Royal Liberty School

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 400 metres north of 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 school's houses were previously known as Danes, Normans, Romans and Saxons. Then there was a period where they were known as Darwin, Newton, Rutherford and Salk. They are now known as Discovery, Challenger, Endeavour and Voyager to reflect the school's status as a specialist science college.

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'.
• 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.
• 1990 - The sixth form was twinned with the Francis Bardsley school. Harvey was the only male student attending.
• 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.
• 2009 - Rated Good by Ofsted.^[3]
• 2013 - Rated Good by Ofsted.^[4]
• 2014 - Julia Deery leaves. April Saunders

Notable former pupils

Royal Liberty School

• Norman Baker, Lib Dem MP from 1997 until 2015 for Lewes
• Graham Bond, rock musician
• Tyrrell Burgess, educationist
• Nick Butterworth, author and illustrator of children's books
• Andy Day, Children's TV Presenter for Cbeebies/Actor. Star of Andy's Wild Adventures
• James Grant 1992 - 97 Artist management. Company director behind many high-profile events. Music director/composer and show producer.^[5]
• Ken Farnes, England cricket fast bowler
• Doug Fisher, actor, Man about the house, London's Burning, The Bitch.
• 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
• Sir Timothy O'Shea, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh
• Jeff Randall, journalist and Business Editor of the BBC from 2001-5
• Prof John Saville, historian, Professor of Economic and Social History from 1972-82 at the University of Hull
• Peter Stebbings, BBC Presenter and Producer^[6]
• Michael Ward, Labour MP for Peterborough from 1974-9
• Michael J Merry, (author) The Golden Altar, The Reluctant Colonel, The Education of Santiago O'Grady. 1951/56
• Peter White, political activist and noted vocal republican^[7]
• Tom Agombar, (Musician) Endorsed artist of Flynn Drums and Drummer of London-based Hardcore band, Pressures^[8]
• James Brittle, (architectural carpenter) Parkrose, Albert and Victoria Museum.^[9]
• Dr David Scurry, Dean of Undergraduate Programmes, Oxford Brookes University. 1989-2008.
• Prof Ged Martin, Historian, Emeritus Professor of the University of Edinburgh
• Prof Peter Grubb, Emeritus Fellow and Emeritus Professor of Investigative Plant Ecology, Cambridge University

References

External links

• RLSOldBoys' Announcement Page
• The Royal Liberty School for Boys website
• EduBase
• Havering GCSE Results 2009