Olchfa School

Last updated

Olchfa School
Olchfa School Logo (2017-).jpg
Address
Olchfa School
Gower Road

Swansea
,
City and County of Swansea
,
SA2 7AB

Wales
Information
Type Secondary School
MottoDysg, Dawn, Daioni
(Learning, Talent, Goodness)
Opened3 September 1969
Local authoritySwansea
Headmaster Julian Kennedy (2023–Present)
Age11to 19
Enrolment1,700 - February 2018
Colour(s)Blue and red
Website https://www.olchfa.org.uk

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.

Contents

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

Other

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Olchfa School | Estyn". www.estyn.gov.wales. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  2. ↑ https://www.estyn.gov.wales/system/files/2020-08/Olchfa%2520School_0.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  3. ↑ "Top performing schools in Wales revealed in new survey". 3 December 2021.
  4. ↑ "Best State Secondary Schools in the UK: 2024 Top 100 League Table". 22 February 2023.
  5. ↑ https://www.pressreader.com/uk/south-wales-evening-post/20231202/281517935883992 . Retrieved 30 December 2023– via PressReader.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ↑ "Wales' top schools revealed: Sunday Times parent power guide unveils standout performers for 2024". December 2023.
  7. ↑ "Work set to kick-off on Olchfa 3G pitch".
  8. ↑ "Shooting of movie adaptation surreal experience for writer", "This is South Wales", 20 November 2009, accessed 24 August 2011.
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