St John's College, Cardiff


St John's College is an independent co-educational day school in the village of Old St Mellons in Cardiff, Wales. It is the choir school of Wales' national Catholic cathedral, Cardiff Metropolitan Cathedral.

Choir

St John's College is an independent day school for boys and girls ages 3–18. It is also the choir school of Cardiff Metropolitan Cathedral and its choristers are all pupils at the school. Its choral and music scholarships are open to boys and girls.
All the choristers of Wales’ national Roman Catholic cathedral - the Cardiff Metropolitan Cathedral of St David - are educated at St John's College. The Alto, Tenor and Bass parts are sung by Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars who combine singing at the Cathedral with either teaching roles at St John's, study at Cardiff University or the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, or freelance singing, including work with the Welsh National Opera and the BBC. Choral Scholarships are also available to pupils of St John's College preparing for A-levels and Oxbridge applications.
The Cathedral Choirs give two concerts in St David's Hall each year and have performed internationally. In September 2006, the Choir had an exchange project with the Choir of St Bavo's Cathedral in Haarlem. The Choir has also performed in broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio 4, in the film One Chance and a Doctor Who episode. In May 2012, the Choir performed a joint concert of Thomas Tallis's 40-part motet, Spem in alium, with internationally acclaimed vocal group, The Tallis Scholars.

School achievements

The examination results achieved by the school are among the best in the UK. In 2017 it was the highest-ranked secondary school in the UK with 98% of pupils attaining A* to B at Advanced Level. Its Sixth Form pupils regularly go onto attend Oxbridge and other top universities. In summer 2012 a Sixth Form Study Centre was added to the original Grade 2 listed building.
The school has successfully participated in the F1 in Schools competition to design and build a miniature racing car. In 2019, a team of 12–13 year old pupils from the school won the Development Class competition in Abu Dhabi.