Olchfa School
Secondary school in Swansea, Wales

Olchfa School
Location
Gower Road

Swansea
,
City and County of Swansea
,
SA2 7AB

Wales
Information
TypeSecondary School
MottoDysg, Dawn, Daioni
(Learning, Talent, Goodness)
Opened3 September 1969
Local authoritySwansea
HeadmasterJulian Kennedy (2023–Present)
Age11 to 19
Enrolment1,907[1]
ColoursBlue and red
WebsiteOfficial website

Olchfa School (Welsh: Ysgol Gyfun yr Olchfa) is the largest secondary school in Swansea, South Wales, with approximately 1,900 pupils, including a sixth form of over 400 students.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4]

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.[5]

Academic performance

In its most recent Estyn inspection in 2018, Olchfa School received the highest possible judgement, 'Excellent' in all five inspection areas.[2] 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.[6] It ranked 74th in the UK in 2018, based on combined A-level (A*-B) and GCSE (A*-C) performance.[7] In 2023, 33.7% of A-level results at Olchfa were awarded A*-A grades.[8] The school was named the second-best state secondary in Wales by the Sunday Times Parent Power Guide in 2023, 2024 and 2025.[9][10][11] 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.[12]

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.[13] 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

  1. ^ https://estyn.gov.wales/app/uploads/2025/10/Inspection-report-Olchfa-School-2025.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  2. ^ a b "Olchfa School | Estyn". www.estyn.gov.wales. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  3. ^ "Best state schools in Britain: Experts pick the top 100". South Wales Argus. 13 August 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  4. ^ https://estyn.gov.wales/app/uploads/2025/10/Inspection-report-Olchfa-School-2025.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  5. ^ "A report on Olchfa School Gower Road" (PDF). www.estyn.gov.wales.
  6. ^ "Top performing schools in Wales revealed in new survey". 3 December 2021.
  7. ^ "Best State Secondary Schools in the UK: 2024 Top 100 League Table". 22 February 2023.
  8. ^ "Pupils at Olchfa School share A-level results". Swansea Standard. 16 August 2024.
  9. ^ "Best secondary schools 2025". The Times.
  10. ^ "Olchfa School named among Wales' best in Sunday Times schools guide". Retrieved 30 December 2023 – via PressReader.
  11. ^ "Wales' top schools revealed: Sunday Times Parent Power guide unveils standout performers for 2024". December 2023.
  12. ^ https://estyn.gov.wales/app/uploads/2025/10/Inspection-report-Olchfa-School-2025.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  13. ^ "Work set to kick-off on Olchfa 3G pitch".
  14. ^ "Latest recruits check in at National Tennis Academy". 18 November 2020.
  15. ^ a b "Olchfa to Oxbridge: The Swansea students who bucked the trend". BBC News. 8 February 2016. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
  16. ^ "Shooting of movie adaptation surreal experience for writer", "This is South Wales", 20 November 2009. Accessed 24 August 2011.
  17. ^ https://www.ukwhoswho.com/display/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-246968
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