Olchfa School
Olchfa School (Welsh: Ysgol Gyfun yr Olchfa) is a pioneer school [1] and the largest secondary school in Swansea, South Wales, with approximately 1,700 pupils, including 357 in the Sixth Form.[2] 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.
Olchfa School | |
---|---|
Address | |
Gower Road , , SA2 7AB | |
Information | |
Type | Secondary School |
Motto | Dysg, Dawn, Daioni (Learning, Talent, Goodness) |
Opened | 3 September 1969 |
Local authority | Swansea |
Headmaster | Dr. Julian Kennedy |
Age | 11 to 19 |
Enrolment | 1,700 - February 2018 |
Colour(s) | Blue and red |
Website | https://www.olchfa.org.uk |
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.[2]
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 83% (based on 5 GCSEs, grades A*-C), placing it in the top five schools in Wales,[3] and 74th in the UK taking A-levels (A*-B) and GCSE's (A*-C) into account.[4]
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.[5] 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
- Harrison Walsh, F64 Discus Commonwealth and European bronze medalist
Other
- Richard Barrett, Composer
- Russell T Davies, Television Writer
- Sir Andrew Dilnot, Economist
- Joe Dunthorne, poet and author[6]
- Liz Fuller, Presenter, Actress and Model
- Stephen Harris, rock musician with stage name "Kid Chaos"
- Georgia Henshaw, Actress
- Nerys Jefford, High Court judge
- Andrew Jones, Film producer
- Heather Nicholson, animal rights activist
References
- https://www.estyn.gov.wales/system/files/2020-08/Olchfa%2520School_0.pdf
- "Olchfa School | Estyn". www.estyn.gov.wales. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
- https://nation.cymru/news/top-performing-schools-in-wales-revealed-in-new-survey/
- https://blog.thinkacademy.uk/best-state-secondary-schools-uk/
- https://www.swansea.gov.uk/Olchfapitch?lang=en
- "Shooting of movie adaptation surreal experience for writer", "This is South Wales", 20 November 2009, accessed 24 August 2011.