Independent school Austin Friars prides itself on being free to innovate and inspired to care, focusing on its pupils individually and nurturing them to help them develop their unique potential.

There is a good chance you might recognise some of the famous faces that attended Austin Friars. From athletes to actors, racing drivers to singers, we’ve taken a look at five well-known alumni who have enjoyed great success in the different paths they’ve taken.

Tom Farrell – (AF 2002 to 2009) – Athlete

Tom Farrell is a long-distance runner who now counts Mo Farah as one of his training buddies.

After leaving Austin Friars, he spent most of his university life training at an American university.

He then went on to proudly represent his country at the 2015 World Championships in Athletics, the 2016 IAAF World Indoor Championships and was in attendance at the Rio 2016 Olympics, where he just missed qualifying for the 5,000 metre final.

Alex MacDowall – (AF 2002 to 2008) - Racing Driver

Alexander ‘Alex’ Hay MacDowall is an auto racing driver, who began his racing career in T Cars in 2005.

In February 2014, Alex announced that he would compete for Aston Martin Racing, the factory Aston Martin racing team, in the FIA World Endurance Championship. This marked his first competitive start in GT racing and saw him race at some of the world’s most famous circuits including Le Mans, Spa, Silverstone and Interlagos.

Alex recently took the prestigious LMGTE title when he produced a true champion’s performance during the sixth and final round of the European Le Mans Series at Estoril in October, leading Beechdean Motorsport earning a dramatic race victory.

Alice Fearn – (AF 1995 to 2002) – Singer

Alice is a singer who has enjoyed success in the West End and around the UK. She has appeared in several big musical productions, including Les Miserables, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Shrek The Musical and is currently performing in Wicked.

Alice, who has just released a new album, has toured extensively with Michael Ball, and more recently, with Russell Watson – singing solos and duets during the intervals of his national tour.

James Conway (Atherton) – 1998 to 2005 – Actor

James was a Hollyoaks regular from 2011 until 2013, playing Will Savage. After starting out as a geeky and loveable character, his evil side came out when he murdered Texas Longford and Anna Blake – and attempted to murder several more characters. He returned for a guest stint, but ultimately met his demise when the Gloved Hand Killer attacked him.

He joined Coronation Street last year playing the soap’s bad boy, Jamie, the ex-boyfriend of Steph Britton.

James also recently appeared on our screens in an episode of Mid-Summer Murders.

Andrew Roberts (Wightman) – 1969 to 1976 – Actor and Producer

Andrew Wightman is a producer and actor.

Andrew played Bonzo in ‘ Allsorts’ , a British children's television series that was produced by Granada Television for nine series, which aired from 8 January 1986 to 12 December 1995 on ITV.

He is also well-known for producing Family Fortunes (1980), EastEnders: Christmas Party (2003) and Celebrate the Sound of Music (2005).

Andrew is currently working as an executive producer at Fremantle Global Entertainment.

If you’d like to find out more about Austin Friars and why it is the first choice school for parents considering independent day education in Cumbria and South West Scotland, visit their website www.austinfriars.co.uk or call 01228 550760 to arrange a visit.