I recently posted about the first Welsh medium secondary school to open in de Cymru (south Wales), Ysgol Gyfyn Rhydfelen. Well, here’s a separate post about the first Welsh language school to open outside of Cymru!
What’s the School?
It was on this day (8 September) in 1958 when the first Welsh language school in England, London Welsh School, opened its doors for the first time. It was likely not the first Welsh language school outside of Cymru as there had been Welsh language schools in Y Wladfa (Patagonia, Argentina) as early as 1880.
Initially, the school (based in Hungerford Road, London) had 12 pupils. These days, the school can still be found in its present home of Hanwell Community Centre, where it provides full time education (through the Welsh curriculum) for children from the ages of 3 to 11.
I think it is a great idea, personally. The Welsh language belongs in both Cymru and England and I am always delighted to read the stories of Welsh learners.
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Niklas is the founder, owner, manager, editor, writer, video creator, voice over artist, and so forth, of Welsh Histories. He is passionate about the preservation of Welsh culture; the rejuvenation of the Welsh language and the promotion of Welsh history. Niklas currently resides in Pune, Maharashtra, with his beloved wife.