Olchfa School
Secondary school in Swansea, Wales
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
(Learning, Talent, Goodness)
| Olchfa School | |
|---|---|
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| Location | |
 | |
Gower Road , , SA2 7AB | |
| Information | |
| Type | Secondary School |
| Motto | Dysg, Dawn, Daioni (Learning, Talent, Goodness) |
| Opened | 3 September 1969 |
| Local authority | Swansea |
| Headmaster | Julian Kennedy (2023–Present) |
| Age | 11 to 19 |
| Enrolment | 1,907[1] |
| Colours | Blue and red |
| Website | Official website  |
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
- Daniel Alfei, Welsh U21 International and former Swansea City footballer.
- Simon Davey, former Swansea City footballer and football manager
- Robert Folland, Football Player
- Aaron Lewis, Welsh U21 International and Mansfield Town footballer
- Mark Harris, Welsh International and Oxford United footballer
- Keston Davies, Welsh U21 International and former Notts County and Yeovil Town footballer.
- David Hemp, Bermudan International Cricketer
- Charles Lowen, English International Cricketer
- Richie Rees, Rugby Player
- Ellie Simmonds OBE, Paralympian Gold Medalist Swimmer
- Mingge Xu, Welsh tennis player[14]
Arts and Entertainment
- Russell T Davies, screenwriter and television producer[15]
- Joe Dunthorne, poet and author[16]
- Liz Fuller, actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder
- Stephen Harris, rock musician with stage name "Kid Chaos"
- Georgia Henshaw, Actress
- Andrew Jones, Film producer
Law, Academia and Public Service
- Richard Barrett, Composer
- Sir Andrew Dilnot, Economist[15]
- Nerys Jefford, High Court judge[17]
- Heather Nicholson, animal rights activist
List of Headteachers
- John Curtis Grove; 1969 - tbd
- John Booth; tbd- 1994
- Trevor Church; 1995 - 2001
- Hugh Davies; 2001 - 2023
- Julian Kennedy; 2023–present