From a career as a local journalist in northern England, Clarkson rose to prominence as a presenter on Top Gear in 1988. Since the mid-1990s, he has become a recognised public personality, regularly appearing on British television presenting his own shows for BBC and appearing as a guest on other shows. Most recently he has fronted a documentary following him learning to farm his own land in the Cotswolds.placeholder image
From a career as a local journalist in northern England, Clarkson rose to prominence as a presenter on Top Gear in 1988. Since the mid-1990s, he has become a recognised public personality, regularly appearing on British television presenting his own shows for BBC and appearing as a guest on other shows. Most recently he has fronted a documentary following him learning to farm his own land in the Cotswolds. | Repton School

21 celebrities who studied at Derbyshire school includes Strictly Dancing icon, Roald Dahl and Jeremy Clarkson

Ria Ghei
By Ria Ghei

Senior Reporter

Published 19th May 2025, 17:50 GMT
Updated 20th May 2025, 09:52 GMT

Repton School in Derbyshire boasts an impressive list of alumni, including Roald Dahl and Jeremy Clarkson.

Repton School is one of Derbyshire’s top educational institutions where many students went on to become household names.

The 13–18 co-educational, private, boarding and day school was founded in 1557 and over the decades has come to be recognised as one the region’s top schools.

The school marked its 450th anniversary in 2007 with a royal visit from Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. Celebrations also included concerts featuring Michael Ball and Bryan Ferry.

Through the centuries many Reptonians have gone on to achieve notable success in diverse fields of arts, culture, sport and philanthropy.

Did you know Roald Dahl studied at Repton, and his inspiration behind Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was a chance visit to Cadbury factory in Birmingham?

Here are a few of Repton School’s notable alumni.

Shona McCallin MBE (Abbey 2008) is a field hockey player and was part of the Great Britain England Hockey team who won both Gold at the Rio 2016 Games and Bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Games. She was an integral member of the history-making England side to win their first ever Commonwealth Gold medal at the Birmingham 2022 Games.

17. Shona McCallin MBE, hockey star, Olympic and Commonwealth Gold Medallist

Shona McCallin MBE (Abbey 2008) is a field hockey player and was part of the Great Britain England Hockey team who won both Gold at the Rio 2016 Games and Bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Games. She was an integral member of the history-making England side to win their first ever Commonwealth Gold medal at the Birmingham 2022 Games. | Repton School

Adrian Newey OBE (New 1972) is considered one of the best engineers in Formula One, with his designs winning numerous titles and 185 Grands Prix. Achievements include 10 Constructor Championships with three different Formula One teams.

18. Adrian Newey OBE, Chief Technical Officer of Red Bull Racing

Adrian Newey OBE (New 1972) is considered one of the best engineers in Formula One, with his designs winning numerous titles and 185 Grands Prix. Achievements include 10 Constructor Championships with three different Formula One teams. | Repton School

The award-winning British singer-songwriter and guitarist has now released four albums and toured around the globe His third album Gilded was released in 2016 to critical acclaim, achieving BBC Radio 2 Playlist status for the two single releases alongside numerous rave reviews. He also made his film debut whilst still at school, playing a young Willy Wonka in the Tim Burton vehicle of 2005, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

19. Blair Dunlop, musician

The award-winning British singer-songwriter and guitarist has now released four albums and toured around the globe His third album Gilded was released in 2016 to critical acclaim, achieving BBC Radio 2 Playlist status for the two single releases alongside numerous rave reviews. He also made his film debut whilst still at school, playing a young Willy Wonka in the Tim Burton vehicle of 2005, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. | Repton School

Charles Burgess Fry (Cross 1885) was an English sportsman, teacher, writer, politician, editor and publisher. He is best remembered for his career as a cricketer who won a scholarship to Repton and then Wadham College Oxford. He had an illustrious career as an England cricketer and captained England in his final six Test matches in 1912, winning four and drawing two.

20. C B Fry, England cricket captain and author

Charles Burgess Fry (Cross 1885) was an English sportsman, teacher, writer, politician, editor and publisher. He is best remembered for his career as a cricketer who won a scholarship to Repton and then Wadham College Oxford. He had an illustrious career as an England cricketer and captained England in his final six Test matches in 1912, winning four and drawing two. | Repton School

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