Notable Alumni
Our alumni are known as ORs (Old Rishworthians) and total thousands in numbers. They live and work across the globe and we are proud to boast such a diverse body of alumni.
Some of our most famous alumni are household names. Others are known; for the organisations they lead, for being leading lights within a field or profession, for undertaking work that enriches the lives of others and for contributing to the strength of the economy.
When you ask an OR what Rishworth School meant to them, some key themes emerged: hard work, friends for life, intellectual challenge, excellent teachers, preparation for the real world.
Our students remain at the heart of everything we do at Rishworth School. Providing them with a world of possibilities is what we do best.
Below is a list of some our particularly notable former students. Please note this is not exhaustive and if you are aware of anybody we should add to the list, we would be delighted if you would contact us and let us know. Please email our Director of Marketing and Admissions, Richard Danks, who will be happy to assist you rdanks@rishworth-school.co.uk
Education
Albert Hugh Smith – University professor and scholar of Old English and Scandinavian
Tim Robertson - CEO of the Anne Frank Trust UK
Politics and Law
QC Lord Carlisle - holds a prominent position within UK government.
The Honourable Wendy Beetlestone - Judge in the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Nominated to the bench by President Barack Obama in 2014
Andrew John Ashworth - CBE, QC (Hon), FBA was the Vinerian Professor of English Law at the University of Oxford from 1997 to 2013.
District Judge Anthony Wharton, qualified as a solicitor in 1971 and became a District Judge in 93 until his retirement in 2013.
Stage, Film and Television
John Noakes – Blue Peter presenter
Nicholas Connor – Filmmaker
Eric Portman – 20th century actor
Joe Duttine - Coronation Street actor
Sport
George Ford – Leicester Tigers and England Rugby Union
Joe Ford – Doncaster Knights Rugby Union coach
Gareth Widdop - Warrington Wolves and England Rugby League
Gerald Round - Wakefield Trinity and Great Britain Rugby League
Liam O Neill –National Development Coach for Pentathlon GB and Coach at the British Triathlon Performance Centre
Richard Hunwicks – Head of performance England RFL and now at Catalan Dragons
Charlotte Lutener – Young Rider for Team GB dressage
Emyr Huws, of Manchester City who recently made his international debut for Wales.
Music
Ed Sheeran – Singer, songwriter, musician
AJ Brown – Singer, songwriter, musician
Food and Drink
Michael Broadbent - one of the world’s great authorities on wine
Wendy Beetlestone
Ed Sheeran in his Heathfield Uniform
