National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales preserves and celebrates the sound and moving image heritage of Wales, making it accessible to a wide range of users for enjoyment and learning. Its film collection reflects every aspect of the nation’s social, cultural and working life across the 20th century, giving a fascinating insight into Welsh filmmaking, both amateur and professional.
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Hanes Ysgol Bro - The Story of an Area School
If the heart of a village is its school, how do communities cope when closure looms?
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Overview
In 1970s rural Wales, many old, small primary schools are no longer fit for purpose. New community schools are in some cases the answer, but there are concerns in and around five affected schools in Ceredigion - from parents, children, teachers and residents - about loss to communities, longer journeys, and more. This thoughtful film probes the issues with sensitivity and insight.
This film’s simple title, which means ‘Story of a Community School’, belies the complex issues that it gently explores. Ysgol y Dderi, in Llangybi near Lampter, opened in 1976 – a design and building project between the Dept. of Education and Science in London, The Welsh Office and Dyfed County Council. Five small village schools (Cellan, Silian, Llangybi, Llanfair Clydogau and Betws Bledrws) were closed in order to provide a better environment for pupils to learn and play together, with Gartheli Primary school in Llwynygroes also closing in 1984 and folded into Ysgol y Dderi.
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