Llandudno St David’s College Supports 213 Jobs With £7m Impact 2026

Key Points

• St David’s College in Llandudno contributes £7 million per year into the local economy of Conwy
• According to the economic impact assessment, the contribution of the school into the UK GDP is £11.6 million, of which 60% is spent in the local economy
• Direct employment provided by the school consists of 138 people and 213 more jobs are created because of the spending on local suppliers and contracting
• There are 260 students at St David’s College, 70 of whom are boarding students, located in a 30-acre area above the Conwy Valley
• Last year the school had earned £7 million and this sum has added £266,082 to the reserves, currently standing at nearly £3.5 million
• Headmaster Andrew Russell, who was trained as an economist, emphasised the contribution of the school in supporting the local tradesmen and businesses
• The activity creates a tax contribution to the UK of £3.7 million
• St David’s College, established in 1965, is prospering in times when many private schools go bankrupt

St David (Wales Times) October 01, 2026 — An independent economic impact assessment has revealed that St David’s College, a private boarding and day school in Llandudno, pumps £7 million into Conwy’s economy each year while supporting 213 jobs across the region.

What Is the Economic Impact of St David’s College on Conwy?

As reported by Rhys Gregory of Wales247.co.uk, the study found that St David’s College contributes £11.6 million to the UK’s gross domestic product annually, with approximately 60 per cent of that expenditure nearly £7 million remaining within the local Conwy economy.

The report detailed that the school, which educates 260 pupils including 70 boarders, directly employs 138 staff members. Dozens more jobs are sustained through spending with local suppliers, contractors and visitors to the institution.

How Does the School Support Local Employment and Businesses?

Set on a 30-acre site overlooking the Conwy Valley, St David’s College is based in the historic Gloddaeth Hall, a 500-year-old building that requires ongoing maintenance from local tradespeople.

According to Headmaster Andrew Russell, writing in a school news article published on September 9, 2026, the expenditure supports roofers, stonemasons, caterers, grounds teams and small local businesses that maintain the rural estate.

Mr Russell, who trained as an economist before entering education, stated:

“Spent on the roofers and stonemasons keeping Gloddaeth Hall’s 500-year-old walls standing, on caterers, on the grounds team, on the small local businesses that keep a rural estate running.”

He added that the activity supports 213 jobs and generates just over £3.7 million in UK tax revenue.

What Are the School’s Financial Reserves and Income?

In his article titled “Thirty-Five Years, One Lesson: Why ‘Good’ Beats ‘Best'”, Mr Russell disclosed that St David’s College brought in just over £7 million in income during the last financial year.

The school allocated £266,082 of that income to reserves, which now stand at almost £3.5 million, up from £3.2 million previously.

Mr Russell wrote:

“Last year, St David’s brought in just over £7 million in income and put £266,082 of that into reserves, which now stand at almost £3.5 million, up from £3.2 million.”

Why Is St David’s College Thriving While Other Private Schools Close?

St David’s College employs nearly 140 staff and continues to operate successfully at a time when other private schools across the UK have ceased trading.

The school was founded by John Mayor in 1965 with the aim of offering whole-person education based on Christian principles and outdoor education.

In 2022, the institution began a £15 million refurbishment project, which included the demolition of the sports hall as part of the redevelopment.

Who Leads St David’s College and What Is Their Background?

Mr Andrew Russell serves as Headmaster of St David’s College.

In his September 2026 article, Mr Russell reflected on his 35 years at the school, noting he arrived fresh from teacher training and initially believed he had most of the answers.

He stated:

“I arrived at St David’s fresh out of teacher training, young enough to believe I had most of the answers, I am old enough now to know that the best thing I ever did was stop looking for a scoreboard.”

The headmaster’s senior leadership team includes Steve Delaney as Deputy Head, Mrs Nicola McDonald as Bursar, Dr Faye Favill as Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator (SENCO), Mr Mark Turner as Assistant Head Academic, and Mrs Sue Davies as Assistant Head Pastoral.

What Is the School’s Educational Philosophy?

Mr Russell emphasised that St David’s College focuses on developing students who are “good” rather than pursuing league table rankings.

He wrote:

“We want our students to be good. Not good at something, though we hope for that too. Just good. Genuinely, deeply, right-down-to-the-bone good.”

The headmaster added:

“What we’re building at St David’s, in unglamorous daily instalments, are leaders for a world that refuses to sit still. Young people ready to walk into technological innovation, sustainability, medicine, business, sport and beyond.”

Background of the Economic Impact Assessment Development

The independent economic impact assessment was conducted to evaluate the broader contribution of St David’s College beyond its educational role. The study examined how a small boarding school situated between the mountains of Eryri and the North Wales coast affects its local community economically.

The assessment methodology calculated the school’s contribution to UK GDP and tracked the proportion of expenditure retained within Conwy. It also quantified employment effects, counting both direct staff positions and indirect jobs supported through supply chains and visitor spending.

The findings were published in late September 2026, with Wales247.co.uk reporting the results on September 30, 2026. The school itself referenced the assessment in Headmaster Andrew Russell’s article published earlier in September 2026.

St David’s College occupies Gloddaeth Hall, a historic building that has required continuous investment in maintenance and refurbishment. The 2022 launch of a £15 million refurbishment project demonstrates the institution’s commitment to maintaining its facilities while continuing operations.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Conwy Residents and Local Businesses

The revelation of St David’s College’s £7 million annual contribution to Conwy’s economy may influence how local residents, businesses and policymakers view the institution’s role in the region.

Local businesses that supply goods and services to the school may use these findings to strengthen their commercial relationships with the institution. The 213 jobs supported by the school’s activity represent a significant employment base for a rural area, potentially making the institution a key stakeholder in local economic planning.

For Conwy residents, the data demonstrates that the school’s expenditure remains within the local economy rather than being extracted elsewhere. This could affect public perceptions of private education institutions in the area, particularly regarding their economic value to communities.

Local authorities may consider the school’s economic contribution when making decisions about planning, infrastructure or support for educational institutions. The £3.7 million in UK tax revenue generated by the school’s activity also represents a fiscal contribution that extends beyond the immediate locality.

As other private schools face closure, St David’s College’s financial stability evidenced by its £3.5 million reserves—may position it as an increasingly important economic anchor for Conwy. The school’s continued investment in local suppliers and contractors could provide stability for small businesses in the region during periods of economic uncertainty.