Olchfa School (Welsh: Ysgol Gyfun yr Olchfa) is the largest secondary school in Swansea, South Wales, with approximately 1,700 pupils, including 357 in the Sixth Form.[1] Situated in Sketty Park to the west of Sketty, it provides secondary education for GCSE and A-Level qualifications. Olchfa (part of the Sketty Swansea suburb) means 'washing place' in the English language.
Around 12% 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 21.5% and 2% respectively. Nearly a quarter of pupils come from an ethnic minority background and just over 20% speak English as an additional language.[1]
The school is currently under the leadership of Julian Kennedy, who became headmaster in 2023. The Welsh Government has selected the school as a Pioneer School to participate in the development of its curriculum.[2]
Academic performance
In its most recent Estyn inspection in 2018, Olchfa School received the highest possible judgement, 'Excellent' in all five inspection areas.[1] In the same year, the school reported a GCSE pass rate of 85% (based on 5 GCSEs, grades A*-C), placing it in the top five schools in Wales, top three in Wales for the percentage of A*-A grades[3] and 74th in the UK taking A-levels (A*-B) and GCSE's (A*-C) into account.[4] In 2023, Olchfa School was accoladed as the second-best secondary school in Wales by the Sunday Times Parent Power Guide, and in 2024. [5][6]
Facilities
The school consists of different sections - the main building, a south block, P.E. department as well as a maths and science block. The school also consists of smaller demountable classrooms throughout the plot that teach a variety of subjects, an on-site swimming pool and numerous Tennis, Rugby, Football, Netball and Cricket pitches. A £1.6m investment is underway for a full-size, all-weather 3G pitch.[7] 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
- Aaron Lewis, Welsh U21 International and Newport County footballer
- Mark Harris, Welsh International and Cardiff City footballer
- David Hemp, Bermudan International Cricketer
- Charles Lowen, English International Cricketer
- Richie Rees, Rugby Player
- Ellie Simmonds OBE, Paralympian Gold Medalist Swimmer
Other
- Richard Barrett, Composer
- Russell T Davies, screenwriter and television producer
- Sir Andrew Dilnot, Economist
- Joe Dunthorne, poet and author[8]
- Liz Fuller, actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder
- Stephen Harris, rock musician with stage name "Kid Chaos"
- Georgia Henshaw, Actress
- Nerys Jefford, High Court judge[citation needed]
- Andrew Jones, Film producer
- Heather Nicholson, animal rights activist
References
- ^ a b c "Olchfa School | Estyn". www.estyn.gov.wales. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
- ^ https://www.estyn.gov.wales/system/files/2020-08/Olchfa%2520School_0.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ "Top performing schools in Wales revealed in new survey". 3 December 2021.
- ^ "Best State Secondary Schools in the UK: 2024 Top 100 League Table". 22 February 2023.
- ^ https://www.pressreader.com/uk/south-wales-evening-post/20231202/281517935883992. Retrieved 30 December 2023 – via PressReader.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Wales' top schools revealed: Sunday Times parent power guide unveils standout performers for 2024". December 2023.
- ^ "Work set to kick-off on Olchfa 3G pitch".
- ^ "Shooting of movie adaptation surreal experience for writer", "This is South Wales", 20 November 2009, accessed 24 August 2011.
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