St Olave’s Grammar School: Admissions, 11+ and Entry Requirements
St Olave’s Grammar School is a selective boys’ grammar school in Orpington, in the London Borough of Bromley. Known for its academic focus and competitive admissions process, the school admits pupils into Year 7 through its own two-stage entrance examination. Unlike many grammar schools in Kent, St Olave’s does not use the standard Kent Test as its main selection assessment.
For families considering St Olave’s, understanding the registration process, examination format and admissions criteria is essential. The school ranks applicants based on their performance across both stages of testing, meaning preparation needs to cover English, mathematics and reasoning.
This guide explains how St Olave’s admissions work, what children can expect from the 11+ entrance exam, how places are allocated and how parents can prepare their children for the selection process.
Page Contents
St Olave’s Grammar School: Location and School Overview
St Olave’s Grammar School is located on Goddington Lane in Orpington, Kent, BR6 9SH. It is a state-funded selective grammar school for boys aged 11–18, with a sixth form for older pupils.
The school has a long-established academic tradition and expects pupils to contribute to its wider school community, including co-curricular activities. Its admissions arrangements are designed to identify boys who demonstrate the academic ability and aptitude to benefit from a selective education.
St Olave’s is part of the wider grammar school landscape in the Bromley and south-east London area. However, it operates its own entrance assessment rather than relying on the Bexley or Kent selection tests.
St Olave’s Grammar School Admissions at a Glance
| Admissions detail | Information |
|---|---|
| School type | Selective state grammar school |
| Gender | Boys |
| Location | Orpington, Bromley |
| Entry point | Year 7 |
| Age range | 11–18 |
| Published Year 7 admission number | 124 places (2027 entry arrangements) |
| Entrance examination | St Olave’s Selective Entrance Test |
| Number of stages | Two |
| Stage 1 subjects | English, Logic and Mathematics |
| Stage 2 subjects | English and Mathematics |
| Catchment area | No conventional catchment area |
| Admissions authority | St Olave’s Grammar School |
The school publishes its admission arrangements for each entry year. Parents should always check the relevant year’s policy, as admission numbers, dates and oversubscription criteria can change.
How Does the St Olave’s 11+ Entrance Exam Work?
St Olave’s uses a two-stage Selective Entrance Test (SET) to assess boys applying for Year 7. Both stages contribute to the school’s selection process, and candidates must first perform strongly enough in the initial examination to be invited to the second stage.
Stage 1: St Olave’s Selective Eligibility Test
The first examination is designed to assess a candidate’s ability across three areas:
- English: comprehension, vocabulary and understanding of written language.
- Logic: verbal and non-verbal reasoning skills, including recognising patterns and solving problems.
- Mathematics: mathematical knowledge, numerical reasoning and problem-solving.
For September 2027 entry, Stage 1 was scheduled for September 2026. The test uses multiple-choice questions and is designed to identify candidates who meet the school’s required academic standard.
The school ranks candidates based on their performance. The top 450 boys are invited to progress to the second stage.
Passing Stage 1 does not guarantee a place at St Olave’s. It only allows a candidate to continue in the selection process.
Stage 2: St Olave’s English and Mathematics Tests
Boys who are invited back sit a second set of examinations in English and Mathematics.
These assessments provide a further opportunity for candidates to demonstrate their academic ability. Unlike the first-stage multiple-choice assessment, the second-stage papers include written work.
The results from both stages are used to produce an overall ranking of candidates. Places are then allocated in accordance with the school’s published admissions policy.
This makes it important for children to develop both accuracy and the ability to explain their thinking, particularly in written English and mathematical problem-solving.
What Is the St Olave’s 11+ Pass Mark?
St Olave’s does not publish one fixed numerical pass mark that guarantees admission.
Instead, the first-stage examination is based on ranking. The top 450 candidates are invited to sit the second-stage tests, after which results from both stages are combined to rank applicants.
This means the score required to progress can vary between admission years depending on the performance of the candidates.
Parents should be cautious about relying on unofficial pass-mark estimates or historical scores. A score that was sufficient in one year may not be enough in another.
It is also important to understand the difference between qualifying for Stage 2 and receiving an offer. Reaching the second stage does not guarantee a Year 7 place, as final offers depend on the combined results and the school’s oversubscription criteria.
St Olave’s Grammar School Catchment Area and Admissions Criteria
St Olave’s does not operate a conventional geographical catchment area in the same way as some grammar schools.
Its admissions process is primarily based on performance in the school’s entrance examinations and the published oversubscription criteria. This means families should not assume that living close to the school automatically provides an advantage or guarantees admission.
The school is located in Orpington, making it accessible to families across parts of Bromley, south-east London and neighbouring areas of Kent.
However, parents should consider the practicalities of travelling to and from school. A long daily journey can affect a child’s routine, particularly when combined with homework and extracurricular activities.
Before applying, check the school’s latest admissions policy to understand how places are prioritised if more candidates qualify than there are available places.
How Many Places Does St Olave’s Grammar School Offer?
The published admission number for Year 7 has been 124 places in the school’s recent admissions arrangements.
Because the number of places is limited and the school uses a competitive selection process, applicants need to perform strongly across both examination stages.
The oversubscription criteria also matter. The school’s arrangements include priority provisions for eligible children, including looked-after and previously looked-after children and a limited number of Pupil Premium places.
For the relevant admission year, parents should check the exact eligibility requirements and evidence needed for any priority category. Meeting a priority criterion does not remove the requirement to satisfy the school’s academic selection arrangements.
St Olave’s Grammar School Admissions: Key Dates
The admissions process starts well before children sit the entrance examination. Parents must register directly with the school using its Supplementary Information Form (SIF), as well as completing the normal secondary school application through their home local authority.
September 2028 St Olave’s Admissions Timeline
The following dates have been published for the September 2028 admissions cycle:
| Date | Admissions stage |
|---|---|
| 7 June 2027 | SIF registration opens at 9am |
| 24 June 2027 | School open evening |
| 28 June 2027 | SIF registration closes at midday |
| 17 September 2027 | Stage 1 Selective Entrance Test |
| Mid-October 2027 | Stage 1 results and invitations to Stage 2 |
| 12 November 2027 | Stage 2 entrance examination |
| 31 October 2027 | National secondary school application deadline |
| 1 March 2028 | National Offer Day |
Dates should be checked against the school’s official admissions calendar before making arrangements, as published information can be updated.
Why Is Early Registration Important for St Olave’s?
St Olave’s has a relatively short registration window. For September 2028 entry, families have just over three weeks to submit the school’s SIF.
Missing this deadline could prevent a child from taking part in the normal selection process. Parents should therefore make a note of the opening and closing dates well in advance.
Remember that the SIF and the local authority application are separate requirements. Registering for the entrance examination does not replace the Common Application Form (CAF), which must be submitted through the council where the family lives.
How to Prepare for the St Olave’s 11+ Exam
Preparation should reflect the school’s specific examination format. Since candidates are assessed in English, mathematics and logic, children need a balanced approach rather than focusing on one subject.
1. Improve English Comprehension and Vocabulary
English preparation should include reading comprehension, vocabulary development, grammar and the ability to interpret written information.
Children should practise identifying the main ideas in a passage, understanding unfamiliar vocabulary from context and explaining why particular answers are correct.
Written English is particularly important because the second-stage assessment includes a written paper. Encourage children to write clearly, organise their ideas and check spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Useful preparation areas include:
- Reading comprehension and inference.
- Vocabulary and word meaning.
- Grammar, punctuation and sentence structure.
- Creative and descriptive writing.
- Understanding tone, purpose and a writer’s choice of language.
You can also use our guide to 11+ English past papers to understand the types of questions children may encounter.
2. Strengthen 11+ Mathematics and Problem-Solving
Mathematics features in both stages of the St Olave’s selection process, so children should be confident with core mathematical concepts and applying them to unfamiliar problems.
Important areas to practise include:
- Fractions, decimals and percentages.
- Ratio and proportion.
- Number operations and mental arithmetic.
- Measurement, area and perimeter.
- Geometry and properties of shapes.
- Word problems and multi-step calculations.
Children should develop the ability to solve problems accurately under time pressure. It is not enough to memorise methods; they need to understand how to apply them in different situations.
Our 11+ practice questions provide a useful starting point for identifying strengths and areas that need further work.
3. Develop Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning Skills
The logic section of Stage 1 tests how children recognise patterns, interpret information and solve unfamiliar problems.
Verbal reasoning can include word relationships, sequences, codes and vocabulary-based questions. Non-verbal reasoning often involves shapes, patterns, diagrams and visual sequences.
Regular practice can help children become familiar with different question formats and develop a systematic approach to solving them.
Parents should encourage children to understand the reasoning behind each answer rather than simply memorising question types.
4. Build St Olave’s 11+ Exam Technique and Time Management
Both stages of the entrance examination require children to work accurately within a limited time.
Timed practice papers can help children become comfortable with the pace of an examination. However, timed work should be introduced gradually, once they understand the underlying topics.
Encourage your child to:
- Read each question carefully.
- Avoid spending too long on one difficult question.
- Check calculations where time allows.
- Practise working without distractions.
- Review mistakes and understand why an answer was incorrect.
A consistent preparation routine is generally more useful than relying on intensive last-minute revision.
How Does St Olave’s Compare with Other Grammar Schools?
St Olave’s is one of several selective schools serving families in Bromley and the surrounding areas. However, its entrance arrangements are different from those used by neighbouring grammar schools.
For example, Newstead Wood School is a selective girls’ grammar school in Orpington and operates its own admissions arrangements. Other nearby grammar schools may use the Bexley selection test or different school-specific assessments.
Parents considering more than one grammar school should check each school’s registration requirements, examination dates and admissions policy separately.
A child may need to sit more than one entrance examination, and registration for one school does not automatically register them for another.
You can explore our wider guide to the best grammar schools in the UK to compare selective schools and understand the different admissions systems.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Olave’s Grammar School
Is St Olave’s Grammar School a boys’ school?
Yes. St Olave’s is a selective boys’ grammar school. It admits boys into Year 7 and also has a sixth form.
Does St Olave’s use the Kent Test?
No. St Olave’s operates its own two-stage Selective Entrance Test. Its admissions process is separate from the standard Kent Test.
How many boys are invited to the second stage of the St Olave’s 11+?
For the published arrangements, the top 450 candidates from Stage 1 are invited to sit the second-stage examinations.
What subjects are in the St Olave’s entrance exam?
Stage 1 assesses English, Logic and Mathematics. Stage 2 consists of further English and Mathematics examinations.
Is there a fixed St Olave’s 11+ pass mark?
No single fixed numerical pass mark is published. Candidates are ranked, with the top 450 from Stage 1 progressing to Stage 2. Final places are allocated using the combined results and the school’s admissions criteria.
Does St Olave’s have a catchment area?
St Olave’s does not use a conventional geographical catchment area as its main selection method. Parents should consult the latest admissions policy for the full oversubscription criteria.
When should children start preparing for St Olave’s?
Many families begin structured 11+ preparation during Year 4 or Year 5. Starting early gives children time to develop their English, mathematics and reasoning skills without relying on last-minute revision.
Does passing Stage 1 guarantee a place at St Olave’s?
No. Passing Stage 1 only qualifies a candidate to sit the second-stage examinations. Final admission depends on the combined results and the school’s published admissions criteria.
Final Thoughts: Applying to St Olave’s Grammar School
St Olave’s Grammar School offers a selective academic education, but securing a Year 7 place requires careful preparation and an understanding of its admissions process.
The two-stage entrance examination assesses English, mathematics and logic, with candidates ranked according to their performance. Parents should pay particular attention to the school’s short registration window, the separate local authority application and the admissions criteria for their child’s entry year.
A balanced preparation plan covering comprehension, vocabulary, mathematical problem-solving and reasoning can help children build the skills needed for the selection process.
For families considering St Olave’s, the best starting point is to review the school’s latest admissions arrangements and create a preparation routine that develops confidence, accuracy and exam technique.
