Schools

How much do we know about the schools in Whitchurch? There’s lots to discover, so we’ll have to explore in a series of articles. So, this one’s the first

Quoting Dylan Thomas, to begin at the beginning…

It’s not unsurprising to realise that education in the early years was provided by the Cathedral in Llandaff. Apparently, there are records of an early school dating from the 10th century which continued up to the 18th century where children from Whitchurch could benefit from education. In fact, a report from 1817 notes that a National School in the Cathedral ‘village’ provided ‘facilities for the poor children from Whitchurch and other hamlets in the Parish of Llandaff’

There were ‘circulating schools’ in 1752 at Whitchurch Parish Church, in 1753 at Ffilock (Philog) Whitchurch and in 1758 Tynycae Whitchurch; none of these schools lasted long. However, out of the circulating schools grew the Sunday School movement. Mainly from the Methodists (at Melingriffith) and copied by the Anglican Church. It was basic education, and reading was encouraged, from the Bible. Reports from Church Commissioners at the time list 92 children attending Sunday school at 3 chapels in Whitchurch

With the coming of the Quaker ironmasters to Melingriffith in the 1780s, with their enlightened attitude for the wellbeing for their workers, they established scholastic facilities for the children. There are records of an Edward Williams, Schoolmaster at Melingriffith in 1786. I wonder whether this man was Edward Williams ‘Iolo Morgannwg’ the famous/infamous historian who was living in Llandaff at that time? Does anyone know?

The Quakers at Melingriffith were keen to establish a school for the whole village too, and in 1807, consideration was given to establishing a British Society School. A meeting was held and the sum of £53 3s and 3d was raised. As many as 63 children attended the new school, but it had closed 3 years later

A report by William Davies (the senior vicar choral at Llandaff) reported that in 1818 there were two day-schools in Whitchurch with 24 boys and 6 girls and a Sunday school (probably St Mary’s) with 60 boys and 46 girls. A further 20 Whitchurch children attended school at Llandaff

Then, a report of 1842 refers to a school kept by Thomas Phillips in a small outbuilding adjacent to the Fox & Hounds pub. The well-known photograph below shows the Fox School in the early days

Thomas Phillips taught basic reading, writing and arithmetic. Children attended school until they were 13 years old (although some left aged 10 to work at the local mills). A report 5 years later noted that the Fox School was held in a building 30 x 15 feet and had accommodation for 75. Fees paid by the parents amounted to £39 for the year

That same report of 1847 stated that there were two dame schools as well, one started in 1839 by a Miss Crea and a second with a Miss Jordan. Her school was threequarters of a mile from the village and met in a room 13 x 13 feet with accommodation for 28 children (but with 40 enrolled!)

In 1847, only 108 children attended school, less than 8% of the population

The 1847 report is considered notorious and began the controversy against teaching through the Welsh language. Remember, at that time, the great majority of the local population were monoglot Welsh speakers

Thomas Phillips of the Fox School died in 1858, and is buried in old St Mary’s churchyard. His headstone reads ‘for 35 years schoolmaster’

After all these attempts, steps were taken to establish a National School in the village. TW Booker was an enthusiast and provided a £1,000 loan to construct a school building. By 1854, the vicar and churchwardens negotiated a parcel of land in Tynypwll Road from the Wingfield and Mackintosh estates and construction commenced. We’re not sure of the date, but around 1855 the school opened as a combined mixed and infant’s school. This school provided education for the whole parish. The parents of each child attending had to pay 2d per week

With the growing population, other schools popped up in Whitchurch. There was already the school in Penylan for the workers at Melingriffith, a Miss Eliza Brangham had a school in the vicinity of the common between 1855 and 1888 and Robert Small had a boy’s school at the Philog (he was previously an assistant teacher at the National School). Because of his reputation, he charged one shilling a week per boy for ‘superior’ education

There’s so much to write and explore!

Hopefully, another time we can look at the continued growth of the village, the expansion of the infants and junior schools, and the building of the schools we still see about the village today

Has this article prompted any memories of yours? We’d love to hear

 

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