Dwr-y-Felin Comprehensive School (Welsh: Ysgol Gyfun Dŵr-y-Felin) is a comprehensive school in the Cwrt Herbert community of the town of Neath in South Wales, Wales. The school badge shows a watermill and mill stream in reference to the school name, in English 'water of the mill' or 'mill stream'. The badge also uses the acronym DCS to represent Dwr-y-Felin Comprehensive School.
It is situated on Dwr-y-Felin Road, off the A474 next to Neath Port Talbot College (former Neath College before 1996) and close to the former Nidum Roman fort.
History
Former schools
School cap Neath Boys' Grammar School
The school can trace its origin back to 1894 when, following the Welsh Intermediate Education Act 1889, an Intermediate and Technical School for 200 scholars was established [1] to serve the population of Neath. The names Neath Boys Grammar School[2] and Neath Girls Grammar School[3] were adopted following the post-WWII introduction of the tripartite education system. Prior to that the schools had the name 'county school' as they were administered by the local (county) authority; "Neath County School" can still be seen over the old staff entrance to the school. In 1953, also under the tripartite education system, Rhydhir Secondary Modern School was established.
Neath Boys Grammar School was noted for producing many well-known rugby players and for its music (in particular an orchestra composed of now very successful and notable musicians). Neath Girls' Grammar School was also notable for its music and the achievements of its alumnae. The grammar school motto was Gorau Arf, Arf Dysg ("The best weapon is the weapon of learning").
Comprehensive
The school opened its doors for the first time in September 1973 following the ending of grammar school education in the Neath area. The Upper School was housed on Dwr-y-Felin Road in the buildings of the former Neath Grammar School adjacent to Neath Port Talbot College, while the Lower School was situated on the campus of the former Rhydhir Secondary Modern school in Longford, Neath Abbey. Since a site amalgamation which took place on 6 September 2012, all school facilities are located at the former Upper School, with an extra building having been constructed at a cost of 9.7 million pounds.
Headteachers
The inaugural Headteacher was Dr R.J. Graham, previously the Headteacher of Neath Grammar School for Boys. Mai Edwards[4] (1926-2017), the Headmistress of Neath Girls' Grammar School, became Headteacher of the new Cefn Saeson Comprehensive School. Dr Graham left circa 1987–89. Dr D. Stokes was the Headteacher of Dwr y Felin Comprehensive School from the mid-1980s until August 2002.
Mr N Stacey was appointed Headteacher in September 2002. He left in 2012 and was replaced by Mrs S E Handley. She left in 2019 and was replaced by Mrs P J Peet. As of 2024[update], the head is Miss C Richmond.[5]
