Tom John (editor of the ‘Rhondda Leader’ and the first Welshman to become president of the ‘National Union of Teachers’) said that "there was a laborious effort made by several speakers at the meeting [the opening ceremony] to dissipate the fear that this splendid institution would work serious opposition and injury to the county school nearby".

The school was built to cater for pupils between the ages of ten and fifteen years-old, but there were many problems from the start.

[5] After the death of headmaster John Stradling Grant in 1914, Richard Chalke took over as head of the school.

At the same time the school was merged with the ‘Pupil Teachers College’, where once a week students would take turns in teaching their peers.

During his visit, Michael Sheen spoke with the pupils and told them that he was "saddened" by the lack of funding for drama schools and clubs throughout Wales.

The Rhondda Cynon Taff council has said that the school closures would be part of their proposed £75 million investment, which they say would provide "improved educational facilities" and "opportunities" for nearly 7,000 children.