Head's PA & HR Officer

Set in 15 acres of parkland and playing fields within minutes of Cardiff city centre, the Cathedral School was founded in 1880. Acknowledged by Estyn as an "excellent" school in all five categories in 2018, there are currently just under 800 pupils at the co-educational school between the ages of 3 and 18 years. The Cathedral School is a member of the Woodard Corporation and adheres to a firmly Christian ethos.

Pupils at the Cathedral School receive first class academic teaching, take part in a wide co-curricular programme, develop their leadership skills and confidence and are supported through high quality pastoral care, within a Christian context. The school is small enough to ensure that everyone is known and cared for, yet large enough to offer a real breadth of challenge and opportunity. Pupils of all denominations and faiths are welcomed.

A positive experience of learning in our earliest years at school sets the foundations for being an engaged and successful learner later on. The classroom is a place of energy and creativity, a place of high expectations within an atmosphere of nurture and encouragement. Beyond the classroom walls there are extensive opportunities to enjoy competitive sport, especially team games which have busy and challenging fixture lists; opportunities to perform music at an excellent standard including opportunities for boys and girls to join choirs and to sing in Llandaff Cathedral; drama; dance; art and DT activities; opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, wildlife, outward bound activities; and opportunities to get involved in action for good causes, including environmental awareness and charity work. There are also plenty of inter-house events to get involved with which create a vibrant atmosphere. Nearly all pupils transfer into the Senior Section to continue their educational journey through to 18.

At this school we pride ourselves upon being a strong learning community. It is important that everyone feels valued and that they have a meaningful part to play. From the initial Year 7 'bonding weekend' creating new friendships, to the competitive house system, a mutually supportive environment means that every pupil’s skill, interest, talent and potential are nurtured.

Regularly recognised, whether by the schools inspectorate Estyn, or in newspaper 'league tables', as one of the highest achieving schools in Wales academically, a great emphasis is also placed upon the "co-curricular". For Years 10-13 the Duke of Edinburgh's Award is followed, which is hugely popular and delivered by our own dedicated staff and for Years 7-9, the Head’s Award, a junior and anticipatory version of "D of E".

The Memorial Hall in Llandaff has recently been converted into a multi-purpose hall for our younger pupils and to share with the local community, on a not-for-profit basis.  This completes the extensive development programme the school has undertaken in recent years, including the renovation and extension of the Lodge (Infant School), the Sixth Form Centre, Pavilion and Woodard Building, a classroom provision for our Senior pupils, featuring two science laboratories, eight classrooms and study areas.

The quality of music at the Cathedral School is outstanding. It is our boys and girls who sing Llandaff Cathedral’s choral services day by day, and the same excellence of musicianship rubs off in school within a wide range of genres, from the classical to rock and pop, chamber music to jazz. On the sports field a similar appetite for excellence pervades all we do. With a very high coach : player ratio and a busy, competitive fixture list, rugby, football, sevens, cricket, hockey, netball, rounders, rowing, kayaking, climbing and gym all thrive here. Equally, ambitious participation in public speaking and debating competitions, challenging drama productions and various genres of fine art all add to the opportunities for all pupils to achieve standards which help them grow in confidence.

The Cathedral School’s A Level results each August are outstanding, and students progress to the most selective and sought after universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, Durham and Bristol. Offering a full range of academic subjects, very small classes, highly experienced staff with close university links, the sixth form culture is ambitious and supportive in equal measure. 

Sixth formers study and socialise in the dynamic, yet relaxed atmosphere of the Sixth Form Centre, which includes a common room, sandwich bar and fully equipped study area. Beyond their A Level studies, students have many opportunities to broaden their interests and abilities through initiatives including outward bound expeditions, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at Gold Level, competitive sport, outstanding musical performances, debating and public speaking and the Extended Project Qualification. Our professional mentoring programme pairs students with leading figures in the areas of working life they are interested in for advice and guidance, we regularly welcome inspirational practitioners as part of our Inspire to… events and students are also able to network at Cardiff Business Club.

A Level Subjects: Art, Psychology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Biology, English Literature, Government & Politics, Spanish, Geography, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Religious Studies, Latin, History, Design & Technology, Physics, French, German, Music and Physical Education.

School transport is offered along six routes from Castleton, Cowbridge, Caerphilly, Colwinston, Llantrisant and Lisvane.  Working parents are helped by wrap-around care from 8am to 6pm and a holiday club for our pupils and their siblings.

Financial support is available for bright pupils at Year 7 and 12 entry, with scholarships for especially gifted children and means tested bursaries worth up to 100% of fees. 

Although members of staff are not required to be confirmed Anglicans, they are expected to be in sympathy with the Christian ethos of the School, to take assembly from time to time and to attend School assemblies and services.