Gwaenysgor School History

For most of its history there was no formal education in the village. The first school was in Craig yr Ysgol, which would have looked quite different in those days. This was available only to those who could afford to pay.

After the 1830s, most education in the village, for adults and children, was carried out in the Non-conformist Sunday schools, its main aim to enable people to read the Bible.

Following the National Education Act of 1870, a National or Church of England School was opened in 1876. This was not welcomed by the Non-Conformists and subsequent open conflict in the village ensued until in 1905 a non-denominational Board School was opened.

The National School closed in 1909. The Board school was closed in 1969 and is now the illage Hall. The war of the schools is described in detail in Roger Hadley’s book On Common Ground.

This article appeared in the local papers in 1969

School Closing

Seven year old Tracey Griffiths presents their teacher, Miss Mona Davies, with a gift on the occasion of the closing of Gwaenysgor C.P. School. Pictured are the last remaining pupils, who will now go to Dyserth C.P. School, left to right, Sharon Price, Lorraine Jones, Meryl Price, Tracy, David Parry and front Trevor Davies.

Ten years ago Gwaenysgor residents won a two year reprieve from Flintshire Education Authority from the proposal to close the village school, but in actual fact the school only closed on Friday for the last time. The number of pupils had dwindled to six or seven, and these pupils are now to attend the C.P.school at Dyserth.

To mark the occasion the last remaining pupils together with other children from the village, arranged a concert to which all parents were invited, and at this the opportunity was taken to make a presentation to Miss Mona Davies, who has been a teacher at the school for the past 20 years. Miss Davies is going to Ysgol Hirradug in Dyserth with her pupils so they will not feel entirely lost.

The schoolroom was filled when Mr Frank Kett, chairman of the school governers, presided. Also present were Mr W Ebdale Jones, clerk to the parish council, and CouncillorJ A Hoggarth, Gwaenysgor representative on Holywell Rural Council. Mr Kett said the Deputy Director of Education, Mr Davies was unable to be present and Councillor William Hughes, one of the school managers had sent an apology.

The gathering was welcomed by six-year old Meryl Price, who said it was their final curtain call. From 1908-1969 those walls had seen a line of pupils past and present and learning time well spent, and they came to give their warmest thanks to Miss Davies.

A programme of songs,, a piano solo and duets and group recitations and group singing followed, with Miss Rank at the piano. The children had been trained by Mrs Thelma Price.

The chairman thanked the children and Mrs Price.