Olchfa School

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Secondary school in Swansea, Wales

title: "Olchfa School" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["secondary-schools-in-swansea", "education-in-swansea", "sixth-form-colleges-in-wales", "1969-establishments-in-wales", "educational-institutions-established-in-1969"] description: "Secondary school in Swansea, Wales" topic_path: "society/education" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olchfa_School" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Secondary school in Swansea, Wales ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox school"]

FieldValue
mottoDysg, Dawn, Daioni
motto_translationLearning, Talent, Goodness
imageOlchfa School Logo (2017-).jpg
opened3 September 1969
typeSecondary School
head_labelHeadmaster
headJulian Kennedy (2023–Present)
addressGower Road
citySwansea
countyCity and County of Swansea
countryWales
postcodeSA2 7AB
local_authoritySwansea
enrolment1,907
lower_age11
upper_age19
coloursBlue and red
website
::

| name = | motto = Dysg, Dawn, Daioni | motto_translation = Learning, Talent, Goodness | image = Olchfa School Logo (2017-).jpg | established = | opened = 3 September 1969 | closed = | type = Secondary School | head_label = Headmaster | head = Julian Kennedy (2023–Present) | r_head_label = | r_head = | chair_label = | address = Gower Road | city = Swansea | county = City and County of Swansea | country = Wales | postcode = SA2 7AB | local_authority = Swansea | ofsted = | staff = | enrolment = 1,907 | gender = | lower_age = 11 | upper_age = 19 | houses = | colours = Blue and red | publication = | free_label_1 = | free_1 = | free_label_2 = | free_2 = | free_label_3 = | free_3 = | website =

Olchfa School () is the largest secondary school in Swansea, South Wales, with approximately 1,900 pupils, including a sixth form of over 400 students. Situated in Sketty Park to the west of Sketty, it provides secondary education for GCSE and A-Level qualifications. In 2024, it was named one of the top 100 state secondary schools in the UK. Olchfa (part of the Sketty Swansea suburb) means 'washing place' in the English language.

Around 4.5% of pupils have a special educational need and 1.7% have a statement of special educational needs. Both of these figures are below the Welsh averages of 21.1% and 11.2% respectively. Nearly a quarter of pupils come from an ethnic minority background, 3.8% speak English as an additional language and 0.8% speak Welsh at home.

The headteacher is Julian Kennedy, who has been in post since 2023. The Welsh Government has selected the school as a Pioneer School to participate in the development of its curriculum.

Academic performance

In its most recent Estyn inspection in 2018, Olchfa School received the highest possible judgement, 'Excellent' in all five inspection areas. In the same year, the school reported a GCSE pass rate of 85% (based on 5 GCSEs at grades A*-C), placing it among the top five schools in Wales, and top three for the percentage of A*-A grades. It ranked 74th in the UK in 2018, based on combined A-level (A*-B) and GCSE (A*-C) performance. In 2023, 33.7% of A-level results at Olchfa were awarded A*-A grades. The school was named the second-best state secondary in Wales by the Sunday Times Parent Power Guide in 2023, 2024 and 2025. In its September 2025 inspection, Estyn reported that Olchfa School provided a nurturing and inclusive environment with pupils making secure progress, but recommended the school share good teaching practices and strengthen how leaders monitor teaching and pupil progress.

Facilities

The school consists of several sections — the main building, a south block, two purpose-built assembly halls, and a professionally equipped Theatre Hall that also serves as a third assembly venue when required. Additional facilities include a P.E. department with multiple indoor sports halls, a dedicated maths and science block, an on-site swimming pool, and a range of outdoor pitches for Tennis, Rugby, Football, Netball, Basketball and Cricket. A £1.6 million investment is currently underway to develop a full-size, all-weather 3G pitch. There is also an on-site specialist facility supporting the needs of hearing-impaired pupils.

Notable former pupils

Sports

Arts and Entertainment

Law, Academia and Public Service

List of Headteachers

  • John Curtis Grove; 1969 - tbd
  • John Booth; tbd- 1994
  • Trevor Church; 1995 - 2001
  • Hugh Davies; 2001 - 2023
  • Julian Kennedy; 2023 - present

References

References

  1. (September 2025). "A report on Olchfa School".
  2. "Olchfa School {{!}} Estyn".
  3. (13 August 2024). "Best state schools in Britain: Experts pick the top 100".
  4. (September 2025). "A report on Olchfa School".
  5. "A report on Olchfa School Gower Road".
  6. (3 December 2021). "Top performing schools in Wales revealed in new survey".
  7. (22 February 2023). "Best State Secondary Schools in the UK: 2024 Top 100 League Table".
  8. (16 August 2024). "Pupils at Olchfa School share A-level results".
  9. "Best secondary schools 2025". The Times.
  10. "Olchfa School named among Wales' best in Sunday Times schools guide".
  11. (December 2023). "Wales' top schools revealed: Sunday Times Parent Power guide unveils standout performers for 2024".
  12. (September 2025). "A report on Olchfa School".
  13. "Work set to kick-off on Olchfa 3G pitch".
  14. (18 November 2020). "Latest recruits check in at National Tennis Academy".
  15. (8 February 2016). "Olchfa to Oxbridge: The Swansea students who bucked the trend".
  16. [http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Shooting-movie-adaptation-surreal-experience-writer/story-12414545-detail/story.html "Shooting of movie adaptation surreal experience for writer"], "This is South Wales", 20 November 2009. Accessed 24 August 2011.
  17. "Jefford, Hon. Dame Nerys (Angharad), (born 25 Dec. 1962), a Judge of the High Court of Justice, King’s (formerly Queen’s) Bench Division, since 2016 {{!}} WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO".

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secondary-schools-in-swanseaeducation-in-swanseasixth-form-colleges-in-wales1969-establishments-in-waleseducational-institutions-established-in-1969