Welcome

Headmaster's Welcome

We look forward to welcoming you to a school widely recognised as one of the finest in the country.

This is a forward-looking and developing school which celebrates its long and distinguished history, its reputation for high academic and extra-curricular achievements and its record of innovations combined with the best traditions of English education.

I hope you enjoy reading more about us on this Website.

Described by The Sunday Times as being “among the best schools in the United Kingdom”, by the Independent as one of the “state schools’ elite”, and by the Daily Telegraph as a school which “aims for excellence in everything it does .... and succeeds”,
The Headmaster: Mr Anthony Jarvis
is an additional member of HMC. St. Olave’s is a Voluntary Aided selective school which admits four forms of entry of boys at the age of eleven and takes both boys and girls into the Sixth Form. The most recent OFSTED inspection in November 2006 judged the School to be “Outstanding”. The School gained Specialist Status in Mathematics and Computing in 2004. The School admits pupils from a wide variety of backgrounds across a broad area of South London.

St Olave’s provides a secure, happy and stimulating environment in which our students can make the very best of their talents to achieve success in all that they do. This is a purposeful and busy place where you will find the highest standards of work, commitment and courtesy. We aim, above all, to be an inclusive, caring and successful learning community.

Mission Statement

We wish to ensure that every student is challenged to use his or her abilities and talents to the fullest extent possible and to leave St Olave's with a thirst for knowledge and lifelong love of learning.

The School’s Aims are to foster a community based on the Christian ethos in which excellence is both appreciated and sought after and in which young people enjoy learning and living together, are encouraged to reach their full potential and to develop attitudes of moral and social responsibility, and at the same time acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to enable them to play a full and positive role in society.

The development of our students - academic, moral, physical, social and spiritual is fundamental to their lives now and as future adults in a world where the only constant is change.

St Olave’s retains a small school ethos. Staff know students well and address their individual needs. They live and work in a school with high expectations, with a tradition of good order, and where the development of self-discipline is promoted. In accepting a place, parents undertake to ensure their son’s or daughter’s full commitment to the curricular and extra-curricular programme, and the corporate life of the school.

The faith character of St Olave’s provides a framework for all that underpins the work ethic and community spirit.

The origins of the St. Olave’s and St. Saviour’s Grammar School Foundation go back over four hundred years to a time when the voluntary efforts of the people of Southwark made possible the financing of several educational institutions for the benefit of the ‘children and younglings’ of the parish, of which the two best known were St. Saviour’s Grammar School, granted a Charter by Queen Elizabeth in 1562 and St. Olave’s Grammar School, which received its charter nine years later. These two institutions amalgamated just over a century ago and before the move to Orpington in 1967, the school occupied various sites in Southwark, most recently by Tower Bridge. The present fine buildings, surrounded by over twenty acres of tree-lined playing fields, are most attractively set on the edge of the Kent countryside. In recent years £5 million has been invested in extensive building and refurbishment including a new Science Block, Sports Pavilion, Music and Sixth Form Centres and Specialist Status IT accommodation. Yet Charing Cross and the West End are little more than twenty minutes away by fast and frequent service from Orpington Station, and the Kent and Sussex coasts are easily reached by road or rail; the M25 junction 4 lies within two miles. The School’s reputation stands high and every year the one hundred and twelve available places are heavily over-subscribed. The School increased to four forms of entry in September 1997 and from September 1998 girls were admitted to the Sixth Form as part of a growing number of pupils who join St. Olave’s post GCSE.

St. Olave’s is an affiliated School in the Woodard Corporation, an Anglican foundation which comprises a variety of independent and maintained schools. The focal point of the School’s religious life is the Chapel, which has an important bearing on the general ethos of the School and its Christian character; a confirmation service takes place each year, and there is a weekly celebration of Holy Communion on Wednesday mornings at which attendance is voluntary. An annual Commemoration Service of Founders and Benefactors takes place in Southwark Cathedral. The treble choristers of the Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy are drawn exclusively from St. Olave’s, and appear on occasion before Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the Royal family. The School Foundation continues to support the school financially in a variety of ways which enhance the quality of life at St. Olave’s.

The Parents' section of the school website aims to provide you with on-line material which you may need, in your parental role, to access during your son or daughter's time at St. Olave's. You will find information on relevant school policies, rules, uniform requirements, calendar details and Parents' Association  information.

Use this 'quick reference' guide for summary information.

A Quick Reference A - Z

*IMPORTANT NOTICE - SCHOOL CLOSURE*

Owing to emergency work to the Electrical Sub Station, on the school site, which cannot be carried out on any other day, the school will be closed on Friday 23^rd November 2007.

Sports fixtures will take place as normal on Saturday 24^th and the school will re-open on Monday 26^th November 2007 at the usual time.

The Governing Body is responsible for admissions. It is intended that the School will continue to offer an education particularly suited to the more academic child; it will also continue to offer the opportunity for the development of high standards in extra-curricular activities  such as music, drama and games. In accepting a place parents undertake to ensure their child's full commitment to both the curricular and extra-curricular life of the School as a matter in usual circumstances of first priority. Parents should be aware that, while admission to the School is on the basis of academic ability, St Olave’s is a Church of England School. The values which inform the life of the School are those of the Christian faith. These values include respect for members of other faith communities or none. We wish to ensure that all students benefit from membership of an Anglican Foundation serving a multi-cultural community. Students who come to the School from a wide area of South London and North Kent come from a diverse range of backgrounds.

The Admissions Scheme for London Boroughs
Occasional Vacancies below the Sixth Form
Special Needs

Year 7

Admissions Information

Only boys who attain the required standard in the prescribed arrangements for selection by reference to ability and aptitude will be eligible to be considered for admission to Year  7. Those whose parents wish them to be considered for a place will be required to sit tests designed to assess candidates’ suitability for an academic education. The testing will be competitive, and the first one hundred and twelve in rank order will be offered places. In the event of aggregate test scores being tied on the final place(s) in the rank order, candidates will be offered places on the basis of scores on the mathematics test.

In the event of withdrawals the rank order will continue to be followed until all places are filled. Boys may sit the entrance test if their eleventh birthday falls between 1st September and 31st August inclusive of the academic year in which the November test is set. If their tenth birthday falls within this period, boys may take the test for entry into the School one academic year early provided a letter of recommendation is received from the Headteacher of  their primary school. Entry for these boys would be at the discretion of the Governors.

Applications for places in Year 7 should be made by the due date in the Autumn Term prior to the September of admission on the Common Application Form provided by the relevant home authority. Completion of a supplementary form, available from the School, will also be required.

The following links provide Admissions Policy, Arrangements and Special Needs documentation.

Admissions Policy Yr7 - 2007-8
St Olave's Admission Arrangements for 07-08 Entry
Special Needs

The School offers a broad and balanced curriculum, including accelerated courses in some subjects, to cater for the needs of all students. All subjects are taught by specialist teachers in discrete faculty areas. The curriculum is enriched by an array of activities, including fieldtrips, exchanges, lectures, masterclasses and work-related learning. This, combined with relatively small sets in examination classes, enables us to achieve high standards across all subjects.

Students are encouraged to be involved actively in their own learning and to develop the independent learning skills necessary for university and beyond. There are two well-stocked libraries open beyond the school day to support them in their studies. Parents are actively involved through regular tutorial days and subject consultation evenings.

A series of major building projects in recent years is enabling the school to achieve the aim of state-of-the-art facilities in all teaching areas and cater for the expansion of the Sixth Form. There are extensive IT facilities including a school-wide wireless network and interactive whiteboards in every classroom. The Sixth Form Laptop Scheme and our Virtual Learning Environment promote personalisation in learning and enrichment. New techniques for effective teaching and learning are implemented in a purposeful, disciplined and congenial environment to maintain and enhance the outstanding success expected in this School.

Students benefit from strong local and national partnerships. As a Specialist Status school in Mathematics and Computing there is a leadership role in joint activities with a family of local schools. Alongside these, there are local and national business links, community use of the facilities, as well as conferences featuring leading academics, businessmen, writers and musicians.

The Old Olavians' Society and a thriving Parents’ Association provide both social events and financial support for the School. Individual students are supported through grants and awards from a variety of trusts associated with St Olave’s. There is a Choristership Entry Scheme run jointly with The Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy and the Duchy of Lancaster.

At sixth form level there are links with a range of academic and professional institutions that ensure students are prepared fully for the transition to higher education.

Curriculum Diagram 2007

The Heads of Year and their tutor teams oversee the pastoral system, providing for each pupil a framework of induction, guidance, monitoring and support. The chaplain and a school counsellor contribute to this programme. The key rule in our school is: respect for others, do as you would be done by. Encouragement balances sanctions and our aim is to emphasise the positive and good in all that happens in the school through a variety of rewards schemes. Students play their part in the community through form and house activities, year councils, voluntary service, charity campaigns and leading assemblies on topical themes. All students have a part to play in our school and take responsibility for their own development whilst being aware of the needs of others.

The PSHE programme aims to :

• Involve students in working closely within a group and becoming a supportive network for each other.
• Develop social skills, decision making skills and study skills.
• Prepare students for the demands of life outside school, particularly in the areas of personal health, careers, family responsibilities and living within the community.
• Challenge assumptions and prejudices and play a part in helping students to develop their own opinons and lifestyles.
• Encourage honest self-assessment as part of the process of developing a Record of Achievement.
• It contains an organised set of topics covering the new PSHE framework, including citizenship, health, and social and moral issues.

Activities

Overview

A full range of activities is organised by the school during the school week, on weekends and during school holiday periods.

Breaktime and lunchtime activities include music rehearsals, sports activities and specialist club meetings. After school and on weekends  you will find sports activites, curriculum study groups, debating and musical groups taking place throughout the school. A large number of trips and visits are organised on a regular basis, including Art gallery visits, geography field trips, regular rugby tours both home and abroad and modern language trips throughout Europe.

Sport

Subject-based Clubs and Societies

There are numerous subject-based clubs and societies as well as the popular debating and language clubs. Participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Schemes, and World Challenge expeditions (to Honduras and Tanzania in 2008) are also very popular.  The Le Chavetois Society raises money and carries out voluntary work in the local community.

Each December the Sixth Form raises several thousand pounds (over 10,000 last year) for nominated charities during the annual "Festival Week" operated entirely within the school.

Download the following documents to view activities currently offered (to find out details about specific activities, clubs and trips, please use the links located in "Our Programe"...'Other Activities' page).  

Break & Lunch Time
After School & Weekends
Trips and Visits

School Colours

The school colours systems rewards exceptional contributions to the school whether through individual sporting achievement, leadership and organisation of school societies, or through competitive success representing the school, either individually or as part of a group. The criteria for the award of full colours is set out below together with details of those who were awarded full colours in the year 2006/2007: 

Colours Criteria
Colours 2006 / 07

St. Olave’s enjoys a reputation as one of the leading Grammar Schools in the country and has a proven track record of outstanding results and high academic achievement. We are a forward looking school that celebrates a long and distinguished history and combines the best of the new with the best traditions of English education. As well as an excellent academic record we pride ourselves on the range and quality of other opportunities on offer to all members of the School. Overall our aim is simple: to ensure that each student achieves his or her potential in an inclusive, friendly, orderly and supportive environment.

The Sixth Form comprises of about 350 students. Roughly one third of those who start Year 12 join St. Olave’s from other schools and around a quarter of the Sixth Form are girls. Every member of the Sixth Form experiences a thorough and comprehensive induction programme at the beginning of Year 12 which enables students to settle in quickly. We believe that an important part of the success of our Sixth Form is that students become involved in all aspects of school life. Therefore our excellent academic programme is complemented with a wide range of extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities. In addition, students have access to strong pastoral support and guidance as well as excellent facilities, which include the recently opened Sixth Form Resource Centre, as well as our wireless laptop scheme and Virtual Learning Environment which promote the personalisation of learning. We value highly the contribution that Sixth Form students make to the whole school community and we encourage them to take on leadership and roles of responsibility such as our prefect scheme as well as acting as role models and mentors. Excellence and commitment are celebrated at every opportunity, in assemblies, award ceremonies as well as in the classroom through our commendation scheme.

All of this demonstrates our commitment to develop our students into independent learners and into mature, responsible adults who are prepared to play a full role in society.