Bishop Vaughan R.C. School, Swansea

Bishop Vaughan R.C. School is an English-medium school in Wales. Welsh schools are inspected by Estyn rather than Ofsted, and its latest report is published on Estyn's website.

It had 1269 pupils in the 2025/26 school census.

23% of pupils are eligible for free school meals (three-year average).

Of its pupils, 9% have additional learning needs (29% in 2020/21); 34% are learning English as an additional language; and 52% are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Year groups range from 115 pupils (Year 12) to 222 (Year 7).

Its delegated budget for 2026-27 works out at £6,039 per pupil, against £4,823 in 2021-22. It ended 2024-25 with a deficit of £144k.

Estyn's report on its January 2025 inspection summarises Bishop Vaughan R.C. School like this:

"Strong Catholic values underpin all aspects of the school’s work. The culture of Bishop Vaughan Catholic School includes celebrating diversity, ensuring equity and striving for excellence. This fosters a strong sense of belonging where all members of the school community feel safe, valued and supported. Leaders have high expectations, know the school well and build strong links with the wider community. The school’s provision meets the needs of all pupils, including those of its most vulnerable pupils, well. This contributes significantly to pupils’ well-being and their enjoyment in learning."

"Effective teaching in many lessons helps pupils make at least sound progress in developing their knowledge, understanding and skills. A minority make strong progress. In a very few subject areas, pupils do not make enough progress. The school’s creation of a strong reading culture, which celebrates the pleasure of reading, benefits the well-being and academic progress of many pupils. Pupils benefit from a suitable range of opportunities to develop their literacy and numeracy skills across the curriculum though planning for progression in their digital skills remains at an early stage. The well-being and personal development of all pupils is a high priority within the school."

"The school is especially effective at raising the aspirations of pupils from all backgrounds to help them fulfil their potential. The school is successful in addressing national priorities such as reducing the impact of poverty on attainment. However, opportunities for pupils to develop their Welsh language skills are limited and the improvement to the attendance of pupils eligible for free school meals, is lower than expected. Leaders have established a strong culture of safeguarding, where staff are clear about their role in keeping pupils safe."

Estyn made 3 recommendations: (1) Improve the attendance of pupils eligible for free school meals; (2) Improve teaching in the very few subject areas where important shortcomings were identified; (3) Increase the range of opportunities that pupils have to practise their Welsh.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Bishop Vaughan R.C. School are Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bryn Tawe (1.1 miles), Morriston Comprehensive School (1.5 miles), Pentrehafod School (1.7 miles) and Cefn Hengoed Community School (1.9 miles).

The nearest railway station is Llansamlet Rail Station, about 2.3 miles away in a straight line.

17 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Bishop Vaughan School (outside), 70 metres away.