A magnificent Victorian gothic building right on the edge of the great, green expanse of Llandaff Fields, Howell’s School Llandaff GDST has a tremendous sense of roominess for a city school, with a swimming pool, tennis courts, sports pavilion and all-weather sports pitch on the five-acre site.
Visionary Principal Sally Davis presides over excellent academic results, and in August 2023 results at Howell’s were outstanding. An impressive 68% of all GCSEs were graded 9–7 (A*–A); 96% were graded 9–5(A*–B). In the co-ed Sixth Form College, 34% of all results were A* and 69% of all results were A*–A grades. These are fantastic achievements, particularly considering the significant disruption to student’s education over the last three years.
Student numbers. 664: Nursery 17; Prep School 187; Senior School 306; Co-Educational Sixth Form College 154.
Founded in 1860 as a school for girls, the school was built by the Drapers’ Company from the endowment left in 1537 by Thomas Howell, son of a Welshman, merchant of London, Bristol and Seville and a Draper.
Howell’s School Llandaff is part of the Girls’ Day School Trust GDST. The GDST is the leading network of independent girls’ schools in the UK. As a charity that owns and runs 23 schools and two academies, it reinvests all its income in its schools. For further information about the Trust, visit www.gdst.net. Howell's School puts great value on a rich and varied life outside of the classroom, with enrichment activities running from the Pride group to Poetry Club, Silent Discos to Synchronised Swimming. The extensive Enrichment Programmes, together with impressive Wellbeing and Laureate Programmes, make Howell’s a special place to learn and develop in an exciting, creative and thriving environment. The school’s strong Leadership Team, talented and dedicated teaching and support staff, wonderful young people and committed and interested parents are what make Howell’s unique.
The Nursery at Howell’s is situated in Roald Dahl’s childhood home and takes inspiration from its famous former occupant. Girls who enter the nursery experience a safe, family atmosphere, making the transition from home to nursery a relaxed and happy one. The Prep School radiates an atmosphere in which every child is valued and nurtured. Great emphasis is placed on developing the self-identity, self-esteem and self-confidence of every girl.
When entering the Senior School, students are encouraged to develop skills of self-analysis and reflection, and choose the learning methods that suit them best, whilst teachers challenge and motivate them towards an appetite for lifelong learning. Howell’s aims to help students acquire skills essential to tackling a competitive and rapidly changing world. The established co-educational college has a proven track record for excellence in and out of the classroom and offers students an exceptional learning experience with flexible teaching styles designed to manage the transition between school and university.
Curriculum. All National Curriculum subjects including Welsh are taught at Key Stages 1, 2 and 3. From Year 3, French, Spanish and Welsh are all taught. Latin is introduced in Year 8. First language Welsh is taught on demand. There is a broad range of subjects available in the College. Examinations in a number of AS subjects are taken at the end of Year 12. Active learning styles are an essential part of the classroom experience, and the curriculum is made more diverse by:
Educational visits, locally and abroad
Visiting authors, poets, musicians, artists and lecturers
Special activity weeks focusing on particular areas of the curriculum
Extracurricular activities. The school’s aim is to fulfil the potential of all the students in all areas, which it achieves through a rich extracurricular programme. Extracurricular opportunities include:
Orchestras, choirs and jazz groups
Reading and reviewing, eco, science, mathematics, history, geography, language and cultural clubs
Concerts, plays and eisteddfodau
Tennis, hockey, cricket, swimming, athletics, cross-country, netball, rugby and football teams
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Rotary, public speaking and debating teams, community service and fundraising for charities
The school seeks to support the widest range of students’ needs through specialist dyslexia teaching and through an extensive and comprehensive careers programme.
Admission. A selection process operates for all points of entry. Contact Admissions for further details.
Fees per term (2023-2024). Co-ed College: £5,434; Senior School: £5,388.67; Prep School: Years 3–6 £4,158.67, Reception–Year 2 £4,082.67, Nursery £3,231.67.
Fees quoted are inclusive of non-residential school trips and lunch.
Scholarships and Bursaries. Bursaries, which are means-tested, are available in the Senior School and in the co-ed College; these are intended to ensure that the school remains accessible to bright students who would benefit from a Howell's education, but who would be unable to enter the school without financial assistance.
Academic, Sports, Art and Design, Music, Drama and Product Design scholarships are available to students going into Year 7 and 12. Details of how to how apply for scholarships and bursaries are available, on request, from the school.
Charitable status. Howell’s School Llandaff is part of The Girls’ Day School Trust, which is a Registered Charity, number 306983.