| Description | Records, 1855-1977, of North Wales Training College and its successor St Mary’s Training College; student record books, 1883-1943 containing enclosed papers relating to examinations and correspondences up to 1962; student report books, 1906-1926 containing enclosed student practice reports, papers relating to examinations and correspondences; minute books, 1855-1974 of governing committees, subscribers committees, quarterly and annual committees, house committees, financial committees and executive committees, with enclosed correspondences; staff register,1883-1977, with enclosed correspondences; wage books, 1934-1967 with enclosed notes up to 1968; 4 box files containing files and loose papers 1908-1977 relating to various issues including the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act 1908, The McNair Report (1944) college building schemes (1950s), acquisition of St Winifred’s site (1968), the new B.Ed degree course (1960s), college regulations and disciplinary procedures (1970s). The enclosed and loose papers consist of correspondences, minutes, meeting reports, Articles of Government, newspaper articles, notebooks, a map and photographs; medical records, 1973-1977; registers of religious services, 1963 (and service programme and confirmation list ,1973-1977, with enclosed service programmes up to 1984; student testimonials 1935-1941, with enclosed notes; college paper “The Carnarvonian”, 1888-1892; photographs, early 20th century-1973. |
| AdminHistory | The college originated between 1842-44 amidst the educational mania of the time as an annexe to the National School in Caernarfon. As a purely local affair its committee explained their purpose “to train and instruct (gratuitously) young men who may be desirous of becoming National Schoolmasters, with a view more especially, to their adaptation to the peculiar circumstances of North Wales.” The first schoolmaster was James Foster and in a building on South Road he began to instruct children in preparation for vocations as teachers in the local welsh-speaking rural and village schools. In 1855 however due to financial difficulties, the school came under the auspices of the National Society and was given the official title The North Wales Training College. Under the election of newly found subscribers the new college governing committee now consisted of members of the clergy and laity of both Bangor and St. Asaph diocesan boards including some of the original Caernarfon members. The following year the Marquis of Anglesey’s Baths and adjoining houses on Church Street were purchased for the new resident college. They were transformed into dormitories, residences for the Principal and Vice-Principal, a dining Hall, Lecture Rooms a library and by 1871 the bath tower was converted into the college chapel. The teaching staff consisted of a Principal who fulfilled the administrative duties, a Vice-Principal and the vicar who did most of the teaching and the domestic staff that included the house keeper and a cook. Admission included stringent entrance exams and by 1863 the training course for the certificate had extended to two years with studies in both secular subjects and divinity. Recreational activities included football and cricket, days out, and trips on the college boat. The 1870s saw a new future president set for the college with a majority of English students entering which meant that training welsh students for welsh schools ceased to be its priority but its establishment had been set as the first old students gathering in 1871 testified. When fire destroyed the premises in 1891 it has sufficient momentum and credibility to move to Bangor.
With support in land and money from Lord Penrhyn the new training college for women was built in Bangor and opened in 1893 with accommodation for 60 students. Initially a single building the following years saw additions such as a college chapel and three new wings added which contained classrooms, a common room, a library, a lounge, a sitting room for the staff and a total of 62 bedrooms for students. Originally under the complete jurisdiction of the National Board of Education in 1929 the University Board of Colleges became the examining body for all the training colleges in Wales with the objectives of improving the administration and organizational pattern of teacher training and education. The governing structure now included a Central Board and a Local Board of Studies which consisted of members of the constituent college or university and the Principle of each training college in the area. By now the college was internally administered by governing, housing and financial committees and a staff that included the Principal, a Lady superintendent, lecturers in academic and domestic subjects, a nurse and medical officer, domestic and ground maintenance staff, with prefect students helping to supervise the students. With more monitoring and inspections, the teaching and academic standards had also toughened up with higher standards expected in admission examinations, in academic and practical teaching progress over two years and in the final examination for the certificate.
In 1944 however the findings of The McNair Report and The Education Act began a gradual but complete reconstruction of the education system into a more comprehensive system of teachers training in England and Wales. Within the National Federal University of Wales a new central University Education Board was established with Schools of Education at each University College to govern most aspects of teachers training colleges in their area. Now within the new University framework all the training colleges were renamed and St Mary’s became known as St Mary’s Training College with factors such as the regulations, syllabus, examinations, school practice, admissions and teaching staff under the direct supervision of Bangor University. The course was now extended to three years with more emphasis on the Welsh language and heritage and on domestic subjects and sports/ physical education. Under the plans to expand teachers training and increase student candidates St Mary’s like other colleges saw extensions built and facility improvements in the 1950s with the hope of accommodating 350 students by 1968. By the mid 60’s plans were underway to encompass the 3 years course for the teacher’s certificate into a Bachelors of Education 4 years degree course and by the early 1970’s this had been established at St Mary’s. But by this period the days of the training colleges and semi-independent educational establishments were coming to an end and with the unfavourable Plowden, Gittins and James governmental reports St Mary’s was finally closed in 1977 and incorporated into Bangor University. |