The school is situated on Upper Brentwood Road about 400 metres north of Gidea Park railway station, and approximately halfway between Gidea Park and Ardleigh Green to the north-east of Romford. It is in the parish of St. Michael & All Angels, Gidea Park.[2]
The Royal Liberty was the first school in Europe to install an electronic computer (an Elliott 903, similar to the 920 military version) in 1965.
As a grammar school, it operated a squadron of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF), incorporating basic, army, navy, and air cadets (including a training glider).
Comprehensive school
1974 – In accord with government policy, and in spite of manifest opposition, the school converts from a grammar to comprehensive school.
1989 – J. P. Coles, retired as headmaster after 25 years of service, with L. B. Thomas subsequently promoted from deputy head to headmaster.
2022 - April Saunders leaves, with Lee Raftery becoming head.
Houses
The school's houses were previously known as Danes, Normans, Romans and Saxons. Then there was a period when they were known as Darwin, Newton, Rutherford and Salk. They are now known as Discovery, Challenger, Endeavour, Voyager and Apollo to reflect the school's status as a Science College. In the academic year of 2023, the names are changing to birds of prey. The plan is to change Apollo to Hawk, Challenger to Eagle, Discovery to Osprey Endeavour to Kestrel and Voyager to Falcon.
Professor Alan Journet Ph.D. Professor of Biology and Environmental Science, Southeast Missouri State University 1980 - 2010; co-founder and co-facilitator of Southern Oregon Climate Action Now (https://socan.eco)
