Llanystumdwy National School

Llanystumdwy National School was a national school located in Llanystumdwy, Gwynedd, Wales, near the River Dwyfor and close to the Snowdonia National Park. The school was attended by David Lloyd George, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, who was born in Manchester but raised in Llanystumdwy by his uncle, Richard Lloyd George, a Baptist minister. Lloyd George went on to attend the Porthmadog County School and later studied at the University of London, where he developed his skills as a Barrister and became involved in Liberal Party (UK) politics, working closely with Herbert Henry Asquith and Winston Churchill. He also played a key role in the Paris Peace Conference and was a strong supporter of the League of Nations.

● History

The history of Llanystumdwy National School dates back to the 19th century, when it was established as a national school to provide education to the local children of Llanystumdwy and surrounding areas, including Criccieth and Porthmadog. The school was supported by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education, which aimed to provide education to children in England and Wales, particularly in rural areas like Gwynedd and Anglesey. Many notable figures, including David Lloyd George, Owen Owen, and Elias Owen, attended the school, which was known for its strong emphasis on Welsh language and Welsh culture, as well as its connections to the Baptist Union of Wales and the University of Wales. The school's history is also closely tied to the Industrial Revolution and the growth of industry in North Wales, including the development of the Ffestiniog Railway and the London and North Western Railway.

● Architecture

The architecture of Llanystumdwy National School reflects the traditional style of national schools in Wales during the 19th century, with a simple and functional design, similar to other schools in the region, such as the Bangor Normal College and the University College of North Wales. The school building was constructed using local materials, including stone and slate, which were also used in the construction of other notable buildings in the area, such as the Caernarfon Castle and the Conwy Castle. The school's design was influenced by the Gothic Revival style, which was popular in Wales during the 19th century, and is also seen in the architecture of other notable buildings, including the St Asaph Cathedral and the Llandaff Cathedral. The school's architecture is also comparable to that of other national schools in England and Wales, such as the National School (Church of England) and the British and Foreign School Society.

● Notable Alumni

Llanystumdwy National School has a number of notable alumni, including David Lloyd George, who went on to become the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and played a key role in the Paris Peace Conference and the establishment of the League of Nations. Other notable alumni include Owen Owen, a Baptist minister and Welsh language advocate, who worked closely with David Lloyd George and Elias Owen, a Welsh language poet and hymn writer, who was also a strong supporter of the Baptist Union of Wales and the University of Wales. The school's alumni have also included notable figures in Welsh politics, such as Gwynfor Evans and Dafydd Wigley, who were both involved in the Plaid Cymru party and worked towards the establishment of a Welsh Assembly. Many of the school's alumni have also gone on to attend prestigious universities, including the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and the University of London, where they have studied a range of subjects, including Law, Medicine, and Engineering.

● Curriculum

The curriculum at Llanystumdwy National School was focused on providing a well-rounded education to its students, with a strong emphasis on Welsh language and Welsh culture, as well as the traditional subjects of Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic. The school also placed a strong emphasis on Religious education, with a focus on Christianity and the Bible, as well as the teachings of the Baptist Union of Wales. The school's curriculum was also influenced by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education, which aimed to provide education to children in England and Wales, particularly in rural areas like Gwynedd and Anglesey. The school's students also had the opportunity to study a range of other subjects, including History, Geography, and Science, which were taught by qualified teachers, including Graduates of the University of Wales and the University of London.

● Closure and Legacy

Llanystumdwy National School closed its doors in the 20th century, due to declining enrollment and the consolidation of schools in the area, including the establishment of the Ysgol Eifionydd and the Ysgol Glan y Môr. Despite its closure, the school's legacy lives on, with many of its former students going on to achieve great things, including David Lloyd George, who became one of the most notable Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in history. The school's building has also been preserved and is now used as a Museum and a Heritage centre, where visitors can learn about the history of the school and the Llanystumdwy area, including its connections to the Snowdonia National Park and the Ffestiniog Railway. The school's legacy is also celebrated through the Llanystumdwy Festival, which is held annually in the village and features a range of events and activities, including Music, Dance, and Theatre performances, as well as Food and Craft stalls, showcasing the best of Welsh culture and Welsh language.