St John's College, Cardiff

Oxbridge

2

Russell Group

7

US Ivy

0

A-level A*–A

87%

Recalibrated

GCSE 9–7

92%

• Headteacher

  Shaun Moody

  Headteacher since 2018. Has had a remarkable 38-year career at St John's College. Stepping down on 31st August 2026. Led the school with integrity, maintaining its distinctive spirit and academic excellence. The school was named Top Independent School in Wales for Academic Outcomes 2022 and Welsh Independent School of the Year 2018 under his leadership. Previously said: 'The success of the school is a result of the many positive features and initiatives which have allowed it to flourish and develop over many years.'

• Headteacher Designate (From September 2026)

  Mr Ramsden

  Incoming Head from 1st September 2026. Previously Senior Deputy Head and Director of Safeguarding at St Benedict's School, Ealing, London. Won a national 'Pastoral Leader of the Year' award. Deeply committed to Catholic education and pastoral care. Former choral scholar at University College, Oxford. Strong commitment to community and music. (Choral Scholar, University College, Oxford)

• Assistant Head, Pastoral & Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

  Emma Jones

  Joined St John's College in 2010 as a PE teacher.

• Assistant Head, Admissions And External Relations

  Francis Taylor

  Joined St John's College in September 1998 as a Junior School teacher and member of the Cathedral Choir. Leads admissions for the school.

• Head Of Junior School And Deputy DSL

  Laura Taylor

  Joined St John's College as a Science NQT in September 2010.

• Director Of Academic Studies

  Melissa Owen

  Joined St John's College in September 2011 as a newly qualified teacher.

• 1The Cathedral School LlandaffCardiff

  Fees £21.9kA*-A 89%Oxbridge 4%Rank #285

  The Cathedral School Llandaff matches St John's College in being co-ed day schools in Cardiff with similar fees (£21.9k vs £20.7k) and selectivity tier, making it a sensible peer choice.

• 2Bristol Grammar SchoolBristol

  Fees £22.3kA*-A 68%Oxbridge 5%Rank #281

  Bristol Grammar School is a co-ed day school with overlapping entry phases, similar fees (£22.3k), and within reasonable commuting distance (36km), fitting the same selectivity tier.

• 3St Michael's School, LlanelliLlanelli

  Fees £16.4kA*-A 97%Rank #340

  St Michael's School, Llanelli offers co-ed day and boarding options, overlaps in entry phases, and is within a commutable distance (71km) with a slightly lower fee (£16.4k) but same tier.

• 4RGS WorcesterWorcester

  Fees £22.8kA*-A 99%Oxbridge 1%Rank #278

  RGS Worcester is a co-ed day school with overlapping entry phases, similar fees (£22.8k), and within a reasonable commute (96km), aligning with the same selectivity tier.

• 5Redmaids' High SchoolBristol

  Fees £22.2kA*-A 71%Oxbridge 2%Rank #335

  Redmaids' High School is a girls' day school with overlapping entry phases, similar fees (£22.2k), and located in Bristol (34km), sharing the same selectivity tier and ethos of academic focus.

Peers refreshed annually plus on-write. Filters: sex, boarding, entry phase, geography, fee band, tier. Scoring: 0.45 outcome similarity + 0.25 structured + 0.10 embedding + 0.20 AI re-rank.