Olchfa School () is the largest secondary school in Swansea, South Wales, with approximately 1,900 pupils, including a sixth form of over 400 students.
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.
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.
Academic performance
In its most recent
Estyn inspection in 2018, Olchfa School received the highest possible judgement, 'Excellent' in all five inspection areas.
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.
It ranked 74th in the UK in 2018, based on combined A-level (A*-B) and GCSE (A*-C) performance.
In 2023, 33.7% of A-level results at Olchfa were awarded A*-A grades.
The school was named the second-best state secondary in Wales by the Sunday Times Parent Power Guide in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
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.
There is also an on-site specialist facility supporting the needs of hearing-impaired pupils.
Notable former pupils
Sports
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Daniel Alfei, Welsh U21 International and former Swansea City footballer.
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Simon Davey, former Swansea City footballer and football manager
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Aaron Lewis, Welsh U21 International and Newport County footballer
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Mark Harris, Welsh International and Cardiff City footballer
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David Hemp, Bermudan International Cricketer
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Charles Lowen, English International Cricketer
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Richie Rees, Rugby Player
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Ellie Simmonds OBE, Paralympics Gold Medalist Swimmer
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Rob Folland, Football Player
Other
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Richard Barrett, Composer
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Russell T Davies, screenwriter and television producer
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Sir Andrew Dilnot, Economist
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Joe Dunthorne, poet and author
[ "Shooting of movie adaptation surreal experience for writer", "This is South Wales", 20 November 2009, accessed 24 August 2011.]
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Liz Fuller, actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder
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Kid Chaos, rock musician with stage name "Kid Chaos"
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Georgia Henshaw, Actress
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Nerys Jefford, High Court judge
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Andrew Jones, Film producer
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Heather Nicholson, animal rights activist
List of Headteachers
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Curtis Grove; 1969 - tbd
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John Booth; tbd- 1993
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Hugh Davies; tbd - Feb 2025
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Julian Kennedy; Feb 2025 - present
