for Education in his native Poland, before coming here as a refugee. 

Rose Pierce recalls "He worked in the Remedial Department for many years. Always worked with his pupils with enthusiasm - they liked and respected him. Worked in the Horticultural Department towards the end of his teaching life at Elliott".

Mathematics 1970s, 80s and into the 90's  Rob Dale recalls "He was also in charge of the after school Chess club, off which I was Captain in 1974"

Art c1959, Designed sets for School Production. 'The Merchant of Venice' 1961

Geography c1950 ?

English Teacher and House Mistress. Joined Elliott in 1968 as Miss Davies. Married in 1968 and became Mrs Thomas. leaving in 1976  to become Deputy Head at Cranmer School. Picture taken 2005

Science 1992 -1999 Now teaches in Sheffield Told the Facebook group in 2026 "A real school to learn to teach in, with some wonderful mentors to learn from".

MFL Deputy Head c1995-2000.

Left to take up a headship at Cator Park School in Bromley

Was there from 1974-5 as a physics technician, and then from 1976-80 as a physics teacher
Older image shows Michael Davies with Rolli Muray

Design and Technology  1979- 1982

PE  1964 1989 Now Sue Leigh 
Sue writes "I was employed by Victor Burgess, who I still talk about, to teach PE. 
My specialist subject was dance so I always worked to develop that. I worked alongside Mark Lyndon, I wonder if he remembers getting the children to lie on the coach floor as they did not have their passports to get into Wales!!!"

French and German. Headmaster 1968 -1974

English Produced The Importance of Being Earnest 1960

English, retrained to teach Catering

Picture taken at the 30 year reunion in 1986

PE Rugby  c.1963

Deputy Head  c1961 - Christmas 1973

Barbara Stewart recalls "She was a forbidding authority figure to me until the beginning of sixth form. I had eight good passes at o level but had failed English Language. I wanted to do two science and two maths A levels but timetabling did not permit this if I was also to re-take English Language- so Miss Dean volunteered to tutor me individually in my free periods for the English re-take.

We sat in her office and read Dickens together and discussed the allsorts-more like a university tutoring session than an o level retake-this was a revelation to me as she talked about her experiences. Her kindness enabled me to pass the re-take comfortably."

Head of Maths c1970 - c 1977

English and Drama1964 - 1967 shown here in 1966 as Mrs Noye.

Edmund Hodges says "Her Grandmother was Dame Sibyl Thorndyke, and Diana helped in the planning of the Shakespeare Globe Theatre reconstruction by the Thames I am told".

Head of Mathematics, and later became the Deputy Head and a School Governor.  Competed in the London Marathon

Art / Head of Year. 1990 - 2001

1973-2001 Head of History until 2001

Was Honorary Archivist of the Elliott School after retierment.

Physics    c.1972/3

French Pre 1936 to ? 
(Killed in WW2 See Elliott War Memorial)

Art Sets for King Lear 1963

? Teacher Governor c2003

English 1992-95. Moved to Cornwall and is now in Western Australia

Picture shows Mark re-enacting a scene from Batman, with him playing a flying Joker.

(He notes he did also teach Drama at the Elliott)

Worked in the Remedial Department. c.1963 Was in the Polish Air Force and joined the RAF during the war.
 
Rose Pierce recalls "he showed tremendous ability working with his pupils - they respected him and responded to him by improvement in their learning abilities. Died prematurely - was sadly missed in the Department".

Head of Woodwork c.1956. Constructed Sets for Arsenic and Old Lace, 1959.

He wrote under the name of 'Plasticus' in the 1950's and suggested the name 'Trumpeter' for the school Magazine whose Obituary for him says: Came to the school when it opened in 1956 and encouraged work of the highest standards in his workshop, in wood and plastic. After school he allowed groups to work on lines of their own choice and was always generous with his time and advice. He was taken seriously ill in September 1960 and died within two days of stopping teaching. A great shock to the School at the time.

Art c.1961.

Richard was the son of W C Drew his widow is Mary and she has very kindly donated the website many magazines and other items left by her late husband Richard Of course many of you may know that Richard was also an artist known as Zacron and was responsible for a number of artistic productions in the world of pop music in the seventies with the highlight being the cover of Led Zeppelin III album

PE and House Mistress 1961-1971. In 1968 Mary married Roy Hunt (an Ex Pupil who left in 1957). They have been Offshore for over thirty years and following Far East they have lived in USA, now Houston. As of 2011 Mary is a Manager at an Animal Home. Regularly visits UK where they keep a Cottage.

Geography c.1965

Sciences (Became Mrs Bed-dis).
Jean Ea-stick says she still has visions of all the boys rushing to the front whenever Mrs Beddis was showing us something. (she did wear rather daring low-cut tops - for the time, this meant the girls didn't get a look in!).

German  c. 1966

Geography. Was Miss Facer

Picture taken at the 30 year reunion in 1986

Science c.1968

Maths and English? c.1953.
James Parker recalls "He was a very popular teacher living out Wimbledon way. He also organised a school play"

English. Became Mrs Galligan (see that entry)

Art, Designed sets for School Prod. 'The Boy Friend' 1973

Mathematics

Mathematics c. 1964

English

Head of the Inclusion Department c.2003
He is also a successful rugby player with England ‘B’, England Students and Wasps

English DT and Carpentry, retired in 2010, but sadly passed away summer 2017

English

Science Current (in 2007) teacher Head of year since 1998