Notable Alumni

Whitchurch High School has a large global network of students that go on to achieve great success in their careers. Please find a non-exhaustive list of Prominent Alumni below:

Rhodri Morgan, 1950-1957
First Minister of Wales (2001-2009). MP Cardiff West (1987-2001)

Prys Morgan, 1948-1955
Emeritus Professor of History, Swansea University. President of The Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion. Welsh Historian

Margaret Courtenay, 1937-1941
Member of RSC. TV/Film/Theatre Performer. Olivier Award, Supporting Artist of the Year in “Separate Tables” (1976)

Hywel White, 1942-1949
Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detector (1990). Brookhaven and Los Alamos National Laboratories, USA

Ian Stephens, 1962-1967
WRU International (13 caps). British and Irish Lions: South Africa (1980), New Zealand (1983) 1 Test

Kayleigh Llewellyn, 1997-2004
TV Writer inc. 'Casualty' and 'Stella'. BAFTA Cymru Award Winner, Best Drama 'In My Skin' (2019)

David Phelps, 1988-1993
Welsh Sport Shooter at Commonwealth Games. Manchester (2002), Melbourne (2006) Gold and Bronze Medals, Delhi (2010), Glasgow (2014), Gold Coast (2018) Gold Medal.

Alan Wilkins, 1965-1972
TV/Radio commentator. Professional cricketer for Glamorgan CCC and Gloucestershire CCC.

Nigel Crowle, 1968-1975
Writer, Producer and Broadcaster. BAFTA winning: ‘The Ant and Dec Show’, ‘Fireman Sam’ and ‘Balamory’. Lyricist for Oscar nominated animation ‘Famous Fred’ (1998)

Alun John, 1959-1965
Picture Editor for The Evening Standard, Mail On Sunday and The Independent. Winner of Tom Hopkinson and Gerald Barry Awards for services to Journalism. Author of two books

John Davies, 1959-1967
Professor and Associate Director, Researching Cell & Tissue Engineering (Dentistry), University of Toronto

Dylan Ap Rhys Wiliam, 1966-1968
Emeritus Professor of Educational Assessment, UCL. Author of ‘Inside the Black Box’

Lloyd Jones, 1999-2004
Int. Ice Dancer. Represented France at European & World Championships and Sochi Winter Olympics (2014)

Jonathan Mann, 1997-2004
International Musician. Artistic Conductor of Immanuel Orchestra, Music for Life Foundation, Thailand

Shirley Lewis, 1949-1954
Welsh 80yds Hurdle Champion (1954, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961). Welsh 440yds Champion (1953). Cardiff Commonwealth Games (1958)

Richard Beckwith, 1955-1962
Pioneer of Computer and Audio-Visual. Networking in Video Conferencing Technology

Julian Mecklenburgh, 1984-1991
Research Fellow and Senior Lecturer in Structural Geology, Manchester University. Winner of Jules Braunstein Award

Matthew Brind, 1993-2000
International Composer/Arranger/Conductor. English National Opera, BBC Concert Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and many more. Composer of musical ‘Only the Brave’ (2016)

Margaret Jones, 1966-1973
Baroness Jones of Whitchurch. Labour Politician and Shadow Education Minister

Hywel Francis, 1959-1964
Professor of Education, Swansea University. Labour MP for Aberavon. Author. Chair of the Joint Committee for Human Rights 2001-2015

Dan Salmon, 2010-2015
Commonwealth Games, Australia (2018) Gold Medal Bowls. World Junior Bowls Champion, Australia (2017)

Michael (Geary) MacCormac, 1984-1991
West End Actor. Bilbo Baggins, ‘The Hobbit’ (2001) ‘Orpheus Descending’ (2019)

Matthew Elias, 1990-1997
Wales and GB International Athletics, 400m Hurdles. Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games (1998). Manchester Commonwealth Games (2002), 2 Silver Medals. Munich European Championships (2002), Gold Medal winner 4x400m Relay.

Richard Thomas, 1973-1979
Associate Professor of Journalism, Swansea University. Author on Journalism and Cricket: ‘Cricketing Lives’ (2021)

Carol Thomas, 1954-1961
Welsh Athlete. Cardiff Commonwealth Games (1958). 80m Hurdles Welsh Record Holder

Ray Glastonbury, 1949-1956
Cardiff RFC. Welsh Rugby League International. Record try scorer for Workington RLC (1962-63)

Kevin Glastonbury, 1969-1976
Wales aand GB International Athlete, 800m and 1500m. European 800m U21 Champion (London)

Nigel Palmer, 1975-1982
International Rugby Player - Arabian Gulf RFU (12 caps, 4 as Captain).Rugby World Cup 1999

Jayne Tapscott, 1975-1982
Welsh International Basketball (1981-1993)

Karen Tapscott, 1973-1981
Welsh International Basketball (1981-1982)

Ella Jackson, 2007-2014
Welsh Hockey International (33 Caps). Gold Coast Commonwealth Games (2018)

Chris Pike, 1973-1980
Professional Footballer. Fulham & Cardiff City (150 games)

John Jermine, 1955-1962
Welsh Golf International (22 Caps). Chairman of Ryder Cup Wales (2010) and Golf Union of Wales

Jeff Toye, 1957-1964
Welsh Golf International (44 Caps). Welsh Amateur Golf Champion. Captain GB U18 team

Tom Maynard, 2006-2007
MCC U19 XI. Professional Cricketer. Glamorgan CCC AND Surrey CCC

Raymond Gazard, 1947-1954
Welsh Men's Long Jump Champion (1956). Cardiff Commonwealth Games (1958) Bath RFC

Celia Berridge, 1954-1961
Published author and an illustrator of children's books including Postman Pat. Francis Williams Award (1977) Best British Illustrated Book, Runaway Danny.

Jeffrey Hambley Cuthbert, 1960-1965
Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent (2016-2023). Labour Party Member of the National Assembley for Wales representing Caerphilly (2003-2016).

Sam Warburton OBE MStJ, 2000-2007
WRU International (74 caps). Captain of Wales. Youngest Captain of undefeated British & Irish Lions: Australia (2013), New Zealand (2017) 5 Tests

Rachel Thomas, 2000-2007
Wales Badminton (16 caps)

Sarah Thomas, 2004-2011
Wales Badminton (34 caps) Delhi Commonwealth Games ( 2010)

Allen Phillips Griffiths, 1937-1943
Professor of Philosophy and Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Warwick

Adam Vaughan, 1996-2003
Actor/Singer in West End: ‘From Here to Eternity’, ‘Sweeney Todd’ and RSC’s ‘Matilda’

Stephen Harrison MBE, 1975-1982
International Adviser at the Court of HRH The Crown Prince of Bahrain. FCO Diplomat

Sir Malcolm Pill QC, 1949-1956
High Court Judge. Lord Justice of Appeal in England and Wales (1995-2013)

Huw Pill, 1978-1985
Chief Economist and and Executive Director for Monetary Analysis at the Bank of England (2021-). Senior Lecturer, Harvard Business School (2018-2021). Chief European Economist, Goldman Sachs (2011-18)

Richard Fice, 1977-1984
Royal Marines Band, Cornet player and Fanfare Trumpeter. Killed in bombing at Deal Barracks (1989)

Steve Morris, 2000-2005
GB Paralympic Team, London (2012), 1500m. Welsh Record Holder 1500m

Jenny Jenkins, 2001-2008
Professor of Earth Science, Durham University (2020-). Research Geologist, Cambridge University (2012-2020)

Major–General Jonathan Woodhouse, CB QHC 1966-1973
Iraq War Veteran. Chaplain General. Head of the Royal Army Chaplains’ Dept (2011-14)

Latalia Bevan, 2014-2018
Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Gymnastic (2018), Silver Medallist in Women’s Floor Event

Elizabeth Horrocks, 1957-1964
Author of the Arthurian Trilogy. Mastermind Winner (1974)

Matthew Barry, 1997-2004
Screenwriter TV/Film: ‘EastEnders’, ‘Casualty’, ‘Death in Paradise‘ and ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’

Rebecca Larsen, 1988-1990
Professional Flautist: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, LSO and ‘Wicked’ in West End

Julian Hallett, 1983-1990
First Wales Director of the Down's Syndrome Association. Services Development Manager of the Down's Syndrome Association (1996-)

Lyndon Williams, 1976-1983
Wales Badminton International (62 caps). European Junior Doubles Champion (1983). European Senior Bronze Medallist (1988)

Geraint Thomas OBE, 1996-2003
International Cyclist. Tour de France Winner (2018). Double Olympic Gold Medallist: Beijing (2008), London (2012). Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist, Glasgow (2014). BBC Sports Personality of the Year (2018)

Howard Jones, 1966-1968
Musician/Singer/Songwriter. Six Top 10 hit singles (1983 -86). Number One album ‘Human’s Lib’ (1984). Performed at Live Aid (1985)

Rachel King, 1985-1992
7 times Welsh High Hurdles Champion (1995-2003). Welsh 100m Champion (1997, 2001). Commonwealth Games: Kuala Lumpur (1998), Manchester (2002)

Dr Tim Stamps, 1947-1954
Minister of Health Zimbabwean (1986-2002)

Christopher Michael, 1953-1960
Emeritus Professor of Theoretical Physics, University of Liverpool (1974-). Scientific Officer Rutherford Laboratory, Oxford (1966-1969). Fellow at CERN, Geneva (1969-1974)

David Knapton, 1999-2006
Senior Designer at the Royal Mint, Llantrisant. Designed the new Team GB coin for the Tokyo Olympics (2020)

Sophie Howe, 1989-1996
Politician. Future Generations Commissioner for Wales (2016-)

Christopher Loveluck, 1980-1987
Professor of Medieval European Archaeology, University of Nottingham

Jon Bacon, 1962-1967
Professor of Neuroscience Head of the School of Engineering, University of Sussex

Beverly Collins, 1949-1956
International Phonetics Expert, Lancaster and Leiden Universities

Dr Susan Trussler, 1962-1969
Professor of Economics and Finance, University of Scranton, USA. President of Women in the Academy of International Business

Heather Trickey, 1982-1989
Leading expert on infant feeding. Creator of WRISK, bringing together the BPAS and the NCT. The Heather Trickey Prize created in recognition of her work

Prem Sissodiya, 2009-2016
Professional Cricketer for Glamorgan CCC

Matthew Tune, 1981-1988
Executive Producer at ITV Cymru Wales. Documentary Director and Producer

Sarah Gilford, 2003-2010
Operatic Soprano. Winner of Welsh Singer Showcase (2021). Finalist in BBC Cardiff Singer of the World (2021)

Dan Jones, 2002-2009
WRU International Referee (2018-)

Hannah Davies, 2014-2018
Wales Gymnastics Squad (2008-2016). GB Junior Champion 2014

Brian Paynter MBE, 1983-1988
Leading Advocate of Rail Safety and Cancer Fundraiser Charity

Nathan Humphries, 1975-1983
Cardiff RFC. Welsh International Squad. World XV (1985)

Sean Legge, 1977-1982
WRU International. Captain Wales ‘A’ Australia Tour (1991)

Huw Pritchard, 1985-1992
Commonwealth Games Silver Medallist (Manchester 2002, 20km Scratch Race, Track Cycling). Represented Wales at Commonwealth Games Kuala Lumpur 1998, Manchester 2002. 5-time British Champion cyclist.

Andrew Davies, 1947-1954
BAFTA Fellow (2002). Screenwriter: 'Pride and Prejudice’, ‘House of Cards’, ‘War and Peace’ and ‘Les Misérables’

Gareth Bale, 2000-2005
Professional Footballer. Tottenham Hotspur FC (2007-2013), Real Madrid (2013-2022). 4 European Champions League wins. 3 UEFA Super Cup wins. Wales International Captain

Rhys Jones, 1952-1959
Welsh-Australian Professor of Archaeology, Australian National University. Queen’s Birthday Honours, Officer of the Order of Australia (2002)

Rob Shaw, 1944-1948
Wales Commonwealth Games Captain, Vancouver (1954), Bronze Medal winner 440yds. Melbourne Olympics (1956). Cardiff Commonwealth Games (1958)

Peter Johnson, 1962-1969
BBC Radio Wales News Presenter. BT Press Awards Winner (1999)

Kate Woolveridge, 1976-1983
Professional Singer, Welsh National Opera. Co-founder of ‘Forget Me Not Chorus’ (2010). ITV Inspirational Woman of the Year (2012).

William McMahon, 2003-2010
Geology Research Fellow, Cambridge University. UK Space Agency, Mars Investigation (2016)

Gwilym Jones, 1960-1965
Conservative MP, Cardiff North (1983-97)

Elinor Crawley, 2003-2010
TV/Film Actor: ‘The White Queen’, ‘Vikings’ and ‘Ordinary Lies’

Carys Tucker, 2002-2009
Welsh Hockey International (54 caps). Glasgow Commonwealth Games (2014)

Gerda Roper, 1965-1967
Emeritus Professor of Art. Dean of the Schools of Art and Media and Director of Reseach Institute of Design Culture and the Arts, Teeside University. Working Artist.

Robert Vanderplank, 1960-1967
Emeritus Fellow and Director of Kellogg College Centre for the Study of Lifelong Language Learning, Oxford University

Eliot Kear, 2000-2006
Captain Wales Rugby League XIII. Salford RL

Martin Davies, 1953-1959
Chair WRU Finance Committee and FIRA and AER Committees (2003-2018). Cardiff and South Glamorgan Councillor (1967-1995)

James Goode, 1994-2001
MCC U19 X1. Professional Rugby Union player for the Blues and Ospreys

Cerys Jones, 1992-1999
Professional Violinist. Solo and Chamber musician. John Wilson Orchestra. Professor of Violin at Guildhall School of Music and Drama and RWCMD

Benjamin Roskams, 1993-2000
Professor at Royal College of Music in London. Professional Violinist, BBC Symphony Orchestra

Lyndsay Morgan OBE, 1967-1972
Chief of the Air Staff’s Warrant Officer (2006-2009)

Ben Slade, 1987-1994
BBC Children’s TV Presenter of ‘Why Don’t You?’ (1988-1995). Leading Educator. Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts and the Institute of Directors

Paul James, 1975-1980
Canadian International Footballer. Los Angeles Olympics (1984), Mexico World Cup (1986)

Jonathan Hill, 1981-1988
ITV Wales Cymru Senior News Presenter and Journalist. BT Welsh Journalist of the Year (2001). Co-author ‘The Pembrokeshire Murders: Catching the Bullseye Killer’ (2013)

Lyn Thomas Rees, 1937-1942
Consultant Anaesthetist University Hospital of Wales. Health Service Ombudsman for Wales

Bruce Fletcher Griffiths, 1937-1945
Prominent Welsh Judge. Chairman and Founder of the Bow Group

Alun Priday
Welsh WRU International (2 caps). Barbarians RFC. Cardiff RFC (410 games, 1799 points over 14 seasons)

Anna Valentine, 1995-2002
Executive publisher with Orion Publishing. Developer of Trapeze Publishing Group

Michael John Higgins, 1946-1953
Selection Secretary for the Advisory Council of Church Ministry (1991-2003) Dean of Ely (Cambs)

Kiran Carlson, 2009-2016
Professional Cricketer for Glamorgan CCC (2016-). Winning Captain of Glamorgan in Royal London One-Day

Paul Fisher, 2000-2007
Counsel on Attorney General’s Civil Panel, International Government Legal Advisor

Owen Lane, 2009-2014
WRU World Cup Squad, Japan (2019)

Dale Owen, 1937-1941
High Sheriff of South Glamorgan. President of the Society of Architects in Wales

Huw Davies, 1983-1985
Professional Cellist, BBC Concert Orchestra. Deputy Managing Director, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Gillian Eaton (Morgan), 1959-1966
Assistant Professor, School of Music Theatre and Dance, University of Michigan. Actor and Director

Andrew Valentine, 1992-1999
Assistant Chief Constable in South Wales Police

Rob Turner, 1952-1959
International Fencer. Commonwealth Games: Kingston (1966), Edinburgh (1970). Chairman Wales Fencing (1985-2012). Director Sports Aid Cymru

William Stone, 1957-1964
Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Hong Kong (1971-1977). QC Hong Kong (1977-1997). High Court Judge Hong Kong (1997-2011)

Robin Okey, 1953-1960
Emeritus Professor of History, University of Warwick (2006-). Fellow of the Welsh Academy. Specialist in the History of Modern Central and Eastern Europe

Paul H Cleverley, 1980-1987
Professor of Information Science & Technology, Robert Gordon University. Conferred the Enterprise Innovation Award by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (2009)

Nick Evans, 1980-1982
Professor of Rural Geography, University of Worcester. Published papers and reports on Geography of Agriculture and Rural Matters.