Painting of the National School, Oxford Street, Swansea, by Kenneth Hancock, c.1911
The Oxford Street National School, Swansea, was opened in about 1863, and originally taught boys, girls and infants. In 1932 the infants department was closed, and the boys' and girls' departments became senior schools. This painting was made by Kenneth Hancock for the National Schools' Centenary Brochure.
The National Schools were developed in the early 19th century to provide some education for the children of poorer families in Britain. The National Society was established in 1811 in order to set up Anglican schools. There was no state funding of education at that time, and schools for the poor had to rely on voluntary contributions, although the National Society also benefitted from the Anglican Church. By 1833, when the British government began to fund schools, there were 146 National schools in Wales.






