Figure 1.--This photograph shows the boys at the Aberdare Boys Grammar School in 1957. The school had a uniform, but apparently the older boys did not have to wear it. Some of the younger boys wear short trousers and kneesocks. Some boys wear caps, although not for the portrait. |
The school was founded as the Aberdare County and Intermeduate School in 1896. The school was coeducational and began operations with 140 students. The curiculum at first included: commercial geography, history, English compositioin and literature, mathematics, drawing, Latin, modern l;anguages, natural sciences, drill, and vocal music. Instrumental music could be taken for an added fee. Instruction in the Welsh language was avilalable, but not required. There was a special curriculum for girls which included cookery, sewing, and laws of health. (Apparently these were laws the boys didn't need to learn.)
The school was founded as the Aberdare County and Intermeduate School in 1896. The school was coeducational and began operations with 140 students. The curiculum at first included: commercial geography, history, English compositioin and literature, mathematics, drawing, Latin, modern l;anguages, natural sciences, drill, and vocal music. Instrumental music could be taken for an added fee. Instruction in the Welsh language was avilalable, but not required. There was a special curriculum for girls which included cookery, sewing, and laws of health. (Apparently these were laws the boys didn't need to learn.) A 1896 newspaper article stressed the importance of the girls learning these skills to be "real help-mates to their husbands".
The number of pupils rose to 300 by 1005, despite the fact that the school had been over crowed from the beginning. The school provided meals to students for 5 pence, an uncommon accomodation at the time. Most students walked to school, but there were boarding arrangements for those living a greater dustance. Boarders had to be in their houses by 8:00 pm during the Winter and Spring terms and 9:00 pm during the Spring term. Activities included concerts, plays, eisteddfodau, Christmas parties, a Noson Lawen, and sports such as football, cricket, croquet, tennis, and hockey. The Mountain Ash Intermediate School was opened in 1907 to reduce crowding at Aberdare. Aberdare because of its location could not be expanded.
We are unsure what the language policy was at the school. We do know that in 1896 when the schoolwas fonded that Welsh was still eidely spoken. The national schools established in Wales, however, did not allow Wlshb to be spoken and children would be punished if the spoke Welsh, The children speaking Welsh would be reprimanded and humiliated. A child might have to wear a wooden piece witn the letters "WN" meaning Welsh not. Children were encouraged to report on one another. (This is the origin of the english phrase "To Welsh on".) This was probably not the case of a grammar school. Most boys entering a grammar school were from the middle class and most probably spoke english in the home. This is a suposition and we would be interested to hear more details from Welsh readers.
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The girls were separated and sent to their own school on Cwmbach Road. The school wanted to retain the coeducational appraoch, but this was apparentky necessary to reduce crowding. Coeducation was realtively novel at the time for secondary schools.
Many old boys participated in World War I. During the War a cadet unit was formed. After the War, the Past Student's Association collected money for a war memorial and sports pavilion.
During World War II the school seved as a rallying point for a First Aid Party. The Ilford County School for Boys in 1940 was evacuated and came to share the school buildings. The School Musical society gave annual concerts during the War, including two biroadcasts. A joint orchestra was formed with the girls' school in 1944. The joint orchestra performed at the national Eisteddfod after the War in 1946.
The school was a traditionally operated grammar school. Noys had to pass the 11-plus examination to gain entrance.
An expanded new school was opened in 1965 at the bottom of Cwmdare Roiad. The school became a Comprehensive in 1978.
We have no information on the uniform, if any, when the school first opened in 1896. We do have some early photograpgs, but they are undated. We do have some information on the uniform in later years. The boys seem to to be well dressed in the early years, but there does not seem to have been a uniform. we hsave no detasils on the dress code. Even in the 12940s after the war, there still does not seem to be a uniform. A black blazer uniform appears to have been introduced about 1954.
One interesting aspect of the Aberdare school uniform is that in the 1950s it was purchased from a cooperative society rather than a school outfitter. A British reader writes, "I had recollections of Mum buying my school uniforms through a co-op in the UK. You could also buy your food and groceries through there as well, but obviously a different department. In some of the later issues of the school magazine you can see the same co-op offering mens clothes as well.
They were exactly what they were supposed to be, a co-operative outlet for the same item but cheaper. Presumably parents found the uniform items too expensive in the school outfitter shops."
The school does have a wonderful internet website with photographs, copies of the magazine, and all kinds of other information of historical interest.
Morgan, K.J. "A short history of Aberdare Grammar School".
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Created: July 18, 2003
Last updated: 6:44 PM 12/25/2004
