Craig-y-Nos prep school

 

Everything has an ending, and this blog starts with the ending.  2014, Craig-y-Nos prep school, located in Clyne Common, finally closed its doors after 94 years.

Let’s go back to the beginning.

Adelena Patti

Of course, it starts with a mystery.  January 1920, Craig y Nos, was founded, by founders James and John Lloyd, as to why they named the school Craig y Nos, could be that they were devotees of Adelena Patti, of Craig y Nos Castle.  Adelena had died a few months earlier.  Two years earlier, Adelena, presented to Swansea, her Winter House, having been re-erected in Victoria Park, and renamed the Patti Pavilion.

Pagefield Cottage
Page Street
now the Quaker Friends Meeting House

The first location of the school was in a room at Pagefield Cottage, Page Street.  This cottage latterly became the Quaker Friends Meeting House.

Who were James and his younger brother John Lloyd?

They were both master graduates of Keble College, Oxford.  James, served as a Captain with the Welsh Regiment, whilst John a Lieutenant, with the South Wales Borderers during the First World War.  During the Second World War, James, served as a Major with the Home Guard.  Both brothers died close.  John, died in the October 1954, and James a few months later, January 1955.

The local press at the time advertised the school as “preparatory school for young gentlemen”, and it was affectionally known as Lloyds School.

5 Sketty Road, Swansea
credit - googlemaps

The school had been open for two terms, when the numbers rose from six to eleven, the school moved to 5 Sketty Road.   It was here that they school remained until 1923, the numbers rose.  Sports were played, and during 1921, the school was granted to use land by nearby Penlan House.  The home, of Walters family.  This alleviated the walk to Singleton Park to play football!

The fees at this time were £10.10.00 per term, where subjects that were taught were Mathematics, English, French and Latin.

The school moved in 1923, to new premises, Glanmor House, Parc Wern Road.  The location of the house was on Myrtle Grove, with grounds stretching down to Sketty Road.  Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd could look after up to eleven weekly boarders.

James Lloyd became the Captain of Clyne Golf Club.

The school remained at Glanmor House until the early years of the Second World War, when it was commandeered by the army.  Prior to D-Day, American officers utilised the house, while troops camped at Singleton Park.

68 Sketty Road, Swansea
credit - googlemaps

During this period, education was difficult, due to the confusion and uncertainty.  The school was spilt into two – John moved with several boys to join Wycliffe Court, which had been evacuated to Lampeter, while James and his wife, moved to 68 Sketty Road, where the school continued with the remaining nineteen pupils.

Two major problems during the war were the provision of transport and food.  James would often take the boys by tram into town for lunch at Woolworth’s canteen.  Pupils would travel via public transport, 68 Sketty Road became and unofficial bus stop.

56 Eaton Crescent, Swansea
credit - googlemaps

Following the end of the Second World War, the school, didn’t return to Glanmor House, but once again moved in 1946, to 56 Eaton Crescent. The building was used for both teaching and residential purposes. James and his wife and John all lived on the upper floor.

Following the death of John Lloyd, in 1954, Ernest Walters M.A. (Cantab), was appointed to assist James.  February 1955, following the death of James, Ernest purchased the school from Mrs Lloyd, and he became the headmaster.  The numbers had grown to 75 boys aged from 8-13.  1960, science was introduced thanks to the involvement of the ESSO petroleum company.

Craig-y-Nos prep school became a charitable trust in 1971; Ernest Walters retired in 1973. The next headmaster was David Virgo.  Mr Ken Johnson was appointed the headmaster in 1976.

Former Nazareth House Children's Home, Swansea

There were changes during the following years, a pre prep department was opened in 1977 to accommodate boys from the age of five.  Following the closure of St. Andrews School, Eaton Crescent, in January 1978, girls were admitted.  The school moved again in October 1983, from Uplands, to site of the new Murton Garage, Clyne Common.  The site was the former Nazareth House Children’s Home.  The most changes educationally was the cessation of the Common Entrance Examinations.

The numbers of pupils had dropped, and it was thought that the move to Clyne Common would regenerate the school, however, there were only 24 names on the school roll in September 1984.  Mr Garth Fursland, who was only the teaching staff for 10 years was appointed head in September 1985.

The school became an independent primary school, accommodating boys and girls from 5-11. 

With the pupil numbers dropping, the school finally closed its doors in 2014.