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THE history of education in Llantrisant is firmly based in the varied religious institutions and Sunday School services which rapidly flourished between the 17th and 19th centuries. The Norman parish church however, was the starting point for the education movement, although it was one that would take a century or more to fully develop into a successful entity. Until then Llantrisant, despite its prominence, customs and commercial wealth, was still regarded as a town of unsavoury individuals. Drunkenness (with almost 30 public houses in fewer than six streets), street-fighting mayhem and even prostitution were widespread. The population was largely illiterate and poverty became so uncontrollable that the first Workhouse in Glamorgan was opened in the town.
In 1699, the Reverend James Harries pledged his support for the work of the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge (SPCK) and by 1700 hoped to secure schooling for the poor. In 1701 he established two charity schools and by 1716 had 30 pupils on the roll in a town where, according to parish records, parishioners were 'lazy and mutinous' and 'addicted to sports, even in divine service'. The reverend felt he would become 'forced to restrain them' against atheism. From 1739 to 1773 a circulating school of teachers held classes in the Town Hall and Corn Market (now the police station), patronised by Lord Bute. By 1800 there were three charity schools in Llantrisant, but the system was deplorable. From 1811 onwards a national effort was made to augment the work of the parish schools and such a venture attracted widespread support. The National Society was founded as a result of actions of churchmen who had been closely involved with the work of the SPCK. Held in dilapidated buildings and churches, demand for national schools far outstripped supply and Llantrisant ran them with costs raised through collections, subscript0ions and payment by parents. At Llantrisant the national school was built on the work by the SPCK and the circulating school. Teaching was largely confined to moral and religious topics and the instruction of the three 'Rs'. But lessons were irregular and troublesome as a teacher would instruct a group of 10 or 11 year old monitors who would impart that knowledge, to 20 or 30 younger children in a class. 
The Victorian School
By 1833 parliamentary grants were issued through the British and Foreign School Society and the National Society and gradually the church lost its hold over the school system in favour of a state-run scheme. Standards were set, extra teachers employed and payments were made to the school depending on results. All schools were issued with log books, the contents of which continue to cause plenty of enjoyment and interest. Flogging of boys was widespread, work was ill-prepared and children were insubordinate. One Llantrisant lad was condemned for 'drawing ludicrous figures on the slate and showing them to the boys.'
In 1865 Canon Powell Jones became Vicar of Llantrisant and during his incumbency the National Schools were set up in the old town. Following the Education Act of 1870 new schools and school boards were established. The Llantrisant National School was opened in 1867 and extended in 1897. They were built on West Caerlan, the property of the Earl of Talbot and Shrewsbury who presented the land for the use of the school, which cost '2,000 to build. |
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During its infancy as a school Canon Powell Jones continued to show increased interest in the education of the local children and was particularly concerned at the level of absenteeism ' more often than not due to the fact that parents were unable to pay for their children's education. Holidays were frequent, such as the half-day break to witness the carnival-like return of Sir David Evans to the school. The arrival of the fair four times a year was another perfectly acceptable reason for the closure of the school as was the restoration of the parish church in 1873. Some of the children were allowed time to collect water during the drought, or even operate the toll gates. Some of the log book entries at the time read: 'Howard Ajax absent having his shoes mended.' 'Many of the boys absent because of the hunt. Gone after the hounds'. 'Gave Robert Bamfield leave for the afternoon to go to the mountain for water for his father.'
Due to the poor sanitary conditions in the town, epidemics, particularly of smallpox, were widespread and often forced the untimely closure of the school. Daniel Lloyd introduced a new strict regime to ensure an overall improvement in the school following his appointment as headmaster in 1881. He instilled fear in the hearts of pupils and parents alike. Phillip Dooley was punished with four raps on the hand for impudence to a pupil-teacher. Later this same boy threw two stones at the pupil teacher 'in the presence of his mother.' When the mother of the boy was summoned to the school, the master made it plain that her son would be readmitted on the understanding the boy would be punished. He received two strokes of the cane on the hand and six on the stern. Her Majesty's inspectorate were not too flattering at first although standards rose dramatically in Llantrisant. For the next 70 years the school operated under a succession of headteachers who earned the praise of the town folk. The school played an active role in the development of the town, ensuring it remained at the heart of the town's community.
By the early 1970s a new school was built on land overlooking the Common. Named Coed yr Esgob since it was opened close to the wooded area of the former Llantrisant Vicarage, the original school was mothballed. But due to the hard work and tireless efforts of local parents, a campaign to open a Welsh medium school eventually bore fruit. In September 1976 Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llantrisant was opened and within a year John Pugh was appointed headteacher. During the same period another school, at Penygawsi was opened. In 2002 the Welsh school celebrated its Silver Jubilee with a memorable dinner at The Vale Hotel but this joyous event was also be marked with a shroud of sadness as the town prepares itself to bid one of its oldest landmarks a fond farewell. The school closed at Easter 2005 and the pupils and staff were transferred to a new school in neighbouring Miskin. |
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