A drawing of the school by K Bounds

Trelewis School History is very interesting and luckily Susan Rosser did a project for her examinations at Ystrad Mynach college and choose to chronicle the school from 1878-1978, she has kindly let me reproduce it for this website, I hope you all agree it’s an excellent piece of work and a valuable resource for our heritage

Trelewis school 1878-1978

100 years of Education at Trelewis school by Susan Rosser

The following historical work was created by Susan Rosser, formerly of Bontnewydd Terrace and Gelligaer Road, it was almost 50 years ago, as part of her college course and is now a valuable addition to this web site and I would like to thank her for producing this and allowing to be viewed here.

Contents

  • Before 1878
  • History of the school 1878 onwards
  • Punishment books
  • Centenary celebrations

Chapter one Before 1878

Wales has always been in advance of most countries as far as schools are concerned. Before the 1870 Education act our people were setting up small schools.

The Rev. Gruffydd Jones became Rector of Llanddowror, Dyfed. He wrote to the SPCK (Society for promoting Christian Knowledge) on September 22nd, 1731. As a result, he procured a supply of Welsh bibles and taught his own parishioners to read. He cultivated a scheme of travelling teachers so that people throughout Wales could be taught to read the bible. This is where Trelewis came to share in one of the most interesting and significant experiments in the history of education in Wales, namely the Welsh circulating charity schools.

In 1758-59 a circulating school was held in Pen-y-Bontnewydd farm, Trelewis, the school remained in the area for 3 months usually in the wintertime. The purpose of the school was to teach people to read and not to make gentlemen but Christians.

Trelewis during the early 19th Century was a rural village, Mr TW Lewis describes it as purely agricultural. In 1872 the tide of industrial development reached the area when FW Morris, a London shipowner commenced to sink the pits then named Deep Navigation colliery.

Middle 19th Century children were not compelled to attend school. In 1870 the Elementary Education Act was passed. This made education compulsory, but parents paid a fee of two pennies a week (2d) the fee was abolished in 1891.

The History of the School 1878 onwards

This part of the junior School was the first building erected and was still in use right up to the school closure in 1984

On Tuesday afternoon, January 1st, 1878, the Bontnewydd board school was opened in temporary premises at the Ebenezer school room Trelewis.  Fifty children were present along with Mr Davies from Merthyr Tydfil who was there for the opening.

In February 1881, there is a reference to the school being moved to new premises, Mr Thomas, the headmaster, had complained during the year that he was unable to do justice to Geography and Grammar lessons. Mr Thomas’ first entry in his logbook week ending May 27th, the school by this time was very overcrowded

“The attendance officer called on Monday, but I did not give him the names of “irregular” children as the school is already overcrowded.”

W/E November 4th

The new school was opened on Tuesday afternoon, the first convenient premises, there were no markings of registers.

Records of Attendances/work in the early days of the School

January 5th, 1884

Fitters have been placing gas pipes at the school this week

April 22nd, 1885

Workmen are engaged these days at the separate access to the Infants school

March 23rd ,1888

A stove was fitted in the school today by a mason under the superintendence of Mr W Davies, Pontlottyn

August 10th ,1888

In the recess, painters have refurbished the premises

May 7th, 1889

There is a movement on foot to secure water to the premises beside that supplied from the water tanks on the roof, which must be unhealthy to drink, and children will persist in drinking it whilst it’s the only supply available on the school premises.

On April 11th, 1893. The infant school was made a separate department from the mixed school.

In the annual report for 1899 it is hoped that the school board would carry out proposals to build a new infant school. The contractor started on the new buildings on November 16th, 1900.

The new infant school was opened on Monday August 26th ,1901. The rooms formally occupied by the infants in the mixed school were added to the accommodation of that department.

In the first two months as head teacher Mr John Bedford Thomas, in June 1913, wrote in his logbook-

“The water has ceased altogether now. Mr C Marshall of the water company has visited the premises, and his opinion is that the old three eights iron pipes will have to be replaced by three quarter lead pipes.

The old iron pipes have become eroded and so the water cannot pass through, the new water pipes were laid down September 12th, 1913.”

After nearly 3 and a half years of negotiations regarding premises for school meals, work on the erection started the last week of February 1946 in the playground of the infants’ department. The canteen was opened on March 18th, 1947, a day in the history of schools. Approximately 50 % of the children were catered for. The first day was excellent both to the regards of quality and quantity. I would like to record my appreciation of the whole-hearted cooperation of the staff, said W Adam Jones. The first record of providing a mid-day meal was made on week ending May 27th, 1898. An effort is made to supply a mid-day meal to the neediest from a fund collected locally for the purpose.

The Average number of children who took their meals to school was-

Winter Months Mixed School Boys 6 Girls 6

Summer months Mixed School Boys none, girls none

Winter months Infants School Boys 9 girls 15

Summer months infants School boys 2 girls 7

A new chapter opened in the history of Trelewis School on the 8th of January 1951, the school reassembled on a reorganised basis, as from that date 124 children proceeded to Bedlinog secondary modern school, forty-one children were transferred fourteen boys and twenty-seven girls.

On September 26th, 1963, a new temporary classroom was erected in the infants’ playground. During the months November and December 1963 work started on the installation of central heating, the heating was switched on January 28th.

During the winter of 1977-78 work started on providing the school with new indoor toilets for the children. During its last few years as a school, being a pre-war building, it was in the top category for replacement, and a new school was opened A new school opened in Trelewis in September 1984. It replaced the old buildings of the separate junior school and infant department. The new primary school is positioned in idyllic surroundings providing safe access well away from the main road. The school is built in the semi- open plan system.

Extracts from Trelewis School log books 1878- 1973

1878- 1914 log book

W/E February 1st, 1878

The homework received special attention throughout the week, the lessons given were well learned

W/E March 8th, 1878

“I endeavoured to teach these songs, ‘Mill Wheel’ and ‘See the Sun is Peeping,’ by notes, by means of the modulator of the Tonic Sol-fa notation.” This was the first attempt

W/E March 15th, 1878

There was special attention made to order and discipline this week. In the lower classes the children were well drilled in their multiplication tables

W/E. April 12th ,1878

On Thursday evening one of the scholars, John Walter Davies, died very suddenly…special attention was made to cleanliness and in the attire and habits of children during the week.

W/E August 2nd, 1878

I had some problem with getting the children into discipline this week Special attention was given to marching singing and exercising during changing of lessons

W/E August 23rd, 1878

Five pupils were expelled this week in consequences of their unruly conduct in school

W/E November 22nd, 1878

There was no opening of the school on Thursday and Friday in the consequence of the examination. The school children’s’ treat took place on the Thursday after the examination

W/E March 7th, 1879

Cautioned the school children on being unruly on the highway.

W/E March 14th, 1879

Cautioned the children respectfully on the importance of punctuality and regular attendance.

W/E April 18th, 1879

The tone of the school is improving, although some of the eldest boys are still very unruly.

W/E May 23rd, 1879

Took the second and third standards in Geography and I found the want of a classroom in giving these lessons

W/E August 8th, 1879

Holiday on the Monday owing to the soldiers that were camping in the neighbourhood holding their grand review.

W/E September 19th, 1879

Punished several boys for stealing corn from the Harvest field.

W/E April 23rd, 1880

The first, second and third standards have made great improvements during the week in the three Elementary subjects

W/E June 25th, 1880

We had no school on Monday due to there being a meeting in the school room

W/E September 16th, 1881

Owing to the Scarlet fever and ringworm, average attendance has been considerably lowered this week

W/E October 14th, 1881

As the majority of children speak Welsh at home and in the streets, it is a very difficult matter to secure sound intelligent reading. I have advised them to speak English in their play and on their way to school.

W/E December 16th, 1881

Owing to the absence of gas lamps, I was unable to proceed according to the timetable

W/E March 10th, 1882

Owing to the very contagious disease affecting the eyes, several of the children have been kept at home

W/E March 16th, 1883

Several children whose parents have secured employment elsewhere, have moved from the district recently, part of this neighbourhood lately is inhabited by a somewhat Nomadic tribe

W/E February 15th, 1884

The number of children is increasing as the population of this place becomes more settled

W/E October 23rd h, 1885

The school is closed for 3 weeks owing to the epidemic

W/E July 6th, 1886

Weather very dry and sultry, – scarcity of water in the village has meant some children being kept home to carry it.

W/E March 25th, 1887

The books and apparatus are now in stock except ruled blackboard and slates for infants.

W/E June 24th, 1887

The weather is very dry, there is a scarcity of water in the village again this year, it is hoped that an ample supply will soon be forthcoming through pipes recently laid.

W/E September 14th, 1887

Dr. Dyke, the sanitary inspector or rather medical officer of health, called here today. Advised precautions for the spread of smallpox, a case of which as occurred in Treharris.

W/E October 6th ,1890

Mrs Davies, School house, died of Typhoid fever, the school closed for a fortnight by order of the board.

W/E August 14th, 1895

Nearly all the people of the village, men, women and children have gone to see the 41st regiment at Treharris this morning, it seems useless to open the school.

W/E May 21st, 1897

In view of the approaching Diamond Jubilee celebrations, some patriotic songs have been practised

W/E May 25th, 1900

A holiday was given yesterday in honour of the Queen’s birthday

This is the School house where all the head teachers lived throughout the years and Brian Jones the school caretaker occupied during his time there. It still survives today (2026)

W/E February 7th, 1902

The School has now been furnished with new locker desks

W/E July 4th, 1902

Notwithstanding the postponement of the coronation due to the illness of the King , the children were regaled with tea on the appointed day.

A photograph courtesy of Edward Tate of some the Trelewis infants in 1904

W/E June 16th, 1911

School breaks up again for the Coronation

W/E November 11th, 1911

“This was once a very Welsh district but with the influx of newcomers has of late become much more Englishised”, a remark made by a visitor to the school

W/E July 31st, 1913

Sixty cases of Measles, whooping cough and Scarlet fever reported.

School house with one of the former headmasters

W/E November 13th -17th 1918

Holiday to celebrate the declaration of Armistice with Germany

W/E April 25th, 1921

The provision of meals act put into force

A photograph of the Trelewis Children 1930

W/E November 29th, 1934

Holiday wedding H.R.H Prince George to Princess Marina

W/E November 17th, 1936

Holiday- his majesty King Edward V111 passes through Trelewis

W/E July 31st, 1939

The school did not open until September 11th on account of the declaration of war against Germany

W/E May 11th-May 19th ,1940

School reopened on May 14th by order of the government-due to the German invasion of the home counties

W/E July 13th ,1940

First air raid warnings at 10-15, all clear at 10.52 am

W/E September 2nd ,1940

Air raid warning at 9.54 am, all clear at 10.45

W/E November 11th, 1940

Air raid warning 3.20 pm All clear at 3.40pm

W/E May 8th to 9th ,1945

Holiday- Victory in Europe

W/E June 6th ,1946

As part of the victory celebrations, tea was provided for the children…Each child was given a shilling and a personal message from H.M. King George V1

Wendy Lloyd (rainbow dress) Rita Jones and friends 1946c

W/E September 16th, 1947

Telephone installed

W/E November 20th, 1947

School closed on the occasion of the Royal wedding HRH Queen Elizabeth

Post second world war photograph of very happy Trelewis children

W/E April 14th ,1948

School dinner prices reduced from 5d to 4d for the Summer term

W/E November 26th, 1948

School closed -Birth of royal Prince Charles

W/E January 10th, 1950

Power points being installed in School

W/E December 20th, 1950

During the evening, the whole village assembled at the Christmas tree to welcome Father Christmas who arrived in a giant cracker and distributed gifts to every child in the village

W/E December 19th, 1956

Poultry was supplied for the Schools Christmas dinner for the first time

W/E March 7th, 1957

Workmen commence the installation of Electric lights at the infants Dept.

W/E November 30th, 1959

First payment of teachers’ salaries by individual cheques

W/E July 27th ,1960

Mr W Adam Jones (Head master)  retired Today from the service of the Authority, Mr Thomas took over as headmaster

Teachers gather around to thanks Headmaster Jones for his work at the school and celebrate his retirement

W/E March 2nd ,1962

Many children visited the Doctors Today to be vaccinated, in view of the outbreak of Small Pox in the Rhondda Valley

Some of the older children 1962

W/E March 10th ,1964

A number of families from Fife have arrived at the Shingrig estate, the first of the children arrived at the school today.

W/E March 5th, 1968

Twenty-four children took their County entrance examination Today ( The last of the old 11+)

W/E November 25th, 1969

Mr John Vodden (BBC producer) called to meet standard 4 children, the voices of several children were recorded

More children from the sixties in the girls juniors yard.

W/E December 4th ,1969

Standard 4 children were heard in the BBC broadcast “Exploring Wales”

W/E December 8th ,1971

Mr W Smith visited the school (Bontnewydd terrace) At ninety-one years of age he has vivid memories of early days at the school

W/E January 10th ,1972

National coal strike has commenced

W/E June 27th ,1972

The final selection list of Grammar school places to hand. In future the children from Trelewis will proceed to Afon Taff Comprehensive as a result of boundary changes.

March 10th, 1978

Centenary dance at the Ex-Serviceman’s club

March 13th, 1978

Centenary service at the school for children only (in the afternoon)

Evening- Old tyme concert for all the senior citizens

March 14th, 1978

A Children’s party, two prizes (a boy and a girl) to be given to the most original old tyme costume.

Memorial mugs

March 16th ,1978

Cheese and wine Party in the school hall for parents, old pupils and friends

In 1978 Susan concluded that the present School staff consisted of- a Head teacher, and eleven infant and junior staff.

The School house is situated inside the school grounds, where all the head teachers of the school had lived.

The oldest living pupil is Mary Jane Gaines, now living in London, she was born on October 31st, 1886 at 1 High Street, Trelewis…the children of the junior school did a house to house survey of the residents of Trelewis to find the eldest living pupil

Written by Susan Rosser 1978

New school, new beginning

Trelewis Primary School – from 1984 to the present

The present Trelewis Primary School opened in September 1984, replacing the older separate Trelewis Junior School and Infant Department. The earlier school buildings had served the village for more than a century, with education in Trelewis dating back to 1878. The new 1984 school was built on a more spacious site in the fields behind the old school, close to Tir Bach Farm, and was designed on a semi-open-plan basis. Access from the village was provided by the distinctive footbridge crossing the former railway line.

Over the following decades the school developed from the original 1984 building into a modern primary school educating children from nursery age through to Year 6. Nursery provision was increased and extensions and improvements were made to the school as pupil numbers and educational requirements changed. Merthyr Tydfil Council records show that Trelewis was among the primary schools receiving extensions and improved Foundation Phase facilities.

A particularly important period came in the 2000s. In the 2006–07 Estyn inspection cycle, Trelewis Primary received Grade 1 in all seven inspection areas, placing it among a relatively small group of Welsh schools achieving the highest grades across every category that year.

By 2012, the school had 205 pupils aged three to eleven, including 26 full-time nursery pupils. Estyn judged both the school’s performance and its prospects for improvement as Good. Inspectors particularly praised pupils’ progress, behaviour, ICT skills, leadership and the school’s use of the local area to teach children about Welsh heritage and culture. Trelewis was also noted as the first school in Merthyr Tydfil local authority to gain a UNICEF Rights Respecting Schools award.

The school continued to grow. By 2018, there were around 240 pupils in eight classes. That year’s Estyn inspection rated standards, wellbeing and teaching as Good, while care, support and guidance and leadership and management were both judged Excellent. Inspectors highlighted the strong relationship between the school and parents and subsequently invited Trelewis to produce a case study so that its approach to parental involvement could be shared with other schools.

This became one of the school’s recognised strengths. Estyn published Trelewis’ work on “Parents as Partners” as an example of effective practice, describing an approach intended to make the school a child-centred school at the heart of its community.

Another important change began in November 2018, when Trelewis Primary and Bedlinog Community Primary School began working together under an informal federation arrangement. This developed into the Taff Bargoed Learning Partnership, with the two schools sharing leadership, expertise, training and resources while retaining their individual identities. A formal federation and joint governing structure followed in 2020.

The school buildings have continued to evolve as well. In 2020, planning permission was approved for an additional classroom building with a sheltered walkway connecting it to the existing school. Welsh Government funding of £270,000 had been allocated for a Foundation Phase classroom extension, helping the school respond to demand and provide additional early-years provision.

More recently, Trelewis has continued to concentrate on literacy, inclusion and support for individual pupils. It received a Gold Catch Up Literacy award in 2023 and a Platinum award in November 2025, when the school was reported as having around 230 pupils.

Today, more than 40 years after the 1984 school opened, Trelewis Primary remains the village’s main primary school, educating children from approximately 3 to 11 years old. Its grounds now include playgrounds, a large playing field, forest/outdoor-learning areas and gardening facilities, while the school remains part of the Taff Bargoed Learning Partnership with Bedlinog.

In short: the 1984 opening marked the beginning of a new era for education in Trelewis. It brought the old infants and junior departments together on one modern site, and during the following four decades the school expanded its nursery and classroom provision, achieved notable Estyn results, developed a strong reputation for community and parental involvement, and became part of the wider Taff Bargoed Learning Partnership.