History of Harton Academy
Please see link below to the website outlining the history of Harton Academy (previously Harton Technology College).
Famous Former Pupils
Dr Frederick Ernest Chapman – 1888 to 1938
South Shields High School, Durham County, Westoe RFC, Hartlepool Rovers RFC, England
The first player to score a Try, Conversion and Penalty at Twickenham
England vs. Wales
Professor John Erickson – 17th April 1929 to 10th February 2002
As a pupil at the High School, John won an open scholarship to Cambridge and after a period of national service he took his place at St Johns College where he read History.
After Cambridge John moved up the academic ladder working at the Universities of Oxford, St. Andrews, Manchester and Edinburgh. He became a consultant to the Ministry of Defence and the United Nations. His talents were recognised in the USA at such prestigious Universities as Harvard, Princeton and Berkeley. They were also appreciated in Moscow, Kiev and Leningrad. John’s specialism was Military and Political History in the Eastern Bloc. Such was the quality of his scholarship and the integrity of the man, he became unique in being accepted and admired by both sides of the Iron Curtain and obtained the trust of the Soviets. He has been described by many as a genius and one man who did more than most to bring an end to the cold war.
Right Hon. Walter Runciman, M.P.
Walter Runciman was one of the first pupils to attend the South Shields High School. He was the son of a Tyneside Shipowner. Walter left the school to go to Cambridge University. After leaving University he became involved in politics and was elected an M.P. His talents were recognised by various Prime Ministers and Walter Runciman was a member of many Governments over a period of more than 30 years. He held various Government offices including Financial Secretary to the Treasury 1907/08, President of the Board of Education 1908/11 and President of the Board of Trade 1914/1916 and again from 1931 to 1935.
More recent students
Joe McElderry – X Factor Winner – 2002 – 2007
Joe McElderry is now a well-known singer and songwriter after winning the sixth series of The X Factor in 2009. His prize was a recording contract with Simon Cowell’s Syco record label. His first single “The Climb” reached number one in the UK charts. Joe was also crowned the winner of Popstar to Operastar in 2011. To date he has released four albums – two of them reaching the UK top three. He made history by being the first X Factor winner to release a fourth album. He was nominated for a Brit award in 2010 and went on to win the Virgin Media Music Award for Best Act of Reality TV Fame in 2012.
David Wilson – England Rugby Player – 1996 – 2001
Dave Wilson is a rugby union player who plays at prop for Bath Rugby in the Aviva Premiership. At the age of 18, Dave made his debut for Newcastle Falcons in a 2003 League fixture against Bath Rugby. He made his debut for the England Saxons side that defeated Ireland A team on 1 February 2008.
Dave made his full England debut against Argentina atOld Trafford on Saturday 6 June 2009 in England’s 37–15 victory.