It was a small, inner-city school with just a few hundreds pupils, and that's what makes its legacy even more impressive.
Situated in the centre of Swansea, it produced an extraordinary number of pupils who went on to excel in their chosen fields.
They include MPs, entertainers, lawyers, sportsmen, and even a man whose work is credited with helping to bring World War 2 to a premature end.
It also provided a schooling to someone who became a religious leader to more than 80 million people across the world, and his classmate who became a familiar and much-loved figure living on the streets of the city.
The Higher Grade School was founded in 1883 in Trinity Place before moving ten years later to the site from where it would take its ultimate name.
First though, it was the Swansea Municipal School, before adopting the name by which it is most well known - Dynevor; later Secondary Grammar, finally Comprehensive.
Even today, approaching twenty years after it closed for good, its former alumni retain strong affections for the school; The Old Dy’vorians Association still thrives, and it regularly hosts reunions and an annual dinner.
But is there a reason why such a modest sized establishment should be responsible for producing so many notable names?
Former Dy’vorian Tudor Price, who was a pupil at the school between 1958 and 1965, went on to spend 35 years mostly in senior management roles in the steel industry.
He is also the author of two books, Among Some Swansea Schoolboys, which details the lives lost of former staff, pupils and their families during the two world wars.
He said: “I think people would say certainly that Dynevor had a life cycle.
"A great number of teaching staff were former pupils who went on to university or training, and then came back. A disproportionate number of staff were old boys, who were themselves highly committed.
“It was a sort of signature for the school.
“In the days of the scholarship examination, or 11+, pupils were selected for limited places at the school, often mixing with a different set of students from their junior school.
“In the comprehensive school years pupils automatically moved on to secondary education according to their postcode, usually among the same junior school group.
“Inevitably it made for a different school affiliation; your class mates were perhaps a more significant focus than the particular school you attended.
“Nonetheless, although the school itself closed in 2002, the long established former pupil association, the ODA thrives today with a large membership, and actively seeks and welcomes new members from former and current students and staff of the school and university.”
The school celebrated its centenary in 1983, but the advent of tertiary education in the same year signalled the beginning of the end.
The phasing out of its sixth form began, along with an inevitable decline in pupil numbers.
It was the responsibility of the school's last head teacher, Allan Smith, to supervise the transfer of Dynevor's pupils to the site of the former Dillwyn Llewelyn Comprehensive School, for the creation of the new Dylan Thomas Community School, in 2001.
Dates in the evolution of Dynevor School
School was founded in 1883 as Higher Grade School in Trinity Place
1894: Moves to Dynevor Place
1907: Became Swansea Municipal School (when it became managed by the local authority and not the school board) - was known as The Mun Sec.
1930: Becomes Dynevor School
1944: Became Dynevor Secondary Grammar School.
1971: Becomes Dynevor Comprehensive School.
1978: Amalgamates with Llwyn-y-Bryn Girls' School
2002: School closes.
2002: Site adopted and transformed to become the Dynevor Campus of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
Educational facilities remained on the Dynevor site for a further year while Year 9 and 112 pupils completed their studies and exams.
In July, 2002, past pupils and masters were invited back for a last farewell, before the doors finally closed for good.
Some of the school's most notable former alumni include:
Percy White
Born in 1916 and attended Dynevor before graduating from University College Swansea with honours in chemistry. He worked for the Ministry of Supply where he developed a much less labour intensive method of filling shells with high explosive, before moving to Aldermaston where he contributed to the development of Britain’s first atomic bomb in October, 1952, tested off the coast of Australia.
Edward ‘Taffy’ Bowen
The ‘father of airborne radar’ was born in 1911 in Cockett. After Dynevor he went to UC Swansea, and began a career as a physicist, making a major contribution to the development of airborne radar, making it small enough to fit into aircraft, which helped win both the Battle of Britain and the Battle of the Atlantic. After the war he continued to make contributions to peace-time applications of radar and radio astronomy.
TJ Rees
The director of education in Swansea for much of the first half of the 19th century, he was a major force in the founding of Swansea University, and building the training college at Mount Pleasant.
Percy Morris MP
The trade unionist and former railway man was an Alderman of Swnsea and Justice of the Peace, and Deputy Regional Commissioner for Civil Defence in the Wales Region, before being elected Labour MP for Swansea West in 1945, an office he served in until 1959.
Harry Secombe
The comedian, actor and singer was a member of the legendary British radio comedy programme The Goon Show alongside Spike Milligan and Peter Sellers, playing many characters, but most notably, Neddie Seagoon. An accomplished tenor, he also appeared in musicals and in later years was a presenter of religious television shows.
'Could do better'
Harry Secombe, writing in his autobiography, Arias and Raspberries
"Dynevor was a school where the emphasis was on learning, and it provided a good pre-university education for boys like [Harry's brother] Fred, who was clearly destined for an academic career.
"For me, it was like stepping into the world of [comic] The Magnet with [its characters} Harry Wharton and his pals. The masters wore gowns, and we had a school orchestra, cricket nets, a fives court - all brand new experiences for me. Chaps played pranks on the masters just as the Greyfriars boys did in my favourite comic.
"I chose to take Frence and German rather than Welsh and German, and was put in the 'A' stream. This turned out to be a somewhat unfortunate for me because my brother was also an 'A' pupil, and every master reminded me of how well he had done before me.
"'Hope you're as good as your brother', they'd say, patting me heavily on the head with some weighty tome.
"But of course, I never was - except in English and art. When the exam results came out I would be 29th in arithmetic, 31st in algebra and 1st in English and art.
"'Could do better' was the theme of every housemaster's end-of-term summary of my efforts."
Judge Stuart Batcup
A district judge who worked on cases across Wales for more than two decades. First on the Wales and Chester circuit, mainly at Neath, before transferring to the Surrey group of the south eastern circuit, mainly at Staines on Thames.
'The happiness created pervaded the whole ethos of the school'
Stuart Batcup: "One of the main things that made the school special for those there from about 1956 to 1963 was the fact that Harry Secombe was a Goon.
"Every day after a Goon Show had been broadcast the school yard reverberated to the sound of copy cat idiots repeating the lunatic gems of the night before.
"The happiness created pervaded the whole ethos of the school, with even the sternest of our masters grudgingly acknowledging that at that time he was our most famous ‘Old Boy’.
"One of the major School prizes was the Harry Secombe Cup which he, of course presented, and was the same shape as him!"
Spencer Davis
Founder of sixties beat band, The Spencer Davis Group, who had number ones with Keep On running and Somebody Help Me.
Dudley Sinnett
The former professor of breast surgery at Imperial College London, he became a consultant at the Institute of Cancer Research and honour consultant surgeon at the Royal Marsden Hospital. He was the consultant breast surgeon and director of breast services at Charing Cross Hospital, and has been quality assurance surgeon for the National Breast Screening programme in London.
Dudley has been the national secretary of the British Association of surgical oncology and helped produce national surgical guidelines for the treatment of breast cancer.
Previously a member of the Medical Advisory Committee of Breast Cancer Care, in 2018 he became chairman of the board of trustees of Breast Cancer Haven, a national charity supporting patients who have breast cancer.
'Worrying about ducking'
Dudley Sinnett: "I had the privilege to go to Dynevor in 1960, from Brynhyfryd school, and follow in the footsteps of my father, uncle and grandfather. My first memory is of worrying, the night before I started at Dynevor, about the traditional "ducking'. My close friend, Dewi Morris (Dewi Pws), said he'd protect me, but of course he didn't.! Despite that, we are still close friends!!
"Friendships made at Dynevor have lasted a lifetime. Whether it was through playing sport, house competitions or just being in the same form.
"The teaching staff were so dedicated and many went out of their way to help, be it music, drama or sport. There were the fives courts, football matches in the yard and cricket nets in the summer. All of those left lifelong memories together with the unforgettable sports field - The Ganges - on Townhill with memorable sports days in the summer term.
"Those friendships made in school have lasted a lifetime, partly helped by the thriving Old Dyvorians Association, of which I am proud to have been its President in 2014.
"School experiences can be so very different for everyone but I honestly believe that Dynevor was a great beacon light in typical Welsh grammar school education tradition in giving one a sense of belonging and fostering ideals and characteristics which have certainly moulded my life and allowed me to achieve my goals. Diolch yn fawr Dynevor."
Jeremy Charles
The son of football legend Mel, and nephew of John, Jeremy played for Swansea City, Oxford United, and Queens Park Rangers, as well as representing his country.
'It was the sports that interested me'
Jeremy Charles: "Having been able to walk to my previous schools Cwmbwrla and Manselton it was a new and exciting experience having to catch the bus into the city centre every day to Dynevor.
"Dynevor had not long turned into a comprehensive school and had a good academic record but it was the sports that interested me more.
"I was very lucky to have so many talented footballers and staff around me which helped me go on to fulfill my dream of playing for the Swans.
David Mercer
The broadcaster won the Welsh Junior Doubles tennis title in 1968, and qualified as a solicitor, practising in Swansea. From 1973 to 1984 he umpired at Wimbledon, notably the men's singles final in 1984, won by John McEnroe against Jimmy Connors, as well as Davis Cup ties and other tournaments, before becoming a full-time broadcaster.
He has commentated on tennis for BBC on both radio and television, including the Wimbledon men’s singles finals in 1999 and 2000. He is also a regular commentator for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
'Long lasting friendships'
David Mercer: "I was just at Dynevor for two years, 1965-67, in the sixth form studying economics, English and history at A level.
"I had two very happy years there, benefiting from excellent teaching and making a number of long lasting friendships, especially with Dudley Sinnett who went on to be a leading cancer surgeon in London.
"I played some sport there, cricket and badminton, and was very sad when the school closed. I am still a member of the Old Dyvorians."
Rowan Williams
A Welsh Anglican bishop, theologian and poet, who was the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury between 2002 and 2012, the principal leader of the Church of England and the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, which has 85 million members. He now sits in the House of Lords as Baron Williams of Oystermouth.
'The enormously positive and creative spirit of the school'
Reverend Rowan Williams: "‘I had a difficult start in Dynevor because we’d just moved back to Swansea from Cardiff, so I knew no-one in the new school.
"But I very soon made new friends and came to appreciate the enormously positive and creative spirit of the school.
"By the sixth form, I couldn’t have been happier – I felt stretched and encouraged by some wonderful teachers who were always ready, it seemed, to go out of their way to help and challenge and extend horizons.
"And our year was very active in extra-curricular things – drama and music and debating groups and so on.
"I felt and still feel very fortunate to have experienced a learning community like that, the very best of Welsh secondary education of that era.
"In my first term at Cambridge, I occasionally felt it was quite tame by comparison. We were taken seriously and helped to see that there was a big world out there in intellectual and imaginative terms. I still think it would be hard to beat the best of our teachers by any measure."
Nigel Evans MP
Born in 1957, he worked at his parents’ newsagent and convenience store in Townhill, Evans the News. Since 1992, he has been Conservative MP for Ribble Valley. He was shadow secretary of state for Wales from 2001 to 2003, and has served as vice-chairman of the Conservative Party. He has been a member of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee since 2005.
'The head, Mr Norris, was an imposing figure'
Nigel Evans: "It was a delight to go to Dynevor as the final grammar intake - and it had a great reputation.
"Unbelievably, the 6th former who happened to show my parents around the school during an open evening was one Julian Lewis - I didn’t know him then, but our paths joined and followed the same path.
"The head, Mr Norris, was an imposing figure. Discipline was a byword throughout but with the stress on arts and creativity. The teaching staff were brilliant and I particularly thank Mr Taylor my English teacher for encouraging my writing.
"I believe it was the brilliant staff, along with the ethos of encouragement which really helped push the pupils. And from the son of a Townhill grocer that helped my attain my dream. Thank you Dynevor."
Julian Lewis MP
The 67-year-old contested the Swansea West constituency in 1983, and has been Conservative MP for New Forest East since 1997. He was a shadow defence minister from 2002 to 2004, and from 2005 to 2010, also serving as shadow minister for the Cabinet Office from 2004 to 2005, and as an opposition whip from 2001 to 2002.
He was a member of the defence select committee and the Welsh select committee, and has been elected to the executive of the Conservative Party's 1922 Committee. He served on the Intelligence and Security Committee for five years before being elected chairman of the defence select committee in 2015, and again in 2017.
'A useful apprenticeship in political infighting'
Julian Lewis MP: "My father, Sam, had attended Dynevor – then known as the Municipal Secondary School – in the mid-1920s, but had to leave at age 14 after only three years to join the family tailoring firm.
"He saw it as an excellent grammar school and encouraged me to follow in his footsteps.
"At Dynevor I developed my interest in politics, history and defence. My first form-master and later English teacher, Graham Davies, encouraged this by setting topical essays on challenging subjects.
"The school Debating Society was a vital asset, though at one stage we had to beat-off an attempted far-left takeover – a useful apprenticeship in political infighting! The intellectual debt I owe to the school and its staff, whose strong personalities I clearly recall half a century later, can never be repaid."
Mal Pope
The musician and composer was signed by Elton John while still in school. He has written songs for Cliff Richard and The Hollies, and toured with Art Garfunkel and Belinda Carlise. He is a radio and television presenter, including on an eponymous music chat-show which won a number of Welsh BAFTA Awards, and has written musicals, Amazing Grace, Contender, and Cappuccino Girls. He jointly runs YJB Films, which produced critically acclaimed film Jack To A King.
'One day my teacher thought I should be in French class. Instead, I was up recording in Abbey Road'
Mal Pope: "The fact Dynevor was in the city centre was quite interesting. It was right in the heart of things.
"I was one of the first pupils when it had turned into a comprehensive school. There were still some older pupils who were prefects who had been in the grammar school. It still had some of that grammar school ethos but it had a great atmosphere - a real ‘can do’ attitude.
"It wasn’t just academic either, it was good for sports and music and drama. Jeremy Charles helped get us to the final of the British Cup in football.
"Because it wasn’t too big you got to know most of the pupils in the school, and got involved in things.
"In 1973 I had just signed my first record deal, and one day my teacher thought I should be in French class. Instead, I was up recording in Abbey Road."
Steve Balsamo
A singer and songwriter who played Jesus Christ Superstar in London’s West End during the 1990s. Frontman of The Storys, which toured the UK and Europe, as well as supporting Elton John, Katie Melua, and Joe Cocker, he has written songs for Meatloaf, Slash, Cliff Richard, and worked with Jon Lord of Deep Purple, as well as Americana and country duo Balsamo Deighton.
'Reeking Rita Roberts...you could smell coming 10 corridors away due to her perfume addiction'
Steve Balsamo: "I really enjoyed school. I had some great friends, and some great teachers.
"Allan Smith was the head and a lovely fella. Some great characters like Mr Deveraux, art, and Reeking Rita Roberts, who was the English teacher who you could smell coming 10 corridors away due to her perfume addiction.
"I really enjoyed David Taylor's English classes as he was an actor and really brought stories to life.
"And special mention and place in my heart goes to Peter Lewis, who taught physics.
"He played bass guitar, had a left-hand drive VW Camper he brought back from Germany and encouraged my brother Andrew and his mates to start a band.
"They had so much fun that I plucked up the courage to start singing. So Peter was very instrumental, pun intended, in me getting started."
Kevin Johns
The entertainer has presented the breakfast show on Swansea Sound for many years, and is a popular compere, and conference and after dinner speaker. He regularly appears with the National Chamber Orchestra of Wales, and is a panto regular at Swansea’s Grand Theatre. He is chaplain to Swansea City FC, where he entertains fans on the pitch.
'I never set any academic records'
Kev Johns: "I owe Dynevor School so much.
"In the 5 years that I was a pupil there I never set any academic records as I was too concerned with performing. However, Dynevor wasn’t just about academic success as support for those gifted in sport and performing was just was important.
"My old Deputy Head Ossie Morris was a remarkable man who got me involved with my first volunteer project and got me committed to volunteering for life. His son Johnny, the head of music, was a great encourager and supported me as an aspiring performer.
"Johnny would take the singers out in a mini-bus near Christmas and we would go carolling to care homes. Our English Teacher David Taylor was a remarkable teacher. In my time, he took classes of boys (the girls only came when I moved into Sixth Form) and get them passionate about Shakespeare.
"I got so much from Dynevor although I think my parents would have liked a few more passes on the certificate!
"It was also a great honour to be have served as President of the Old Dyvorians."
John Quirk
The arranger, composer, conductor, singer, pianist and bass guitarist has worked with Bryn Terfel, Rebecca Evans, Cerys Matthews, Catrin Finch, Gwyn Hughes-Jones, Wynne Evans, John Owen-Jones, Larry Adler, Ruth Jones, and a host of stars. He has also worked with BBC National Orchestra of Wales and conducted The orchestra of Welsh National Opera, the Danish Radio Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of Wales, and the Welsh Session orchestra. He has widespread experience in television and theatre and is musical director for John Owen Jones.
Tony Kiley
After moving to London, Tony had a string of worldwide hits as part of The Blow Monkeys, with four albums and eleven singles in the UK charts from 1986 to 1990. After leaving the band he became a sought after session musician, playing alongside artists including George Michael, Chris de Burgh, Alison Moyet, Curtis Mayfield and Glenn Fry.
'I met my future wife at Dynevor'
Tony Kiley: "I have very fond memories of Dynevor. It was such a thrill to travel into town from Manselton, spending my lunch time in Picton Arcade looking in the window of Picton Music.
"When I was there, Dynevor had a very strong music department led by the music teacher Johnny Morris. I became the school drummer and enjoyed many school concerts including productions of Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar.
"I was there the same time as Mal Pope and we became great friends and have worked together ever since.
"I remember a fantastic trip to York to play concerts at other schools. I also enjoyed playing rugby for the first 15, especially playing against our main rivals Pentre Hafod.
"I met my future wife at Dynevor when girls from Llwyn Y Bryn joined the school. I look back at my time there and feel grateful to have had such a wonderful experience."
Tea Cosy Pete
A contemporary of Rowan Williams, and born Brian Boswell, although his name changed early in life to Brian Burford. Described as very bright by his school contemporaries, he nevertheless failed to get the examination results he needed to get into Oxford University, and coupled with the loss of his brother and step-father, he chose to pursue an alternative lifestyle - by living on the streets for most of his adult life.
A familiar figure on the streets of Swansea, particularly Castle Square, he died in 2015 aged 66. His nickname was taken from the hat he wore at all times, and his image features on a mural on the wall of The Three Lamps pub in Castle Square.
