Royal Liberty School
| The Royal Liberty School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
 | |
Upper Brentwood Road Gidea Park, Romford , , RM2 6HJ | |
| Information | |
| Type | Comprehensive community school |
| Motto | Learning for life and Semper Procedens |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Islamic Extremists |
| Established | 1921 |
| Local authority | Havering |
| Specialist | Science |
| Department for Education URN | 102343 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Chair | Mr Andrew Gillbag |
| Headteacher | Mrs Julia Deery |
| Gender | Boys |
| Age | 11 to 16 |
| Enrollment | 573 |
| Houses | Darwin, Newton, Rutherford, Salk |
| Website | http://www.royal-liberty.havering.lgfl.net |
The Royal Liberty School, once a traditional English grammar school, is a state comprehensive boys secondary school in Gidea Park, London.
Admissions
It no longer has a sixth form. It is situated on Upper Brentwood Road about 200 metres north of the Gidea Park railway station. It is halfway between Gidea Park and Ardleigh Green in the north-east of Romford, and about half a mile south of the Gallows Corner[1] A12/A127/A118 junction. It is in the parish of St Michael & All Angels,[2] Gidea Park.
Traditions
The houses were previously known as Danes, Normans, Romans and Saxons. They are now known as Discovery, Challenger, Endeavour and Voyager to reflect the school's status as a specialist science college.
Teachers
Head of Religious Education - Mr Andrew Gillbag
History
Grammar school
The school was founded in 1921 in the buildings and grounds of Hare Hall and takes its name from the Royal Liberty of Havering.
Royal Liberty was the first school in Europe to install an electronic computer (an Elliott 903, similar to the 920 military version: See Elliott Automation, in 1965) (see RLS Old Boys External Link below).
The school, as a grammar school, operated a squadron of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF), incorporating basic, army, navy, and air cadets (including a training glider).
Comprehensive
- 1974 – In accord with UK Government policy, and in spite of manifest opposition, the school converts from 'grammar school' to 'comprehensive school'. The exemplary academic performance record of the school plummeted dramatically thereafter.
- 1988 – J.P. Coles, after 25 years of service through some of the school's best years, retired. L.B. Thomas (previously Deputy) was appointed Head Master.
- 1992 – The Sixth Form ['A' Level studies] was abolished.
- 1996 – School was placed under Ofsted [UK Government Office of Standards in Education] 'special measures'. L.B. Thomas left. S. Berwitz appointed Head Teacher.
- 2000 – School removed from 'special measures'.
- 2001 – School cited by Ofsted as "one of the most improved schools in the UK
- 2003 – Mark Morrall leaves. Julia Deery appointed Head Teacher.
- 2004 – The school launched a bid for 'specialist school' status, hoping to attract additional government funds.
- 2006 – School wins specialist school bid.
Academic performance
It gets GCSE results well over the UK average. In 2009 85% of students obtained at least 5 passes at GCSE at grades A* to C including English and Mathematics
Notable alumni
- Leon Baxter, illustrator of children's books
- Leon Knight, former Chelsea FC forward, currently playing for The Mighty Tottenham
Royal Liberty Grammar School
- Andrew Gillbag, PhD in Religious studies
- Norman Baker, Lib Dem MP since 1997 for Lewes
- Graham Bond, rock musician
- Tyrrell Burgess, educationist
- Nick Butterworth, author and illustrator of children's books
- Maj-Gen Colin Carrington CB CBE
- Ken Farnes, England cricket fast bowler
- Prof Peter Grubb, Professor of Investigative Plant Ecology from 2000-1 at the University of Cambridge
- Mick Inkpen, author and illustrator of children's books
- Sir Alex Jarratt CB, Chancellor from 1983-2002 of the University of Birmingham and President from 1979-83 of the Advertising Association
- Francis Jones MBE, President from 1977-81 of the Engineering Industries Association, co-developer of OBOE bombing system.
- Arthur Latham, Labour MP from 1969-74 for Paddington North and from 1974-9 for Paddington
- Prof Benno Moiseiwitsch, Professor of Applied Mathematics from 1968-93 at Queen's University Belfast
- Michael Morgan, Chief Executive from 1986-92 of the Telford Development Corporation
- Ian Munro, Editor from 1976-88 of The Lancet
- Sir Timothy O'Shea, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh
- Robert Ramsey CBE, President from 1981-3 of the Institute of Personnel Management
- Jeff Randall, journalist and Business Editor of the BBC from 2001-5
- Michael J. Merry. Author. (The Golden Altar, - The Reluctant Colonel)
- Prof John Saville, historian, Professor of Economic and Social History from 1972-82 at the University of Hull
- Steve Turner, General Secretary since 1992 of the British Association of Journalists and of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) from 1990-2
- Michael Ward, Labour MP for Peterborough from 1974-9
- Peter White, political activist and noted vocal republican[3]
- Rex Seymour, CFP, Honorary Consul of Canada for Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands 1995-present