Vaynor and Penderyn School

Vaynor & Penderyn School

Cefn Coed, Merthyr Tydfil.

The recently closed Vaynor and Penderyn School was officially opened on the 1st October 1932; although in June 1990 the school celebrated an important 250^th anniversary. A circulating school was originally established on the site in 1740 with 47 pupils, one of the oldest Welsh school sites. Education continued here in 1861 when Robert Thompson Crawshay founded the Cefn Boys and Girls School and part of that building formed the modern school. The iron-master did not always provide his workforce with free education. From 1866 onwards each worker was charged a penny per week for each child in education. In 1870 the school was handed over to the management of a School Board and became part of the developing state education system. The Headmasters were Trevor Lovett, 1932-45, Dr Gordon Williams, 1945-1959,Tegwyn J. Harris, 1959-1973, and Mr C.H. Whittingham B.A. from 1973.

Famous former pupils included the ‘Last of the Summer Wine‘ actress June Freeman.

Notable Entries from the log-book include:-

*An inspection report in 1875 complained that the ‘main room is of an awkward construction

and too crowded’.

*1892 ’Difficulty of establishing discipline in the school. Obscene language freely indulged in’.

*1902 ‘ A lad came to school after an absence of over a week. He was flogged.’

Photos etc are split up into relative years. To view, click on the time / event you wish to see.

General photographs of the school are on this page.

1930's	1940's	1950's
1960's	1970's	1980
1981	1982	Late 1980's
1980's Sport	1990's & 2000's - Page 1	1990's & 2000's - Page 2
1990's & 2000's - Page 3	General Sport	Swimming Gala
Bike Rides - Page 1	Bike Rides - Page 2	Grand Reunion of Staff - 2004

Opened by Robert Crawshay in 1861, this school building remained part of the school until its closure in 2005.

Photograph from Merthyr Express.

Science at Vaynor & Penderyn School.

(Photograph Courtesy of Steve Jackson)

Science at Vaynor & Penderyn School.

(Photograph Courtesy of Steve Jackson)

Geography at Vaynor & Penderyn School.

(Photograph Courtesy of Steve Jackson)

Catering at Vaynor & Penderyn School.

(Photograph Courtesy of Steve Jackson)

Cooking at Vaynor & Penderyn School.

(Photograph Courtesy of Steve Jackson)

'Study Time' at Vaynor & Penderyn School.

(Photograph Courtesy of Steve Jackson)

P.T. at Vaynor & Penderyn School.

(Photograph Courtesy of Steve Jackson)

The Hall / Gymnasium at Vaynor & Penderyn School.

(Photograph Courtesy of Steve Jackson)

Woodwork at Vaynor & Penderyn School.

(Photograph Courtesy of Steve Jackson)

Pupils of Vaynor & Penderyn School, Cefn Coed with their Headmaster.

Dr. Gordon Williams M.Sc Ph.D. watching the television projector, the first to be

owned by a school in South Wales.

(Photograph From The Merthyr Express)

Headmaster, Caretaker and Canteen Staff.

Vaynor & Penderyn School Play 'The Importance of Being Ernest'

L-R: Joan Lewis, Hubert 'Bill' Jenkins & Joan Parry.

(Photograph Courtesy of Bill Jenkins)

Vaynor & Penderyn School Play 'The Importance of Being Ernest'

Back Row L-R: Howard Chappell, Tom Jones, Elwyn Bowen & Trevor Williams.

Front Row L-R: Joan Lewis, Joan Parry, M. Evans & Mary Bond.

(Photograph Courtesy of Bill Jenkins)

Vaynor & Penderyn School - In 1995.

(Photograph Courtesy of Steve Jackson)

Vaynor and Penderyn School - Last Teaching & Administration Staff.

Back Row L-R: Sarah Wheeler, ?, Nigel Dudley, Phil Cole, ? & Mark Dorricott.

Middle Row L-R: Phil Ray, Trina Davies, Natalie Richards, Susan Thomas, Islwyn Thorne, Judy Richards,

Rose Gilbert, Anne Thomas & Carol Jones

Front Row L-R: Steve Jackson, Andrew Beddoe, Rhos Williams (Headteacher), Claire Benson & Gaynor Jones.

(Photograph Courtesy of Susan Thomas)

A Grand Reunion staff was held in 2004 at Merthyr Tydfil Golf Club: Cilsanws.

Click Here to see the commemorative booklet issued for the event.

Vaynor & Penderyn School Closed - 2007

(Photographs: Alan George)

Do you have any photographs or information regarding Vaynor & Penderyn School?

If so, please email us, by clicking the 'Contact Us' button.

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