Schools/Education in Llangiwg parish

(and surrounding area)

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This is a collection of references to local education which have been organised by village and then randomly without attempting to place references to particular schools together.

Sources/References

There are two invaluable local source books that form the backbone of this section;

Further sources (colour coded);

Further general reading;

 

Place Name Index

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Ammanford

Betws

Brynamman

Cilybebyll

Cwmgors

Cwmllynfell & Cwmtwrch

Garnant/Glanamman

Gellionnen

Godre'rgraig

Gwauncaegurwen

Gwrhyd

Pontardawe & Llangiwg

Rhydyfro & Baran

Tairgwaith

Ynysmeudwy

Ystalyfera

 

 

 

Introduction

From   History of Pontardawe and District

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INTRODUCTION

Six periods stand out in the educational development at Pontardawe  and District: first, the Charity Welsh schools of Griffith Jones, Llanddowror; second, self-appointed headmasters, who kept small private schools; third, the enterprise of the local people in erecting schoolrooms in about 1860-1870; fourth, the School Board taking control in the 1870s; fifth, in 1903, the Glamorgan Education Authority exercised their powers through the Divisional Executive Committee, which meets at Swansea. Mr. T. Gwyn Jones, M.A., is the first Divisional Executive Officer for West Glamorgan.

The historian, Professor Glanmor Williams, J.P., D.Litt., in his usual beautiful prose, writes about Griffith Jones: "To Jones more than any man, the Welsh owed a massive break-through to literacy. It was this which scaled the success of the Methodist Revival and the triumph of Nonconformity with all their immense attendant consequences for Welsh life. It did more than anything else to preserve and fortify the Welsh language and literature, of which the Bible was the corner-stone. If the Welsh of the last century and this have had an unusual respect for education and love of learning, credit for the origins of this is in large measure Griffith Jones's. He himself, limited in aims and circumscribed in vision, might be staggered and even appalled at what his handiwork has subsequently wrought. He none the less remains one of the prime makers of modern Wales and one of Britain's most notable educational pioneers.

National Schools under the Church of England, and British Schools under Nonconformists were administered by local committees, who received grants. National schools were held at Clydach, Pontardawe and Ystalyfera, and British schools at Clydach, Craigcefnparc, Penclyn, Rhydyfro and Gwauncaegurwen. Industrialists like Thomas Harper, Ynysgelynnen, and William Parsons, Pontardawe, M. N. Miers, a landowner of Clydach, and James Palmer Budd of Ystalyfera, and George Crane of Ystradgynlais, strong supporters of the Church of England, promoted National schools in their localities, but elsewhere the strong element of Nonconformists opened British schools. A more detailed account of the development of education in the various villages will be given later.

After the passing of the Education Act of 1870, the schools came under elected representatives who formed School Boards in different parishes. Later almost all the landowners and industrialists were ousted by yeomen, farmers, ministers of religion and workmen. After the Act of 1902, the Glamorgan Education Authority exercised their powers through the Divisional Executive Committee, which meets at Swansea.

Schools are divided into two stages according to the age of the pupils into Primary and Secondary. Primary schools are divided into Infant and Junior Schools. Infant schools are for children from the age of five years (the compulsory school age) to about the age of eight, and Junior for pupils from about eight to eleven plus. Before the age of five, children may go to Nursery schools, but in this district they arc often admitted to Infant schools at four years of age.

There arc six secondary schools in the Pontardawe District: two grammar schools, one at Ystalyfera and one at Pontardawe, a technical secondary school at Pontardawe, and three secondary modern schools: one at Clydach, one at Gwauncaegurwen and one at Pontardawe. At Ystradgynlais there is a comprehensive secondary school. To enter grammar and technical secondary schools, pupils must pass a competitive entrance examination at eleven plus and thirteen years respectively. The remainder attend the secondary modern schools. Grammar schools give academic education, the technical provides education for those whose abilities are of a more practical character. Secondary modern schools give general and practical education. All the secondary schools are intended to be of equal status.

 

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

In addition to the regular education received at the schools, there were school health services with free medical inspection and advice, and maladjusted pupils were treated in clinics. Dental treatment was given in the clinic at the Pontardawe Infant School.

School meals and milk were provided in school canteens. The midday meal usually consisted of a two-course lunch, the present charge (1964) being 1/- per meal. One-third pint of milk was available free for each child.

Special educational facilities were received by mentally retarded pupils, and those who were handicapped by physical, mental or emotional disabilities. The County Education Authority provided for delicate, partially sighted, blind, deaf and handicapped children in other ways.

Students and pupils had financial assistance, when their parents were in need, to buy clothing and school uniforms. Grants were given to encourage older pupils to get the full benefit of Grammar School education. Students were also awarded grants to pursue courses in Universities and Further Education Institutions.

The radio, film, gramophone, television and other modern visual, aural and mechanical aids were supplied by the Education Authority, as well as libraries of not only books, but of films, film-strips, tape-recorders and records.

When children left school, the Youth Employment Service gave information and advice about suitable employment, unemployment insurance and assistance to those under eighteen years of age.

 

EDUCATIONAL RECORDS

For every pupil in schools, a record of the following was kept: Christian names and surname, schools, home address, Welsh speaking (yes or no), understands Welsh (yes or no), date of birth, progress through classes, date of admission, age on admission, date of last attendance.

Home circumstances were divided into five categories denoted by letters of the alphabet E.D.C.B.A., Occupation(s) and names of parents or guardians; Welsh or English speaking of father and of mother. Pupil's position in family.

Physical condition was recorded with teachers' remarks, any special disability, school Medical Officer's report and recommendations, notes of treatment and results and previous illnesses. Attendance: year, possible, actual, health rating, nature of absence with reasons.

Intelligence: Teachers' estimate E.D.C.B.A. Objective tests of intelligence, attainment tests used, word test, number test and results.

School work: year and form, intelligence quotient (I.Q.) and rank in form. Attainment rank in (1) languages and literature, (2) social studies, (3) sciences, (4) mathematics, (5) arts and crafts, physical education, other subjects, games and offices held.

A record was made of certificates obtained in public examinations, outstanding abilities and achievements (in or out of school), outstanding interests and hobbies (in or out of school; intellectual, practical, aesthetic, social and physical). Comments were made on potentialities and aptitudes, estimate of chiaracter and temperament: using the scale, E.D.C.B.A. on self-confidence, capacity for responsibility, self-criticism, perseverance, conscientiousness, sociability and stability.

Pupils' vocational preferences and parents' vocational preferences were taken before the headteacher's recommendations were written. Account was also kept of Further Education, and occupation.

 

GENERAL COMMENTS

 In 1738, the itinerant schools of Griffith Jones came to Llangiwg, as shown in the Annual Report of the Welch Piety. In that year, fifty-six pupils attended. The following year the number of scholars increased to 84, and in 1740-1 to 96, and in Gelligron in the same year the maximum number of 135 attended. Fifty seven scholars enrolled in Llangiwg in 1744-5, and in the same year, forty-two attended at the Parish Church.

Afterwards numbers decreased to twenty-four in 1745-6,  and to fifteen in the Parish Church in 1748-9.  Education was at a low ebb in the eighteenth century. The Rev. Thomas Jenkins, Minister of Llanguick, wrote to the Rev. Griffith Jones on June 8, 1741: "A Welch School is very much wanted here; for there are a great many of my Parishioners ignorant and poor, which I hope you will take into consideration."

In the meantime, Sunday Schools were not only a means of religious instruction but also of elementary education and this spread chiefly under the influence of Thomas Charles of Bala.

 

Ammanford

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Betws

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Brynamman

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Education at Brynamman

In 1800, the sparse population of Gwterfawr, later known as Brynamman, was scattered in farms. No schools, no church nor chapel, no main road, no industry, no public houses existed here at the beginning of the nineteenth century.

In 1825, on the bank of Gwterfawr, Dafydd William, Cwmgarw, held a day school on Twyn-y-cacwn in Gitto Goch's house.
The meagre eqnipment consisted of three books, a slate or two and an ABC card with letters as big as hands. The lack of equipment, furniture and books were, to some extent, compensated for by the ability and personality of Dafydd William, who in body was over six feet tall, strong and shapely. He was also head and shoulders above his friends and associates as a story teller, and in knowledge. His listeners enjoyed his wise and lively repartee. In (1832-34) he had his school at Dollgraig Cottage above Cwmtrubit. In this school he divided pupils according to ability and age into three classes: Big Class, Middle Class and a Coal-house Class

The experience of a boy in schools at the beginning of the second half of the nineteenth century gives information about the development in the area. When he was six or seven years of age, he attended William Edwards' school held in a loft near Bridgend Inn, Gwterfawr. Later Richard Williams taught him in a school held in a house beyond Waun Esgyrn, near Garnant. Although all the pupils were monoglot Welsh, only English was allowed to be spoken here, and if anyone used his native tongue, he had to carry the " Welsh Note " or " Welsh Not ": a square board with a cord through it to suspend from the neck of the culprit. The board had two letters, W.N., prominently carved on it.

When boys reached the age of eight years, they started working in a local colliery. School attendance of children was not compulsory in those days. Some boys left the mine to attend Capel Bach school, situated on a field near the railway which ran from Llanelly to Gwterfawr. This school was held under the auspices of the Church of England, Cwmamman.

Later William Prosser's school at the Crofte was far more modern than the previously mentioned ones, for he played games with the boys, introduced maps for the first time, brought tonic sol-fa to the school children; and in the evening he taught sol-fa to adults. In Thomas Davies's school, held in the clnb room of the Farmers Arms, the boys learnt the tables.

If boys happened to work with intelligent men, their education was not entirely neglected. At dinner time, workers formed a class to read in Welsh, write Welsh verses and essays, and compose a Welsh speech or sing a song. Although the Act of 1842 regnlated hours of work, boys under ten years of age still worked twelve hours a day for six days a week.

In 1856, workers started paying one penny in the pound of their earnings towards a school for children, and soon it was raised to twopence. The Government gave a grant to supplement the workers' contributions for the new school held at Gibea Vestry.
Keen and competent teachers taught the children in this school where George Gill was one of the first schoolmasters. He was short, lively, energetic and full of work during the week-days, and also on Sundays when he preached with the English Wesleyans at Cross Inn, now known as Ammanford. In 1860, Gill relinquished Gibea Vestry school to become a headmaster at Liverpool. Afterwards he published school books under the publishers' names of George Gill and Son. He started the first public library at Brynamman, which was a success in his time.

Another noted schoolmaster, Thomas Jones, M.A., afterwards known as Thomas Jones, inspector of schools, followed George Gill. Unlike Mr. Gill, he was a Welshman, which proved advantageons. In 1867, John H. Phillips succeeded Jones, and Phillips was followed by Albert S. Payne in April 1868. In 1869, the new British Schools (now County Schools) were opened, and Mr. Payne's staff at the time were: John Thomas Evans, afterwards headmaster in London; D. Watkin Williams, later headmaster of Bargoed schools; D. Prince Davies, who became headmaster at Llangathen, and Richard Lewis subsequently of Cwmtwrch schools.

Mr. Payne left in 1869, and James Williams filled the vacancy, and continued until 1873, when he left to become headmaster of Wern schools, Ystalyfera. He was followed by Henry Jones (late Sir Henry Jones, C.H.), who had passed out of the Normal College, Bangor, and when he was twenty years of age, he took charge of the Elementary School at Brynamman.

In his autobiography, Sir Henry writes:
"The school was new: the boundary walls had not been built. It consisted of a long room with several large windows, and a separate porch and lobby for boys and girls, together with a classroom opening out of it; and there were 190 children's names on the register. In a few months the names on the school register went up from 190 to 430. An addition eqnal in size to the original school had to be built."
Henry Jones loved music and he himself tanght it to his apt pupils.
" It was not necessary," he writes, " to make plans for training black-birds and thrushes; and song was not more natural to the birds than to my children."
He held two school concerts while he was headmaster, first The Cantata of the Birds by Joseph Parry, and second, Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. After two very successful years he left to become a student at Glasgow University. He wrote:
" I lift my hat in reverence and gratitude when I think of the working men and women of Brynamman."
The staff with Henry Jones were exceptional: T. M. Evans, M.A., Brynamman, afterwards at Ammanford; John Jones, the Rev. Joseph Jones, M.A., Brynamman, who became pastor at Sutton; Morgan Morgan, afterwards head-teacher at Borth; Tom Evans, later head-teacher at Portmadoc schools.

In 1875, James Gibbs, Swansea, followed Henry Jones as head-teacher of Brynamman Elementary School, and continued until he retired in 1896. Both were employed by the Amman Iron Works. The Works Pay List, month ending June 14, 1879, gives the following particulars:

During Mr. Gibb's illness, Mr. James Leonard filled the gap from May 11th, 1896, to June 15, 1896.
Mr. Jenkin Jones (brother of Rev. Towyn Jones, M.P.) succeeded Mr. Gibbs in 1896, and Mr. Jones was a very capable head and was well liked by pupils and parents.

The next headmaster, Mr. John George, filled the post for twenty-five years, and before that he taught in the same school for twenty-two years. He took an active part in the social life of the village, became a member of Llandilo Rural District Council in 1925, and in 1956 he acted as chairman of the Finance Committee.

For eighteen years he was one of the governors of the Amman Valley Grammar School, and in 1955-1956 he was elected chairman of the governors. Mr. George was an ardent Churchman. He played as out-side half for Brynamman Rugby Football Club in 1913-14, and continued to be a member of the club.

In 1955, Mr. Talbot Davies succeeded Mr. George as head-teacher of Brynamman County Primary School.

At the end of the year 1893, the Amman Iron Works Company, under Mr. Strick sold the Brynamman School to he Llandilo School Board for £1,200.
Amman Iron Works Company had a school here before the new building was erected, particularly under Mr. Strick, independently of the School Board, and the workmen paid a small amount out of every pound of their earnings to maintain the school. Mr. Strick gave £700 of the money received for the school towards the building of a public hall in the place.

After an increase in population in Lower Brynamman, the Llangiwg School Board, in 1895, built a new school on the Glynbeudy land below Park Street.
Mr. Griffith Morgan (b. July 1868, d. January 1933) was the first head-teacher of the Banwen School or Glyn School, as now known, which opened in 1896. Mr. Morgan served as a pupil teacher at Cwmllynfell and afterwards proceeded to Bangor Normal College. He taught at Derby, Tylorstown and Gwauncaegurwen schools before obtaining the post at Banwen or Glyn School. When the school opened, two hundred children attended, and the number increased to three hundred.

Many changes in accommodation, equipment, subjects and methods of teaching took place in Mr. Morgan's time. A new corridor and teachers' room were built, and a new Infant's school. Dual desks superseded the old long, backless forms and paper replaced slates. In his early days, the three R 's - reading, writing and arithmetic - were the primary subjects. Organized games, illustrated walks, school museum, brush drawing, clay-modelling, concerts, dental clinic, medical examinations, milk for children, individual work, phonetic method, school library, elementary science, teaching of Welsh, Labour and Scholarship examinations - all these were introduced in his time. Griffith Morgan moved with the times and he attended summer schools at the Royal College of Science, London, the Welsh School al Llanwrtyd and science courses at Swansea. He had travelled widely in the British Isles and in European countries. He took a deep interest in his young teachers and gave them special lessons before and after school hours. Hundreds of evening class stndents found in him not only an able teacher but also an artificer of mind and noble life.

 

 Cilybebyll

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Education in Cilybebyll

The first school that we know about in Alltwen and the parish of Cilybebyll was the one started by the Independent cause. It is certain that it was working in 1760,and possibly before that. There is no record as to who were the teachers. There was another school in the middle of the parish in a place now called Llwyn Celyn,the home of William Evans ---- between Cilybebyll Mansion and Ystalefera,where one with the surname Sherbone resided at that time.

Early in the last century,around 1819,a schoolhouse was built in Rhos Brynhir by subsciptions on parish land ---- it was called Ysgol Plas y Waun. A Henry Lloyd was a schoolmaster there who later went to Cae'r Doc,Pontardawe. The children of local farmers went there --- from Hendrelas, Blaenant,and Cilybebyll Fach. A story was told about one of the Blaenant children named John -- afterwards called Shon Blaenant. He was a strange character with an interesting history (see "Old Characters of Gellinudd"). In this school there was also a. John Wood,a co-pupil with Shon. One day Shon broke one of the rules of Henry Lloyd's school,and was called to account,and John Wood had to carry Shon on his back around the school with the master behind,a stick(similar to the ones used by the mule drovers) in his hand,and thumping the part that was near the floor. Shon writhed under every blow, and by wriggling spurred his two legged 'horse',until John Wood was suffering more pain than was due to him. Possibly the little 'horse' was losing his grip,and the 'horseman' kept slipping until his feet dragged on the earthen floor;and with that, Lloyd started shouting,"Hold him up John Wood,and I'll have his blood out!" Science has developed a great deal since then.Now a revolution has taken place in the butchery world,and instead of bleeding in the rear end as Henry Lloyd did,butchers have changed their methods by bleeding the other end.

The school afterwards became a dwelling house where a John Lewis lived, and his son,now an old man,is living there at present. Later, Howell Gwyn,Esq.,of Dyffryn,built another school at the bottom of the hillside coming down from Alltwen to Rhos,Cilybebyll. In 1839,Mr. Bird was the schoolmaster there,and he also went to Pontardawe. After Bird came David Davies ,a full red blooded. Welshman, but it was English that was taught in the school (Teaching Welsh to the Welsh was a crime).He was a comical man,and is well remembered for his bell and little stick giving us a 'welcome home' on our late return from our wanderings during playtime and dinnertime. Another thing that Davies did was to set offenders --- and there were many at times --- to stand on one leg on a stool,like rows of cockrels,with their hands up holding a slate with their faults written on them,to the shouts of the other pupils. .........

This school was a combination of "elementary school" and "training school". They were taught up to third standard,then the parents were asked to take their children from the school.If they went further,their education would be higher than the schoolmaster. The children were taught to be useful by teaching them to cut firewood,dig the garden,gather manure for the garden along the roads,so that when they left school they were also ready for work.

In 1873,the Council of the Board School (A new council by an act of 1870) built a school in Gellinudd to hold about 400 children,from infants and above. It stands as a memorial to the present age,and looks more like a prison than a school. The names of the members of the first Board were:- Herbert Lloyd,Esq(who was a member until the end of the Board); John Davies(Ieuan Ddu,now in America);David Smith,Esq,;Griffith Lewis,Esq.,Alltycham and Watkin Hopkin,Alltwen.

The school was opened in 1874. The first schoolmaster was John Hale along with his wife.They were there for three years. The writer of these notes has cause to remember them. as long as he lives on this blessed side of life. They moved from here on a Saturday,and George Jenkins and his wife moved in the same day,in November 1877,and they are still here. Some events remain alive in ones mind,and an important event makes me remember the arrival of Mr Jenkins to the place. Sunday morning after their arrival,I went,along with Llewelyn Lewis (Lewis Plasywaun,the chief of the children for making mischief) in through the window of the school to the 'Long Room'. Once inside,we took a wooden horse with wheels under it,and amused ourselves by dragging each other back and fore along the room,making enough noise as if there were twenty children there. Mr Jenkins heard the rumpus,and came in through one of the doors,and as he stood at the door demanding to know what we were doing there,we flew out of the other door,saying "Boreu da",as we went. We were afraid to face the Monday morning in case he would recognise us,but it was not to be. Although we did have an occasional taste of his "order rule",we do not know to this day whether he did or did not remember. It would look very bleak on him if he attempted to punish us today for that great mischief. We can. now 'flick' our fingers at him. Mr Jenkins raised several brilliant pupils,his own son heading the list. He is a 'Doctor of Science',and a barrister. Then there is Jenkins Evans,B.A.,who is a curate; Ernest Rees,B.Sc., a Superintendent of Schools in Glamorganshire; D.Hicks Morgan,B.A.;H.A.Rees,B.A.; William Conelly,B.A.; Emrys Rees,B.Sc.,and many colliery managers. Mr Jenkins is now teaching the children of the first children under his care,and the grandchildren of many he had in night-school.

The Board,comprising Herbert Lloyd,Esq.;David James;Morgan Jones; the Rev.David Jenkins(Rhos),and John Morgan,built a new school at the bottom of Alltwen in 1903,where George Jenkins,now an old man,is headmaster. There are many assistant teachers,and places for 600 children.

In 1883 - 84,an Infants school was built on the hillside of Craig yr Alltwen with room for 200 and more children. The schoolmistress here for many years was Mrs B.Morgan. The present schoolmistress is Miss James.

On November 10th 1908,the County Council opened a new school at Rhos, Cilybebyll. This was meant to hold about 216 pupils. The present number is 195 children. The schoolmaster's name is Mr Henry Jones,B.Sc., and he has a number of assistant teachers.There is a vast difference between the standards of the schools and the abilities of the teachers today,and the time of the old Plasywaun school and Henry Lloyd,and Ty'r Ysgol and old Davies. The children today know more than those old schoolmasters,whether they make good use of it or not. The name of the present 'Attendance Officer' is John D.Jones.

There was a sort of higher school for boys in Danyrallt ,opposite the railway station for many years,run by Mr Samuels, a patriarchal looking gentleman with a long flowing beard as white as snow.  He was an energetic old man in the cause of education,and at one time was connected with the recreational meetings held in the Board school,Gellinudd. After he died,his son Mr Astley Samuels took over the school,and everything went successfully until the Secondary School opened in Ystalyfera. This had a great effect on the school,and the master decided to change his course.He went to Swansea as an 'auctioneer',and in that calling he has remained. Around the same time as the old Mr Samuel kept the school,a Mrs Kirkhouse had a school in " The Ferns" on Graig Road where she taught girls only. Everyone did not go there --- everyone could not afford to go there,but many useful wives were raised there. Around 1895,a few years after Mrs Kirkhouse had left,a Mr Henry,B.A., kept a school in the same building. If it was girls with Mrs Kirkhouse,it was boys with Mr Henry,those who wished to study for the ministry and important supervisory posts. Mr David Jenkins(Urbanus) the present minister of Ebenezer,Rhos,was an assistant teacher there. Before this, Mr Henry kept a school in the Long Room,at the Cross Inn,Pontardawe. By this time,these 'high schools' have disappeared from the place.

 

Cilybebyll

In 1746-1717, the Welsh Circulating Charity Schools, organized by the Rev. Griffith Jones, Llanddowror, came to Cwm-mainllwyd, Cilybebyll, where twenty-six scholars were registered. This school was held for about four months, during which the students were taught the Church Catechism and how to spell and read Welsh. The Circulating Schools whetted the appetite of  people for education and prepared the way for permanent schools.

About 1819, the people subscribed to build a school at Plas-y-waun, where Henry Lloyd took charge. in 1839, he left to take up Cae'r Doc School, Pontardawe.
Plas-y-waun school-room was converted into a dwelling house.

Howell Gwyn, Esq., built another school in 1839, and Mr. George Gowing Charles Bird was its first schoolmaster.

Eight years later, William Morris, assistant inspector, wrote:

"Parish of  Kilypebyll. - ' I visited this parish on 25th February, 1847. It contains Ynisgeinon, Waun-y-coed and Primrose Collieries. I found a parochial day-school-room with a master's house attached, situated in the centre of the parish, about a mile from the church. On the school-house, which is built of stone and slated, is a tablet inscribed: - "The mistress appeared to conduct her part of the school efficiently. I could not, after a most diligent enquiry, hear of any other day schools "'

In 1839, Mr. Bird, who later moved to Cae'r Doc, Pontardawe, presided over this school, and David Davies (Dafydd Dafis) followed him at Cilybebyll. Davies, a Welshman, prohibited the children to speak Welsh, their mother tongue. A boy who attended this school later wrote about Dafydd Dafis:  he was a droll old man, with his hell and stick giving the pupils " Welcome Home " when late returning from play-time or dinner-time. Another method of punishment he adopted was to make the boys stand on one leg on the desk, like a row of cockerels, with their hands up holding slates on which their faults were written for all the others to see.

A couplet was often sung by the children:

Davies y Rhos, a'i gaib a'i gos,
Yn clatcho plant Ysgol y Rhos.

He taught children up to the third standard and then appealed to the parents to take them out of school. Children had to chop firewood, dig the garden and collect manure along the road.

The people of CilybebylI wasted no time in putting the Elementary Education Act (Forster's Act) of 1870 into operation. The School Board held its first meeting at the Reading Room, Alltwen, in the parish of Cilybebyll on June 8, 1871. Members of the Board present were: Herbert Lloyd, Esq. (chairman), Griffith Lewis, Esq. (vice-chairman), Mr. David Smith, Mr. Watkin Hopkin and Mr. I. I. Davies. Mr. William Samuel, B.A., acted as clerk to the Board for £12 a year.In those days distinction was made between esquire and mister.

On August 29, 1871, 352 pupils attended, 89 between the ages of three and five years and 263 between five and thirteen years of age.

In 1873, the Board built a new school at. Gellinudd, to hold 400 pupils. For the first three years, Mr. and Mrs. John Hale acted as master and mistress, and they were followed by Mr. and Mrs. George Jenkins in November 1877. Brilliant scholars passed through this school. Mr. Jenkins's son, James, became a doctor of science and a barrister-at-law.

 In 1903, the School Board built a new school to accommodate 6oo children, and Mr. George Jenkins continued as headteacher until he retired. The School Board built an infants' school to accommodate 200 children at Graig, Alltwen, in 1883-1884. For many years, Mrs. B. Morgan acted as schoolmistress, and Miss James continued until she retired.

On November 10, 1908, the Glamorgan Education Authority opened a new school at Rhos, Cilybebyll, to hold 216 pupils. Mr. Henry Jones, B.Sc., was the headteacher.

About 1889, when Herbert Lloyd, Esq., J.P., Y Plas, Cilybebyll, one of a county family, came along the road, he and his family expected all children to show respect, boys to salute and girls to curtsey to them. If some did not do so, Mr. Lloyd, the chairman of the School Board, called at the school to tell the headmaster how ignorant and barbaric the children were.  Mr. Jenkins then reprimanded the children and instructed them to salute or curtsey to the Squire and his family. They were driven in a carriage and pair, the driver, with cockade and whip, sat stiffly in his seat, and at the railway station, another man who accompanied the driver opened the carriage door and bowed to Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd as they alighted.

 

Cwmgors

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Cwmgors Primary School

The school was opened on September 2, 1912.

Rees Evans (Alltfab) was the first head-teacher of the Cwmgors Junior and Infant School.

He was succeeded by Daniel Davies, who in turn was followed by L. J. Lewis. Afterwards Mr. W. D. Evans is the present head-teacher.

The Infant School and the Junior Mixed School were separated at first.

Miss Matilda Jenkins, the first head-teacher of the Infant School, was followed by Miss S. Morfydd Morgan and Miss Maggie Evans.

The school later became under the head-teacher of the Junior Mixed School. The number enrolled in 1967 is 130.

 

Cwmllynfell & Cwmtwrch

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Between 1738 and 1761, circulating schools organized by the Rev. Griffith Jones, Llanddowror, were held at " Ystradowen ", " Gilfach-yr-haidd ", " Alltgrig " and " Cigerwen " and as al lthese places were near Cwmllynfell, the chances were that some scholars from the village attended these schools, where they were tanght the Church Catechism and how to read the Bible in Welsh.

A long period of eighty years followed without an account of a day or evening school for children and adults in the area.

In 1840, a school existed in Cwmtwrch and one in Cwmllynfell. English was the teaching language.

One of the early and notable headmasters was Levi Rees, who had £15 a year from the British School Committee, and his assistant, William Abel James, received £1 a quarter.

It was reported that in 1847, the Cwmllynfell. School, Llangiwg, held
"Evening classes four times a week at a rate of payment of 6d. per week in reading, writing and arithmetic, where an average of ten attended. Messrs. James and Aubrey, the proprietors of Cwmllynfell. Colliery, and Moira Crane, Esq., the proprietor of Cwmtwrch Colliery, also subscribe to CwmIlynfell."
The proprietors were not the only ones to subscribe: the workmen paid "one penny deducted from each Workman's Earnings for Educational purpose ".

The Cwmllynfell. school became important, chiefly because the owners and workmen paid at the works and clerks deducted school pence at the offices of the collieries. Although Levi Rees was a highly respected person in school, chapel and in public life, his methods of punishing children seem to us cruel. They were:

In 1860, Levi Rees retired from school and took up a more lucrative post at Brynhenllys Colliery. He opened up old collieries.

 Mr. Rees was followed by Edward Oak, an English monoglot, who was very short, full of energy and courage, kind and religious in spirit, and he always opened the school by reading a chapter and saying prayers. On the other hand, his successor, William Pughe, was different in many respects. He was tall, well-built and cruel to the children. He had great faith in discipline produced by fist and cane. When he left to take charge of a school in Cardiganshire, the people of the village had no regrets after his year's work as master.

The next master, Edward Lewis, a Welshman, known as " Lewis Risca ", was a short, fiery and enthusiastic man, who won the affection of both parents and children. He not only played games and joined in athletic sports, but also took an interest in eisteddfodau as recorded in the Log Book:

1863, September 3 and 4, "No school on these two days, the master having been at the Swansea Eisteddfod."
Evidently, Edward Lewis had freedom to arrange short holidays to suit his convenience.

On November 8, 1869, Richard Lewis commenced as master of the school. He stated that on November 1869,
" that the greater portion of the children were late this morning, and it was nearly 11 o'clock before all were assembled owing to an accident by firedamp at Hendreforgan Colliery, the children having gone to the scene of the catastrophe today."

When Mr. Binns, H.M. Inspector, called annually to inspect the school, the caretaker had spring cleaned the building and all the children came in their Sunday clothes, and walked quietly on the thick mantle of sawdust on the floor.

In 1870, Richard Lewis introdnced needlework for girls. The staff then consisted of Richard Lewis, Master, certificated 3rd degree, 3rd division; Samuel Williams, pupil teacher close of 3rd year; Jane Morgan, teacher of needlework.

When the late Rev. Ben Davies, Pant-teg, attended the British School in 1871-72, the schoolmaster ascended four or five steps to his pulpit, called the names of the children, and each pupil present replied: "Yes, Sir." Discipline was at a low ebb, and sometimes the master attacked the boys unmercifully, and occasionally the boys retaliated and clouds of dust rose. The worst culprits were placed in the " black hole " for the whole afternoon, and when the planks were raised, boys were thrown into the depths. To while away the time, boys looked for marbles which had fallen through holes in the floor of the school.

Ben Davies did not like playtime, because gangs from the " Cwm " fought against those of the " Bryn ", the fighting spirit was accentuated by the Franco-Prussian war. A cruel, unkind spirit pervaded the whole school. Ben Davies did not learn anything, as the teaching was in a foreign language, which he did not understand. He did, however, learn to hate English, for which he was sorry later.

After working as a door-boy in a colliery, he returned to school, and by this time the schoolmaster was praised by everybody. He was a young man from Abercrave, Mr. J. J. Roberts, later of Pontardawe. Mr. Roberts was very kind to him, especially when he found that he had worked at a colliery and returned to school. Ben Davies had a deep reverence in his heart for his new master, who placed the pupil in a cosy corner of the room and gave him personal attention in teaching sums and enticing him to read and write from the " Royal Readers ". He made him learn English poetry, and, with three others, he was prepared to become a pupil teacher. He had an exceptionally good verbal memory and he won the Roberts Prize for reciting "The Sofa" by William Cowper.

Mr. Roberts spent four successful years as master of the school, and Her Majesty's Inspector of Schools reported that
" the school is in excellent order and extremely well conducted; the energy and devotion to duty displayed by the master are most commendable, and the scholars are progressing well in consequence ".

In February 1878, the result of the election of the School Board was as follows:

The British School, Cwmllynfell, was transferred to the Llanguicke School Board in July 1879. Mr. Roberts continued as headmaster until October 2, 1882. On October 9, 1882, Mr. John Isaac took charge of the school and very successfully continued for thirty-four years. He was the last schoolmaster in the Old School, and on September 23, 1883, he led the procession of children to the new Board School. Althongh the journey was short, it marked an important change in facilities for education at Cwmllynfell.

Many people in Cwmllynfell resented transferring the British School to the Llanguicke School Board, as shown by the following entry in the Log Book.
" 1875 May 3rd to May 7th. On Monday night or very early Tuesday morning some person or persons entered the school for the purpose of damaging the premises. A panel in the lower portion of the cupboard was completely knocked in. Every now and then a window was broken. Undoubtedly, there are some persons who intend to destroy the school. Some time ago I was informed that rather than the schoolroom should be handed over to the School Board, the people would pull it down. It seems that by their proceedings last night, that such is the case."

On January 2nd, 1890, Miss Anna Griffiths took charge of the Cwmllynfell Infants' school as a separate department.

Mr. John Rees became Head-teacher on November 1, 1916, but he suffered ill-health and died on November 12, 1920. Mr. David John Price, formerly Head-teacher of Rhiwfawr school, commenced duties as Head-teacher of the Cwmllynfell Mixed School. John Watkins, Tom Ellis Phillips and William John Thomas were there before Miss M. Williams, the present Head-teacher. The members of the staff in Febrnary 1964 of the Cwmllynfell Junior school were Miss E. M. N. Harries and Mrs. M. Morris. Eighty-six pupils were enrolled. Pupils who pass the eleven-plus entrance examination may enter Ystalyfera or Pontardawe Grammar schools, and the remainder attend the Gwauncaegurwen Secondary County School.

 

Garnant & Glanamman

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 Gellionnen

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A stable attached to Gellionnen Chapel had a loft in which a school was held for the children of the district.

This school preceded the circulating schools of Griffith Jones, Llanddowror.

Mary Williams, of Gelligron, by her will, left 40/- annually to a school at ' Gelli Onen ' for ever, chargeable to the tenement of ' Glynmeirch '.
When the school closed before 1766, no payment was made afterwards.   

 

Godre'rgraig

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Godre'rgraig Mixed School

Miss Margaret A. Harris took charge of the Godre'rgraig School on June 26, 1882, when the attendance was forty-eight. On January 5, 1883, the Inspector reported that if the premises were to be occupied as a school in future, the playground and the approaches to the offices must be considerably improved, and a porch (which could be used as a cloakroom) built at the front entrance. There were no means of ventilating the cloakroom.

On February 19, 1883, Miss Mary Price became headteacher of the school. Afterwards she was appointed as headmistress of the Infant Department at Gwauncaegurwen.
The staff, in 1883, were: Mary Price, certificated, M. A. Samuel, monitress, and Gwen Jones, monitress.
The average attendance on week ending September 14, 1883, was 98. Absenteeism was due to bad weather, measles, chickenpox, scarlet fever, whooping cough, swollen faces, St. David's Day, Fairs, Menagerie, Circus, etc.

On September 28, 1885, Rachel Evans took charge of the school, and on June 4, 1888, Mary Williams followed. She was assisted by M. A. Samuel and R. A. Davies. The first standard was sent up to Pant-teg School.

Margaret Thomas commenced duties as mistress on April 7, 1896. She suffered from deafness.
In the Log Book she recorded: April 26, 1899 - " can't possibly keep school this afternoon. Children gone to see the procession of Wombwells Menagerie."

On November 16, 1905, the Glamorgan Education Committee opened the new Godre'rgraig Council School.
A Supplementary teacher was engaged in 1907 at £25 per annum.

Among the headteachers were: John James, D. L.. Rees, Gerwyn Rees, and in the month ending February 28, 1964, the staff were: Mr. G. Davies, headteacher, Miss D. J. Hopkin, Mrs. M. J. Griffiths, Mrs. P. Samuel, Miss M. Williams, Mrs. A. Morgan, deputy head-teacher. Total number enrolled was 154.

 

Gwauncaegurwen

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The first record of formal education at Gwauncaegurwen was that of the Circulating schools initiated by the Rev. Griffith Jones, Llanddowror.
In his reports he stated that a Mr. H -- T-- taught children and adults at Waun Cygurwen in Llanguke, in 1739-40, when forty-five were enrolled.
In 1741-2, forty-one attended at Cygerwen, and fifty-two in 1744-5.
A year later, twenty-eight scholars attended al Llwyn-y-celyn, in Llanguick. The original spelling of the records was retained.
At Neuadd in Llanguick, forty-three students were enrolled. This was Neuadd Farm, near Garnant.
The reports by G. Jones continued! In a school in 1750-1 at Cigerwen in the parish of Llanguick, forty-three students attended.
Later the records gave from Michelmas 1766 to Michelmas 1767 at Caegyrwen in Llanguick, sixty enrolled?'

After Griffith Jones's schools, Sunday schools, not only as a means of religious instruction but also as elementary secular education, began and spread.
The Rev. Noah Jones, Walsall, Staffordshire, a native of Gwauncaegurwen, gave the land at Cwmbach and paid for the building of a school in 1762. In addition, he gave £2 a year to pay for poor scholars, and £1 a year to pay the Rev. Josiah Rees, Gellionnen, for preaching in the school on Sunday afternoons during the summer.
In 1832, " Hen Abraham " kept a day school in the stable loft of Old Carmel Chapel.

A Government Inspector reported on Cwmbach (Independent) School in 1847, thus:
"English books only. Welsh spoken in explanation of English books. Age of master 25. Started at 24. Farmer's son. Income from school pence £26. Salary nil. Annual income of school £26."

" Thomas-y-school " followed Abraham.
Gwydderig, the poet, attended the school at Old Carmel.

As the population increased in Godre'rwaun, the school shifted to a room above the stable of Caegurwen Arms.
Philip Rees, the proprietor of Caegurwen Arms, who had lost a leg in the Crimean War, increased his living by teaching children in this school.
Afterwards the school was held at Pen-yr-incline house.
John Harris, Cwmbach, had a school at " Y Cwt ", and an English woman taught at Ty'n-y-coedcae, Cwmgors. Some boys attended a school kept by Sion y gwaddotwr at Pantyboblen, near Lletyycrydd.................

A pupil at the school, Pen-yr-incline house, said that the classroom was a lean-to with a backless form along the wall. He held his slate in the left hand and the slate pencil in the right. In this school, Evan Gethin, a winding engine-man at the Old Pit, succeeded John Davies as schoolmaster.

At Caegurwen Arms, miners and others held meetings in 1866, and decided to build a British School and contribute one shilling per month for the school and its maintenance. David Morgan, Cilpentan, became the first secretary and Benjamin Evans, Llwynrhidiau, treasurer. On the first page of the school Log Book was reported:

" The School Establishment consists of Evan Davies, master, not certificated, Hannah Davies, teaching of sewing."  This was signed by J. Bowstead, H.M. Inspector, 15th August, 1867.

A copy of H.M. Inspector Second Report was received on September 8, 1867:
"The Lower Classes in this school are creditably instructed. On the whole, the progress of the school is as great as it would be reasonable to expect under the circumstances. The new premises are well built and sufficient for the present need, but a classroom may be wanted hereafter."

On November 1867, David Evans took charge of the school, where fifty-four pupils attended, and this number increased to ninety by December 20, 1867. David Evans resigned, and on January 6, 1868, David Davies took charge of the school. He was assisted by Eliza Davies as teacher of needlework. On November 20, 1868, " the Parish doctor came to school to vaccinate ten children ". Another note from the school log-book on August 13, 1869, states: "Today I resign the mastership of the Gwauncaegurwen British School. David Davies."  His successor wrote on August 16, 1869: " I, Richard Morgan, probationer from St. Mark's College, Chelsea, S.W. Commenced duties as Master of Gwain-cae-gurwen British School."

On November 21, 1870, it was noted that
" This School 40 feet by 25 feet by 17 feet is a public one secured by deed " and a committee "appoint and control the teacher. It is connected with no  religious denomination. No. on roll 148, 75 boys, 73 girls. Signed by David Morgan (Cilpentan) and Benjamin Evans (Llwynrhidie)."
David Morgan was the grandfather of Mr. Morgan, butcher, Cwmgors, and Benjamin Evans was the grandfather of Miss Jane Evans, Her Majesty's Inspector of Schools.

On February 17, 1871, Richard Morgan ceased to be master. The local committee considered it advisable to appoint an Englishman as headmaster, so they appointed George Edmund, a Pembrokeshire man. In the school Log Book dated May 21, 1871, Mr.Edmund wrote:
"I George Edmund took charge of this school at this date - found the attendance very good 153 being present; but not a book, slate or apparatus of any kind suitable for instruction in school. - The Committee meeting this evening gave me £9.7.1d. to buy absolute necessaries - Tuesday I went to the Depot - Wednesday reopened school and found the children industrious and attentive the rest of the week."

With the increase in the number of children, more teachers were employed, and 1872 the establishment consisted of George Edmund, Certificated 2/1 Old Code, Harry Edmund, Pupil Teacher of 4th year; George T. Edmund, Pupil Teacher of 2nd year; Margaret Thomas, Pupil Teacher 1st year, and Mary Meredith, Sewing Mistress.
Mr. Edmund records many interesting things in his log book.
On January 10th, 1873, he wrote that
"The Mines Regulation Act compelling children in collieries to attend 10 hours weekly was now in force and many children were admitted this week. Ordinary routine in school work.
On February 23, 1875, the schoolroom was used as a Polling Booth by H. Cuthbertson, Esq., for the School Board."
238 polled here from the hamlet of Caegurwen. The result of School Board election for Llangiwg was: John James, 1,594; B. Evans, 1,446; T. White, 987; J. Williams, 910; John Morgan, 772; Charles Williams, 441; Daniel Lewis, 418. In the Minute Book of the Llanguicke School Board was written that "The Returning Officer (Mr. Howel Cuthbertson) reported that the following gentlemen, viz. John James, Godre'r Garth, Farmer, Benjamin Evans, Llwynrhidie, Yeoman, Thomas Richardson White, Fountain Hall, Ystalyfera, Civil Engineer, James Williams, Pwllbach, Rollerman, John Morgan, Penlan Fach, Farmer, Charles Williams, Ystalyfera, Baptist Minister, Daniel Lewis, Tanyrallt, Ystalyfera, Contractor, were elected to the Board."

The Gwauncaegurwen British School was converted to a Board School on May 1st, 1877, and enlarged by two classrooms in 1878.

" John Morgan and John James were proposed as Chairman of the Board. John James had 4 votes and John Morgan 3 votes. Mr. White was Vice-chairman. Mr. D. B. Turberville, Solicitor, Neath, acted as Clerk to the Board and Mr. Leonard D. Williams of Swansea Bank, Ltd., Swansea, as Treasurer without remuneration."
Although the post of treasurer was an honorary one, the first treasurer did not last long. At a meeting held on July 15, 1875, the Clerk reported that
" a cheque for £10 which had been given him for Quarter's salary had been returned by the treasurer dishonoured."
It was "resolved that Mr. Leonard D. Williams's services as Treasurer be dispensed with and that the manager of the Glamorganshire Banking Co. (George Young, Esq.) be appointed to the Board in his stead."

Alderman D. D. Davies [re]called that Mr. Harry Edmund, a nephew of Mr. George Edmund, was agile and alert, a trick cyclist with a penny farthing cycle of the day. In addition to being a conjuror, he was the first to play the violin at Gwauncaegurwen.

In 1879, an Infant Department was built, and the first mistress, Miss Dickens, was followed by Miss Cox of Cwmavon. Later, Mrs. Mary Evans (afterwards Mrs. Mary Morris of Porthcawl), a powerful personality, was headmistress for over twenty years.

Mr. John Hugh succeeded Mr. George Edmund as headmaster. A bitter controversy raged around that appointment; many of the inhabitants being keen on obtaining a Mr. Davies to the post. Davies was a musician, and a precentor was needed at Carmel Chapel. Mr. Hugh, a very clear thinker, was one of the best of teachers. He continued until July 1925, when he retired. Mr. John Morgan, L.L.C.M., succeeded him. Mr. Morgan left to become headmaster at Whitchurch, near Cardiff.

On Monday, June 26, 1939, the new Gwauncaegurwen Primary School was opened by Alderman David Daniel Davies. It had cost £13,000, and was situated at the rear of the old school which had been demolished and replaced by an ornamental space bordered with green flowering shrubs. The new school has spacious corridors, class and cloak rooms, lavatories, teachers' rooms, modern equipment and a hall with a seating capacity of 300. The headmistress, Miss Mary Evans, and staff and pupils removed to their new headquarters six months before the official opening.

.............................obtained permission for a fine Secondary Modern School, which was built on Gwauncaegurwen Common off the New Road, near the Public Hall. Children over eleven years of age who did not go to Grammar schools attended here.
The first headmaster, Mr. T. H. Griffiths, B.A., left to become headmaster of Llwynderw Secondary School, Maesteg.

Mr. Ellis Wyn Evans, B.A., Dip.Ed., succeeded Mr. Griffiths as headmaster. Mr. Evans was born at Gwauncaegurwen on April 11, 1904, was the son of William John Evans and Hannah Evans, and was educated at Carmarthen Preparatory School and University College, Swansea. He graduated with Final Welsh and History, and obtained the Diploma of Education. In religion he is an Independent and a deacon and honorary secretary of Carmel Chapel, Gwauncaegurwen.

The staff of the school in 1960 consisted of;

The catchment area in 1958 comprised of Ystalyfera, Godre'rgraig, Pontardawe, Rhydyfro, Cwmgors, Gwauncaegurwen, Tairgwaith, Glyn (Banwen), Cwmllynfell and Rhiwfawr. After the opening of the new County Secondary School at Pontardawe in 1959, pupils from Ystalyfera, Godre'rgraig, Pontardawe and Rhydyfro were transferred to Pontardawe School.
In 1940, during World War 11, one hundred and twenty evacuees attended the Gwauncaegurwen School.

The school age was raised from fourteen years to fifteen years in 1958, 500 pupils were enrolled, but in September 1959 the number on the register was 310. Seventy-five per cent of the pupils speak Welsh and twenty-five per cent, speak English. In the past, boys wanted to work in collieries, but now they prefer factories. Successful pupils attend Grammar Schools at Ystalyfera and Pontardawe, and Technical Secondary School at Pontardawe.

 

Gwrhyd

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Pontardawe & Llangiwg

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THE HISTORY OF EDUCATION.

It in not necessary to go back far to reach the period of the beginning of educational development. 60 years ago there was a different aspect on the country; a small school here and there,and the schoolmasters almost as small as the children from an educational point of view. There was little improvement in education before the establishing of the Board Schools. The government schools made some effort at paving the way for better ones.

The first school in Pontardawe that I have any information on was the school at Cae'r Doc, where Phillip's slaughterhouse is at present. John John, Ynysderw ; the.Rev.John James, Minister of Gellionen Vicar. Price,and Harper,Esq.,of Ynysygelynen all had a hand in this. Some of the elderly of the district claimed that Cae'r Doc and the upper part of Craig Ynysderw was once given to Pontardawe by Madam Turbil.  John John,Ynysderw and Harper, Ynysygelynen,were two trustees of the place, but somehow, through some misunderstanding between the two trustees --- one believing that the deeds were with the other, and the other saying that they were with the first --- possession of the place fell from their hands back to another. The school was built on district land --- a small' schoolhouse with a thatched roof; wooden benches resting on stones had to do as   places to sit on; and an earthen floor. It was raised by voluntary contributions from the people of the district. There was a dwelling house related to it for the  use of the schoolmaster.

There were several schoolmasters there in their time.The first was John Farrant; the second was Henry Lloyd, the old schoolmaster of Plasywaun, Cilybebyll; the third was William Griffith --- some say he came from Carmarthenshire,other, that he was from Pembrokeshire, but it does not matter. The fourth was "Yr hen dderyn"("The old Bird"). It needed a fair sized school to take his name. If some of the children were subject to "bronchitis" it took them four eff-orts to say his name. It was George Cowing Charles Bird,and if anyone stuttered over the 'G' , half the school would be over before he had "G'd" from one end to the other. This one flew over to Alltwen on a wet day from Rhos,Cilybebyll,where his nest had become uncomfortable. Philip Griffiths,Maesiago,was at the school with the first three masters,and William Griffiths lodged with his parents. It was customary for. Mrs Bird to comb the old Bird's hair in the school while the children did their lessons,and now and then she would go to Neath, to get him some golden apples. He was an above average scholar,and was prominent with the 'sick clubs' in the district. Several boys of the, school became shining stars in the district later,such as David Gibbs(Carnalun);Edward Young (Eos Wyn),and the late Dr Griffiths,Llwyncelyn, Pontardawe.
After the old Mr Bird came Mr Leonard Evans.Two of his children,Mr Morgan Evans and. his sister,are living at present opposite the Public Hall. He was teaching at the school for about two or three years.He went from Pontardawe to Ynyspenllwch near Glais,and it was there that he was buried. He was the last of the schoolmasters in Cae'r Doc. After the closing of the school,Einon Williams (Einon-Pentreharn,or Einon the Blacksmith --everyone had a name for him) worked a forge there.

In 1856,Mr William Parson,raised a school in Brecon Road to serve his workers. All the workmen gave a day's pay towards the building,and money was deducted from their pay towards the upkeep. By 1874 there were 185 scholars,and it was called the National School. A few years after this,it was taken over by the Council of the Board. The Board had it until 1885. The school is today in the possession of the church. Services are held there in Welsh and English every Sunday alternately,or in opposite arrangment to the service in St Peters. There is a Sunday school there every Sunday. This is where the Churchgoers worshipped in the village before the building of St Peters.

This school had several schoolmasters in its day. The first one that we have information about was Benjamin Griffiths,brother of the popular Ifander Griffiths. After him came a man named Smith. He was a Scot. After Smith came a Lloyd and then a Cubbard. Then came Watkin Jones,and the last in 1882,J.J.Roberts,Ynysmeudwy.

In 1869,a ' Reading Room' was built in Herbert Street by Mr. Wm.Gilbertson, for his workers,which is at present in the possession of the Rechabites,and called "Rechabite Hall". There was an infant school in this building for years,and I understand that in 1875,a Miss Spratt was the schoolmistress there. .................. (see under Ynysmeudwy)

There was another school in the loft of a stable of an old Tavern called 'The Lamb', a few hundred yards from Bethesda,the Independent chapel. The schoolmaster in this place was John Davies(White),who also preached,and was a deacon in Bethesda for many years.

On the seventh day of April 1885,the new Board School was opened,and Mr John Jones Roberts became its schoolmaster. He is the only one that has been there,and is now teaching the children of the first children that were under his care. There is room there for 200 boys and 200 girls,and quite a number of assitant teachers serving there.

Again,in 1899,an infant school was opened in the centre of Pontardawe near St Peters church. This held 250 children. In the first year the average number of children that attended there was 160,and at present,the average is 200. The schoolmistress is Miss Jones who has served here from the beginning,but her assistants keep changing like the moon,but not as consistent ..............(see under Ynysmeudwy)

 

Education at Pontardawe

The first school-house was on Cae'r Doc, between the River Upper Clydach and Palais de Dance, and near the Canal at Pontardawe. John John, Ynysderw, the Rev. John James, Minister of Gellionnen, Vicar Price, and Thomas Harper, Ynysgelynen, had a hand in starting the school.

A small school with a thatched roof; wooden benches resting on stones were considered good enough for pupils to sit on; the floor was of hardened soil.  Attached to the school-room was the headmaster's house.
The headmasters, in chronological order, were: John Tarrant, Henry Lloyd, William Griffith, George Cowing Charles Bird and Leonard Evans. He was the last of the masters in Cae'r Doc school.

The National School was aided or maintained by subscriptions, and owing to a change of proprietorship in Parsons' works, the school was closed on February 19, 1847.
Notes made by an Inspector on the National School, Pontardawe (Works and Church) were: The teacher conducted religions instruction, and opened the school with a hymn and prayer. The minister visited the school regularly. Although the pupils were monoglot Welsh, English books only and English Grammar only were taught by a master and mistress, each twenty-five years of age and not trained. Salary of both was £50 per annum.  Income from school pence was £4, and the annual income of school subscriptions and donations amounted to £50. There was no endowment.

When the pecuniary circumstances of William Parsons improved. he built the Church school-room in 1856, each of his workmen contributing one day's wages, and school pence were taken from the workers pay. On April 7th, 1859, H.M. Inspector of Schools inspected the school and found 91 boys and 76 girls present at the examination.

"These schools are in as fair a condition as can be expected under the circumstances of the case. They are at the present moment conducted by a master and mistress, neither of whom are certificated, but are fairly competent to manage them.

Many schoolmasters taught in this school, the first being Benjamin Griffiths (brother of the famous choir conductor, Ifander Griffiths), who was followed by a Scotsman, Alex Smith, who was succeeded by Henry Woodman and later by Will Jones, W. M. Jones and, lastly, by John Jones Roberts. In 1863, the Pontardawe Mixed National School was under the supervision of the clergyman, who reprimanded the schoolmaster, Alex Smith, for expelling a boy for disobedience and improper conduct of bringing gunpowder to school and exploding it, and covering his faults by telling lies. When the Log Books were examined by the clergyman, he commented upon the dismissal of a boy from the Night School for conducting himself so badly.

 "The Master cannot expel him from school, but suspend him until the clergyman was communicated with, when the boy may be punished as the clergyman may direct."

" Punishment ought to be inflicted with a cane in preference to a rod."

On August 18, 1863, the Rev. D. Jones and John Parsons visited the school. In September 29, 1864, the headmaster wrote in the Log Book:

" I have finished my career as master of this school, and heartily thank God for the great blessings He has showered upon us and pray that my successor may receive the sympathy of the Committee and the cooperation of the parents in all matters with the school. Alex Smith."

Smith was followed by Lloyd and then Cubbard. In 1868, the staff consisted of a Certificated teacher as master, Henry Woodman, and assistant mistress, Mrs. Mary Phillips. In 1873, several boys returned to school mainly as the result of Bruce's Mines Regulation Bill.  The boys were under age to work. It was recorded that three girls in Standard One, two of them were ill with smallpox and the other had typhoid. On February 8th, 1865, the school was visited by Dr. Price, who examined children's arms to see if they had been vaccinated.

 " He found seven in the school and nine in the infant school who had not been done, so he vaccinated accordingly."

The staff on March 1, 1877, consisted of Will Jones, Headmaster; R. D. Howel, Assistant Master; W. Hughes, 3rd year pupil teacher: B. H. Jones, W. G. Hodgson and Geo. Hopkin, 1st year pupil teacher. During this period, children had to pay their school pence. On May 30th, 1879, Arthur Gilbertson, who was Correspondent for the School, wrote:

 "I think 5d. must be charged for one child from parents in good circumstances and 4d. and 3d. for the second and third child. Children between 7 and 10 years old, 2d., children over 10, 3d. Skilled workmen at 4d. and exception in some few cases for poor people."

From August 15, 1881, the schools came under the jurisdiction of the Llanguicke School Board. On October 28, the Board decided on the following school pence: children under 7 years of age, 1d., 10 years of age, 2d., and those over 10 years, 3d. This document was signed by D. B. Turberville, Clerk to the Board.

The staff in 1882-3 were: W. M. Jones, 1st Class Certificated Teacher; M. A. Harris, Certificated Teacher; M. Williams, Assistant Mistress, and W. T. Taylor and G. Evans, pupil teachers of 2nd year. The master resigned because he had been appointed headmaster of Pontypool Town School, and he took leave of the children on October 6, 1882.

On Monday, October 9, 1882, John Jones Roberts took charge of the school. Her Majesty's Inspector reported on the Mixed School on April 4, 1884, thus:

" This school is well managed by Mr. Roberts and a good examination has been passed as a whole."

The school population had increased and the children left the old school for the new Llanguicke Board School under Mr. Roberts on April 7, 1885.
On August 10, 1885, the sexes separated and Miss Hannah Anne Davies, Treherbert, was the first mistress of the Girls' School.

In 1869, William Gilbertson built a Reading Room which afterwards became the Rechabites Hall.
An Infants' school was held in this building in 1875, when Miss Spratt acted as headmistress.

J. J. Roberts, the headmaster, kept up-to-date by attending special courses at South Kensington in 1898, and at the Royal College of Science, London, in 1901.

H.M. Inspector reported in July 1902, on the Boys' school:

" This is thoroughly a well-organised School, and its state is due to the approved methods of teaching adopted and the indefatigable zeal with which the work is carried out. The order and tone are exceedingly good."

The Boys' and Girls' schools and Infant Class received a total grant of £683.10s. In this century the three wars; South African, and the two World Wars are mentioned in the Log Books. Relief of Lady-smith and Mafeking and end of the South African War were recorded.

There was no school on Wednesday, July 15, 1903, because of Buffalo Bill show at Swansea. It was at this show that the writer first saw Red Indians. In September 1903, the School Board ended and the new regime came under the Glamorgan Authority. Instead of the control being under the School Board, School Managers of the Pontardawe Division had their first meeting on Thursday, November 30, 1903, Astley W. Samuel was Clerk to the Managers.

On January 4, 1904, Edgar Leyshon Chappell commenced duties as a certificated trained assistant at a salary of £80 a year. Mr. Roberts, the headmaster, introduced a violin class in 1904, and 40 boys and 37 girls started under the tuition of Mr. Whitaker, Swansea. The highest weekly average since the opening of the school in 1885 (boys) was 206.

Coal mining increased in Glamorgan at the beginning of this century and as many boys after they left school, worked in local collieries, Henry Davies, director of mining instruction, Glamorgan, recommended the following for teaching mining in the upper standards: one box of fossils, £1, one box of rock specimens, £1.1.0d., one Davy lamp, 6/6, one clanny lamp, 7/6, one set of anthracite 3 inches by 4 inches, one box of steam coal and one box of bituminous coal.

Children who wanted to leave school before the statutory age had to pass an examination, and on July 9, 1907, 37 boys and 23 girls sat the Labour Certificate examination. David Thomas, J.P., M.D., acting medical officer of health, visited the school in June 1906 and was thoroughly satisfied. In April 1908, Dr. F. E. Francis medically examined 36 boys, and in 1910 he excluded five boys from school: three with scabies, one with impetigo and one with ingrowing toe nail.

Until January 7, 1913, children sat on long backless desks, but dual desks replaced them. Many interesting events were recorded by Mr. Roberts in the school Log Book :

"Capt. Scott had reached the South Pole. He and his associates died in 1912. Petty Officer Edgar Evans, Rhosilly, was one of them."

On October 23. 1913:  " Prosser of Birmingham made a successful flying feat in a biplane from the Pontardawe Athletic Ground at 4.30 p.m."

County Councillor F. W. Gilbertson, J.P., opened the New Higher Elementary School on September 4, 1913.

The new Boys' School between Smithfield and Heathfield roads, was opened on March 2, 1914, the boys, numbering 220, marched from the old school to the new and celebrated St. David's day. In 1915-16, the Log Book contained notes about the first World War. After a long and faithful service, John Jones Roberts who had been headmaster at Cwmllynfell, Llangiwg and New Boys' schools, died on April 19, 1919.

T. Roger Williams took up duties as Head Teacher of the Boys' School on March 2. 1920, after having previously held a similar position at the Wern Boys' School, Ystalyfera. The number on books in 1921 was 274.

"The lock-out of the miners commenced on April 1st ", continued until June, "and to alleviate the distress prevailing, canteens for school children have been opened at the old Church School and at the Girls' Department, where free meals are provided every mid-day. So far the whole organisation has been maintained by subscriptions and voluntary assistance."

July 8th : "The local canteens have this week been placed under the County Council Scheme for feeding of necessitous children." Once the scheme for " necessitous " children came, there was a sudden drop in attendance at the canteen, so it was decided to combine the voluntary and Council schemes. On July 15, 1921, the canteen terminated.

Thomas Roger Williams, Head Teacher since March 1920, " to our deepest regret passed away on October 18, 1930, after an illness lasting since 5th May.

W. H. John commenced duties as head teacher on December 1, 1930. On the staff were D. J. Daniel, BA., CT.,;  D. Ll. Thomas, BA., C.T.,;  E. P. Hopkin, C.T., ; A. G. Rees, C.T.,;  D. M. Williams, U.T., Miss Laura Jenkins, U.T.,;  and Miss Gwen Lewis, U.T.   Mr. W. H. John left on July 28, 1939, for Newton, Porthcawl Mixed Council School, the transfer arising because the grade of Pontardawe Boys' school dropped from Grade III to Grade II.

From end of 1939 to 1945 during World War II, the school was affected in many ways. Arthur Moses followed W. John as head teacher in 1940, and D. J. Daniel took charge of Wern School, Ystalyfera. Fifty-two evacuee pupils of Glencoe Boys' School, Chatham, Kent, were admitted. Two teachers, Mr. F. B. Semple and Mr. C. T. Cox, accompanied them. On July 8, the number had increased to 82. From July in, 1940, to February 19, 1943, the siren warned the proximity of enemy aeroplanes. The boys soon marched to their shelters. Although teachers looked after their schools in the night, it was surprising how fresh they were for their day's work. Only once a plane flew low over the school, but fortunately no bomb was dropped.

The Boys' School is an excellent building, consisting of seven classrooms opening on to a corridor and flanking a central hall, and was completed