Former National School, Llanengan
In August 1846 an agreement was signed by William Williams, rector of Llanengan parish, to build and maintain a National School on the land of Llain y Llan. The land was given for the purpose by the landowner, Thomas Assheton-Smith of Faenol, near Bangor. The old photo shows the school on the left, close to St Engan’s Church.
This was a result of a summons given to the Church of England in August 1840, through the authority of Queen Victoria, to erect schools for the poor throughout England and Wales. The schools were to be supervised by Her Majesty's Inspectors. The aim was to educate the children in the principles of the Church, including reading, writing and arithmetic – all in English.
News of the plan to create a school in Llanengan connected to the Church of England spurred Nonconformists to open an alternative British School in the village in 1845.
The National School’s elegant and unique design is thanks to Henry Kennedy, Thomas Assheton-Smith’s architect. Medieval Dutch influence can be seen on the beautiful gable walls.
Children were educated here from 1846 to 1909. The school was also used for community events, including concerts in the 1890s. Evening classes were introduced in 1904 for local residents to learn skills such as clothes-making.
The school continued, but with a declining roll, after Ysgol Sarn Bach was established under the authority of the county education committee. Pupil numbers at the National School had become so low by summer 1909 that an inspection was ordered. The rector and others resisted closure, but the school closed at the end of September 1909 with only 19 pupils present.
The building was used for classes again between 1929 and 1936 when Ysgol Sarn Bach underwent major repairs. The old school is now a house and is a listed building.
With thanks to the Diogelu Enwau Llanengan group
Postcode: LL53 7LH View Location Map