The Royal Liberty School occupies a unique position in the Havering educational landscape, operating as a standalone boys secondary school with a heritage dating back to 1921. Based in the historic Hare Hall, a Grade II listed Palladian mansion in Gidea Park, the school combines its traditional surroundings with a contemporary, high-performing curriculum. Serving approximately 750 students, it offers a more intimate environment than many of London's larger comprehensive schools. Recent performance metrics are particularly strong; the school currently sits in the top 25% of schools in England for GCSE outcomes. This success is underpinned by a significant capital investment programme that recently delivered a new main building and sports facilities, effectively bridging the gap between its 18th century architectural roots and 21st century educational requirements.
The atmosphere at The Royal Liberty School is defined by a sense of belonging and a clear respect for its history. Hare Hall, built in 1769, remains the heart of the school, providing a grand and inspiring backdrop for daily life. However, this is not a school stuck in the past. The addition of the Hare Building in 2021 provided state of the art Science and Design Technology suites, ensuring the physical environment supports modern learning.
Mr Lee Raftery, the Headteacher, has led the school since 2022 after previously serving as Deputy Head. His focus remains on high expectations and a culture of aspiration. The school's name itself refers to the Royal Liberty of Havering, and there is a palpable sense of local pride among the students. Behaviour is consistently noted as a strength, with students moving through the historic corridors with purpose and politeness. The smaller than average size of the school means that staff know students well, fostering a community where boys feel seen and supported rather than just another number in a large cohort.
The Royal Liberty School ranks 1117th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and 8th among secondaries in Havering, placing it comfortably within the top 25% of schools in England.
Academic performance is particularly impressive when looking at student progress. The school's Progress 8 score of +0.47 indicates that students make nearly half a grade more progress across their subjects than similar students in England. The Attainment 8 score stands at 51.1, which is significantly above the England average. Furthermore, 27.1% of students achieved Grade 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) subjects, reflecting a rigorous focus on core academic disciplines including languages, sciences, and humanities.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
Teaching follows a structured and ambitious model designed to engage boys and foster independent thinking. The curriculum is broad at Key Stage 3 before narrowing into a range of GCSE options that include traditional academic subjects alongside more vocational pathways. Teachers demonstrate expert subject knowledge and use it to challenge students effectively.
A significant emphasis is placed on The Royal Liberty Way, which encourages students to take responsibility for their own learning and progress. Regular assessment and feedback are integral to the classroom experience, with students encouraged to reflect on their own work and identify areas for improvement. Science and Technology are particularly popular and well resourced, benefiting from the recently constructed specialist laboratories. The 2024 Ofsted report confirms that the school has very high expectations of students' conduct and behaviour, which pupils rise to.
Quality of Education
N/A
Behaviour & Attitudes
N/A
Personal Development
N/A
Leadership & Management
Good
As a school for ages 11 to 16, the focus on post-16 progression begins early. Without an internal sixth form, the school has developed strong links with local colleges and sixth form providers, including Havering Sixth Form College and Campion School.
The school provides a robust careers programme that meets the Gatsby Benchmarks, ensuring every student has multiple encounters with employers and further education providers. The high Progress 8 scores mean that the majority of students are well positioned to access their first choice level 3 courses, whether they be A levels or advanced apprenticeships. Approximately 82% of leavers remain in education, with over half progressing to further education colleges.
Admissions are coordinated by Havering Local Authority. The Royal Liberty School is consistently oversubscribed, reflecting its popularity among families seeking a single sex environment. In the most recent intake cycle, there were 508 applications for 143 offers, resulting in a subscription proportion of 3.55.
The last distance offered for a place in 2024 was 1.316 miles. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place. While the school is non-selective, the high demand means that families living beyond the immediate Gidea Park and Romford areas may find securing a place difficult unless they meet other priority criteria, such as having a sibling already at the school.
As a state-funded academy within the Success for All Educational Trust (SFAET), there are no tuition fees at The Royal Liberty School. Families are not required to pay for core curriculum delivery, though there are standard costs associated with school life, such as the purchase of the school uniform, optional music tuition, and school trips. The school works to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent students from participating in enrichment activities, and families eligible for Pupil Premium may receive additional support for these costs.
Applications
508
Total received
Places Offered
143
Subscription Rate
3.5x
Apps per place
Pastoral care is a cornerstone of the school’s identity. The house system (Eagle, Hawk, Kestrel, Falcon, and Osprey) provides a layer of support that encourages healthy competition and a sense of family. Each student is part of a tutor group that meets daily, providing a consistent point of contact for both students and parents.
The school takes a proactive approach to mental health and wellbeing, with trained staff available to support students through the challenges of adolescence. Bullying is handled swiftly and effectively, with a clear focus on restorative justice and education. The latest Ofsted inspection in February 2024 rated the school as Good, noting that the school provides a very high level of pastoral care for pupils.
The extracurricular life of the school is varied and active, designed to provide boys with outlets for creativity and physical energy. Sport is a major pillar, with the school taking advantage of its extensive grounds and sports hall for football, rugby, and athletics.
STEM is a major focus, with clubs allowing students to engage in advanced experiments beyond the standard curriculum. The school also participates in regional robotics competitions and coding challenges. Music and Drama are revitalised, with annual productions taking place in the school’s historic hall and a variety of ensembles for those learning instruments. Other notable activities include the Debating Society and Chess Club, which are popular during lunch breaks.
The school day begins at 8:40am and concludes at 3:10pm. While there is no formal wraparound care for secondary-aged students, a variety of clubs run before and after school. The school is well served by public transport, located within walking distance of Gidea Park station (Elizabeth Line), making it accessible for students from across the borough. Parking is very limited on Upper Brentwood Road, and the school encourages walking or use of public transport for the daily commute.
The Royal Liberty School is a high-performing and historically rich institution that offers a unique educational experience in East London. Its combination of strong academic progress (Progress 8 of +0.47) and a supportive, single sex community makes it a standout choice for boys in the Havering area. It is best suited to families who value a traditional school structure and high academic expectations within a smaller, more personal environment. The main challenge for prospective parents is navigating the competitive admissions process.
Yes. The Royal Liberty School is currently rated Good by Ofsted (latest inspection February 2024) and achieves academic results well above the England average. It ranks 8th locally in Havering and sits in the top 25% of schools in England based on GCSE performance and student progress.
Results are strong, with an Attainment 8 score of 51.1 and a Progress 8 score of +0.47. This indicates that students make significantly better progress here than the average student in England. Over a quarter of students successfully achieve the EBacc at Grade 5 or above.
Yes, the school is highly popular. In the most recent cycle, there were 508 applications for 143 offers, resulting in a subscription proportion of 3.55 applications for every available place.
There is no fixed catchment boundary, but places are allocated based on distance after priority groups. In 2024, the last distance offered was 1.316 miles. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.
No, The Royal Liberty School provides education for boys aged 11 to 16 only. Students typically move on to local sixth form colleges or other secondary schools with post-16 provision in Havering.
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