Verulam School

Verulam School
School badge used from before September 2021
Address
Brampton Road St Albans, Hertfordshire , AL1 4PR England
Coordinates	51°45′19″N 0°18′58″W
Information
School type	11–18 converter academy
Motto	Faire Mon Devoir (French: “To do my duty”)
Established	1938
Founder	R.F Bradshaw
Local authority	Hertfordshire
Trust	Ambition Education Trust
Department for Education URN	137038 Tables
Ofsted	Reports
Head teacher	Mr Fergal Moane
Staff	107[1]
Gender of entry	Boys (with girls allowed in the sixth form)
Age range	11 to 18
Enrolment	1066 pupils[2] (28 November 2023)
Houses	Brampton, Churchill, Hamilton, Jennings, Park, York
Colour(s)	Blue and gold
Publication	Verulam Vox, Spotlight On, end of term Newsletter
Website	www.verulamschool.co.uk

Verulam School is an 11–18 boys state–funded secondary school with academy status in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England, founded in 1938 as St Albans Boys' Modern School.^[3]

The name was changed in the 1940s to St Albans Grammar School for Boys and in 1975 to Verulam School, based on the Roman name for St Albans (Verulamium).

Background

The school caters for boys between the ages of 11 and 18. Boys can stay on into the Sixth Form, which provides provision for both male and female students from other schools.

The school works in partnership with two neighbouring schools, Sandringham School and Beaumont School, to enhance post-16 educational provision. The partnership, named 'BeauSandVer', enables students to travel between schools for A Level subjects.^{[citation needed]}

Overview

School performance

A Herts for Learning review in January 2018 rated the school 'Good' and highlighted improvements in the areas criticised by an Ofsted inspection in 2017. A further inspection by Ofsted in July 2018 reached the conclusion that Safeguarding is effective and noted that the school had responded to the October inspection "with great urgency". In September 2018 the school joined the Alban Academy Trust. An Ofsted inspection in October 2018 judged the school to be Good.^[4]

In a Kirkland Rowell independent survey of Parents in February 2020, 89% of parents said they would recommend the school.^[5]

Houses

There are a total of six houses at the school ― Brampton, Churchill, Hamilton, Jennings, Park and York. Until 1975, Verulam School had four names, with their names originating from the streets near the school ― Brampton, Hamilton, Jennings and Park. By 1975, the school became a comprehensive school, and given its increase in enrolment numbers, an additional two houses were added ― York and Churchill, also named after nearby streets.^[6]

Early history

The school first opened as St Albans Boys’ Modern on April 26th 1938. This was an unusual time in the academic year for such an event, a fact that probably helped to account for the small number of entries. Only 54 boys mustered in the hall for the first assembly which was attended by the Chairman of the Governors. Mr. E L Hadfield M.A. J.P. C.C. and by others concerned in the inauguration of the School. The School's foundation was due to a realisation that there was insufficient provision of secondary education in certain areas of the county Consequently over a relatively short period, four new schools were established by the Hertfordshire Education Committee, the first at East Barnet, two simultaneously at Cheshunt and St Albans and lastly at Welwyn Garden City.

Alumni

• Colin Blunstone (b. 1945) pop singer and songwriter, member of The Zombies pop group^[7]
• Jeremy Butterworth (b. 1969) playwright, film-script writer and film director^{[8][better source needed]}
• Simon Evans (b. 1965) comedian^{[citation needed]}
• Steve Reed (politician) born 1963^[9]
• Peter Rehberg (1968-2021) electronic musician, founder of the Mego (label)^[10]
• John Sessions (1953-2020) British actor and comedian^[11]
• Geoff Shreeves (b. 1964) footballer commentator^[12]
• Chris White (b. 1943) pop singer, songwriter and bass guitarist, member of The Zombies pop group

References

1. "Verulam School GOV.UK Tables". Schools Financial Benchmarking. 2021–2022. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
2. "Verulam School Information about Schools". 28 November 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
3. "A brief History of the School". Verulam School. Archived from the original on 18 November 2008. Retrieved 26 February 2009.
4. "Verulam School Ofsted report October 2018". October 2018.
5. "Head's News – 10th January". Verulam School. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
6. "Houses". Verulam School. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
7. "Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone from the Zombies play hometown gig". 16 June 2008.
8. "Jeremy 'Jez' Butterworth - Playwright Encyclopedia".
9. Baksi, Catherine. "On a mission". lawgazette.co.uk. Law Society Gazette. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
10. "The Quietus | Features | Remember Them... | You Don't Have To Rob A Bank: The Roots Of Peter Rehberg". The Quietus.
11. "John Sessions recalls his life in St Albans". Herts Advertiser. 28 July 2012.
12. "Fox Sports Geoff Shreeves Biography". playerswiki.com. Players Wiki. Retrieved 8 February 2019.