Royal Cambrian and Llandrindod Wells Residential School for the Deaf

Records of the School, 1950-1975, and of TG Richards, Headmaster 1965-1973. The records comprise a school log book, 1950-1969; a pupils' leaving book, 1957-1968; newspaper cuttings, [1965x1975]; notes compiled by the donor about his father, TG Richards, [2016]; photocopy of a short history of the School, written in 1967; and a CD containing scenes of school events and activities, compiled from 8mm cine film taken by TG Richards in the 1960s.

The education of deaf or hearing-impaired children in Wales began as early as 1847, when the Cambrian Educational Society took practical steps to gain public support in establishing an institution for the education of children with hearing and speech impediments. The new School, funded by donation or subscription, was initially located in Aberystwyth. In 1850 it moved to Picton Place, Swansea, and in 1857 to a new building at Craig Field, Swansea. In 1898 the Institution was formally styled as ‘The Royal Cambrian Institution for the Deaf and Dumb.’ As a result of the intense bombardment of the city of Swansea during 1941, the School was forced to evacuate their Craig Field site and find alternative premises in Newbridge-on-Wye and Rhayader.
The need for education for deaf children continued to grow during this period and by 1950 the School Trustees, finding it difficult to meet increasing demand, transferred responsibility for the School to the Welsh Joint Education Committee. The School relocated to spacious premises in Llandrindod Wells and opened on 17 October 1950 with 157 pupils. The Governing Body of the School consisted of one representative member of every Local Education Authority in Wales, and maintenance costs were shared by the participating local authorities. In 1973 the School closed, following changes in the provision of education for deaf and hearing-impaired children.

Arranged by record type.

Readers consulting modern papers in the National Library of Wales are required to abide by the conditions set out in information provided when applying for their Readers' Tickets, whereby the reader shall become responsible for compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998 in relation to any processing by them of personal data obtained from modern records held at the Library.
Please note that access to some records may be not be available because they contain sensitive information about individuals who are still alive, in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

Donated by Mr David Richards, Rhayader, September 2016.

The education of deaf or hearing-impaired children in Wales began as early as 1847, when the Cambrian Educational Society took practical steps to gain public support in establishing an institution for the education of children with hearing and speech impediments. The new School, funded by donation or subscription, was initially located in Aberystwyth. In 1850 it moved to Picton Place, Swansea, and in 1857 to a new building at Craig Field, Swansea. In 1898 the Institution was formally styled as ‘The Royal Cambrian Institution for the Deaf and Dumb.’ As a result of the intense bombardment of the city of Swansea during 1941, the School was forced to evacuate their Craig Field site and find alternative premises in Newbridge-on-Wye and Rhayader.
The need for education for deaf children continued to grow during this period and by 1950 the School Trustees, finding it difficult to meet increasing demand, transferred responsibility for the School to the Welsh Joint Education Committee. The School relocated to spacious premises in Llandrindod Wells and opened on 17 October 1950 with 157 pupils. The Governing Body of the School consisted of one representative member of every Local Education Authority in Wales, and maintenance costs were shared by the participating local authorities. In 1973 the School closed, following changes in the provision of education for deaf and hearing-impaired children.

The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: the Cambrian Educational Foundation for Deaf Children website (www.cambrianeducationalfoundationfordeafchildren.org.uk/history/history.html), viewed 6 February 2017, and information contained within the collection itself.

Please note that access to some records may be not be available because they contain sensitive information about individuals who are still alive, in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

The catalogue can be accessed online.

February 2017

Compiled by Lorena Troughton.

Usual copyright laws apply.

All records donated to NLW have been retained apart from duplicates, which have been destroyed.

Accruals are not likely.

Two envelopes containing photographs have been transferred to the NLW photographic collection.
1 CD containing scenes compiled from 8mm cine film footage showing outside activities in the school grounds (including sporting events) and school holiday trips has been transferred to the National Screen and Sound Archive Wales.

Published

Llyfrgell Cenedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales