MR. MARK MORRALL (1997- 2003) – HEADMASTER

 

I assume everyone knows that there are now onyl two surviving Headmasters: Lance Thomas [who "resigned" in 1996] and the current incumbant - Mark Morrall who took over in 1997. There was a temporary stand-in between these two - one Sam Berwitz. The School currently is on special measures after an unfavourable OFSTED inspection in 1996 [generally believed to be as a result of some hidden agenda or axe to grind because the inspectors were determined to ignore all that was good and exaggerate anything that was not up to scratch]. Mark Morrall informs me that the last inspection was very favourable and anticipates the end of special measures by Christmas or thereabouts. (Peter Benson)

Mr. Morrall is quoted in The Times Educational Supplement (answering a question about how head teachers were planning to
spend their shares of theŁ300 million to be channelled directly into schools under Chancellor Gordon Brown's Budget measures):
Mark Morrall, Head teacher, Royal Liberty school, Romford, Essex (520 pupil secondary school)
"We will keep on developing teaching and learning styles through information and communications technology and individualised study programmes. The rest of the money will be used to support staffing which is always difficult in a small school where you don't have the economy of scale you have in a larger school."

I think Mark Morrall is good at promoting the RLS, and indeed the numbers of parents wishing to send their munchkins there has increased slightly. Rachel Ward (RLS 1999 - present) explained to me that because the RLS is not a selective school it has to take on all of those extra applicants, rather than just the "best" 120 (120 was the previous usual intake), and a new House was created for them. Because the Vikings have less pupils that the other First Year houses, I thought it was set-up especially for either the most able or most disruptive, so they wouldn't be impaired by being with the "average" pupils or vice-versa. But Rachel says this is not the case, and it's just another House. I don't understand the thought-process behind this. Actually RW seems to me to be an excellent teacher - I've seen her teaching drama a few times. I'd quite like to have been a pupil of hers. BTW, she's Mark Morrall's wife. I'll let you all know if his cousins and nephews start being appointed into senior management positions. (Adrian Thompson)

Here's some news to gladden the hearts of RLS Old Boys all over the world!! Extracts from article that appeared in the Romford Recorder dated 09/02/01
'A Romford school once slammed as a "failure" has silenced its critics by being named as one of the most improved schools in the UK. Pupils, governors, and staff from the Royal Liberty School in Upper Brentwood Road were celebrating this week after being told the school had been included in the OFSTED Chief Inspector of School's list of most improved schools. The school underwent a radical shake-up after being heavily criticised by the education watchdogs back in 1996. The school was slated for "failures in the spiritual, moral and cultural development of its pupils". But this week Mr Mark Morrall (Headteacher) said he was "absolutely delighted" with the progress and improvements made at the school which enabled it to be removed from special measure status exactly one year ago.
...."We are looking to continue and accelerate the improvements in every aspect of our students' education", said Mr Morrall.
Chair of governors, Mr Gary Woodman, said: "The governors are extremely pleased with the excellent progress made through the leadership of Mark Morrall. Supported by the staff he has enabled the school to improve to this extent and we are looking ahead to taking the school forward in the future".
This text is accompanied by a picture of a smiling Mr Morrall surrounded by cheerful-looking young students with thumbs raised holding a large school flag. After reading the contris of some months ago when some of you first found out about the predicament of the school I think you will all agree this is a major step forward for RLS and congrats are due to all concerned, both staff and pupils.
Maybe a letter from our moderator on behalf of all the group members would add further encouragement. At this point I raise my bottle of Stella Artois to toast the RLS!! (Neil Trusler)

If Ofsted said in 1996 that RLS was failing, rest assured it was failing. It's the very same Ofsted (just a different CIoS) who are reporting so positively now, so if they say the RLS is worthy of inclusion on the "most improved" list, they're Not Wrong. I agree with Neil "this is a major step forward for RLS and congrats are due to all concerned, both staff and pupils."
I would also second his proposal: Maybe a letter from our moderator on behalf of all the group members would add further encouragement. Sure the kids don't know us from Adam (and probably care less) but I'll bet a good few of them care about *their* school and feel some sort of pride in how they're seen now. But Mark Morrall certainly knows of us and will, I'm sure, be receiving some sort of encouragement from the "official" Old Libertians.
Our "extra" pat-on-the-back will be appreciated! ...and we want to ensure future membership don't we! (DGM)

The Motion "That a letter be sent to the School from our Moderator on behalf of the Group expressing our congratulations to all Staff and Pupils" has been Proposed and Seconded in accordance with our very strict rules of debate [see List Constitution, Article IX, Section 3, sub-para (iv)]. I am happy to comply (Andy)

The Romford Recorder article reporting the School's recent achievements in raising standards is now in the Library. See ... School Years ... 2000-2001. In accordance with your wishes and in the absence of any negative response I have written to Mr. Morrall with our congratulations. The text of my letter is appended (Andy)

Dear Mr. Morrall,
I am writing in my capacity as Chairman of 'RLSOldBoys', the internet association of former pupils and former staff of RLS. You may recall that several of us attended the Old Libertians' Reunion last July.
The members have asked me to write to offer our sincere congratulations to you, the staff, pupils, governors and parents on the recent OFSTED announcement regarding the continuing progress at our old School and, in particular, on its inclusion on the list of most improved schools. Rarely in its history can the School Motto have been more appropriate.
As well as sharing memories of our own schooldays, our 100 members – whose school recollections range from 1936 to 1998 - take a keen interest in life at Hare Hall today and their genuine delight on hearing the good news has been widely expressed.
Those still living locally often share items from the local press with fellow ex-pupils now resident in Australia, Canada, USA, Norway, South Africa, Holland, Singapore and all parts of the UK, and we have several modern photographs in our on-line library.
We congratulate you on your recent achievements and look forward to hearing of continued progress.
Semper Procedens. Yours sincerely, Andy (A.H.) Lee

REPLY (to David Silverside's request for an Old Boys visit to RLS) 24 April (2001)

Dear Mr Silverside
Thank you for your kind letter. I would be pleased to tour a group of "old boys" while school is in action. Thursdays or Fridays from May 17/18 would be fine. Please liaise with Gill Marvell (P.A.) regarding tour date.
It would be excellent if any of the tour party could address as assembly from 8.45 am Thursday in Years 10/11 (upper school) and Friday is years7/8/9 (lower school). Assembly lasts no more than 10 minutes.
Let me know when you have agreed a potential date.
Yours sincerely, M Morrall - Head Teacher

You may ( or may not) be attracted by the thought, however, that Mr.Morrall's eyes twinkled (in a glazed kind of way) at the thought of an RLSOld Boy sliding down the spiral banister! Apparently they don't do that sort of thing today! Well, not until last July 8th... (David Maltby)