Aberdare Boys’ Grammar School

During the 1950s, 60s and 70s admission to the school was dependent on success in an examination usually called the 11-plus exam, or in earlier years the entrance scholarship exam. This examination consisted of written papers in Arithmetic, General Composition, Essay, and a test in Mental Arithmetic. We were schooled hard in our final years at Primary School to face these exams. The exam was held in February and the results were published in the Aberdare Leader at the end of May. In the early days of the school, the age at entry was more commonly 12+, though there were exceptions to this.

Entrance Scholarships Announced, 1914

Entrance Scholarships Announced, 1915

Entrance Scholarship Results, 1931  new

Entrance Scholarship Results, 1933

Entrance Scholarship Results, 1934

Entrance Scholarship Results, 1935

Entrance Scholarship Results, 1940
Includes results for entry into both Boys’ and Girls’ Schools

Entrance Scholarship Results, 1941
Includes results for entry into both Boys’ and Girls’ Schools

Entrance Scholarship Results, 1942
Includes results for entry into both Boys’ and Girls’ Schools
from Malcolm Lloyd

Entrance Scholarship Results, 1945
Boys’ and Girls’ lists for Aberdare
from Dave Lewis

Entrance Scholarship Results, 1947
Boys’ and Girls’ lists for Aberdare
from Gareth R. Davies

Entrance Scholarship Results, 1948
Boys’ and Girls’ lists for Aberdare

1950 11-plus marks list

1952 11-plus pass list
Including all schools in the Cynon Valley.
from Drew Hamas

1952 letter from the Local Education Authority
from Drew Hamas

1953 11-plus pass list
Including all schools in the Cynon Valley.

1957 11-plus pass list
Including all the schools in the Cynon Valley.
from Colin Rees

1961 11-plus pass list
Including all the schools in the Cynon Valley.

Mental arithmetic
Some sample mental arithmetic practice papers set at primary school.
from Colin Rees