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. They were named 'Modern Schools', ‘modern' having a markedly different meaning from that which it acquired later. They were to provide a five year course to School Certificate, the instruction given was to have a practical bias while the post-Certificate course was limited to one year which implied a change of school for boys requiring a Higher School Certificate.
The demands of the School Certificate largely decided the curriculum. There was no extra provision for the teaching of the 'practical subjects', while in the event there was a reluctance of pupils to change schools at 16. These factors combined with altered circumstances arising during and after World War II meant that the original aims for these schools were never properly realised.
St Albans Boys' Modern School opened 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 was administered under the terms of its own Articles of Government, had a Board of Governors, and a staff consisting of the Head Master and five Assistant Masters. The official opening by Sir Cyril Norwood. President of St John's College. Oxford, and formerly Head Master of Harrow School, who was well known in the world of education, took place on October 2nd in the same year. In the previous September the number of boys had doubled with the first full two-form intake of 10-11 year olds. In accordance with the Hertfordshire regulations, one third of these entrants were awarded free places, the remainder paid fees. though partial or total remission was available to Parents who could prove inability to pay the full amount.
The school had been in existence only four terms when World War II broke out, bringing the threat of call-up [ compulsory military service ] demands. A young, and growing school was threatened with a particularly difficult situation, for it had no group of masters likely to be certain of exemption from serving in the armed forces on account of age, who could form a staff nucleus; while expanding pupil numbers necessitated a larger staff. However, conditions never seemed to become as bad as was feared they might, recourse was had to the employment of women teachers, somewhat unusual in a boys' school in those days. Although the situation towards the end of the War seemed at times to be almost desperate, it never became impossible.
In 1940 a further complication was caused by the need to provide accommodation for an evacuated school ( Bexhill Grammar ). But as the 'host' School did not occupy all the available teaching space, no resort to part-time education was necessary, and when the fear of invasion receded, the visitors returned home to Hastings.
In 1941 the first boys were entered for the School Certificate, in July 1942 for the Higher School Certificate, and in December 1942 came the winning of the first University Scholarship - to Balliol College, Oxford. This success was naturally very helpful in establishing the academic status of the school.
The growth in the population of St Albans and its surrounding areas caused the expansion to a three-form entry. Several years of cramped conditions were relieved by a building programme, which resulted in the provision from 1961 onwards of a new, up-to-date science block, dining accommodation and extra classrooms. The former ' Modern School' became firmly established as a three-form entry grammar school with a 6th Form of considerable size providing a regular supply of entrants to the Universities, Polytechnics and similar institutions. In the sphere of administration the implementation of the 1944 ' Butler' Education Act made admission dependent on success in the 11+ examination.
The first Head Master, R F Bradshaw, retired in December 1967, having held the post for exactly 30 years. He was succeeded by another Cambridge graduate, M C Morgan, Senior Mathematics Master at Worcester Royal Grammar School. To him fell the considerable task of changing the School from a grammar to a comprehensive, the altered status commencing in September 1975. The school, and most of the country’s secondary schools, were in turmoil for part of this period. Teaching staff practiced lightning strikes, with consequent disruption. Boys sometimes had to be sent home due to absence of staff to teach them.
Michael Morgan retired in 1987, after 20 years during which, despite enormous difficulties, the reputation and achievements of the school were enhanced. The annual intake was raised to 5 forms covering the whole ability range, which meant ultimately an increase in size to 1,000 boys. The name was changed to Verulam School.
His successor, Mr. R V Hawkes, joined Verulam School in 1980 as second Deputy Head. Appointed Head Teacher in April 1989, he led the school to greater heights of academic achievement whilst providing considerable impetus to development of musical activities in which he took a very active role He developed Public Relations and was very successful in raising awareness of the school’s achievements. He retired in December 2000 after 20 years at the school of which 11 were as Head Teacher
Mr. M R Anderson was appointed Head Teacher in January 2001. Under his leadership, in 2003, the School became a Specialist Technology College. An additional block of classrooms, named “The Bradshaw Building” was built to permit the number of pupils to be increased to a total of 1,200.
During his period of office, girls were admitted to the School Roll, in the 6 th. Form. In July 2004, Mark Anderson left to take up a Headship in Merseyside.
Deputy Head Geoff Brown became Acting Headmaster for the Autumn term, 2004.
In January 2005, David Kellaway M.A. was appointed as Headmaster, only the fifth Head of School in its 67-year existence.
In November 2005, the construction of a Sports Hall commenced.