St Olave's Grammar School, 11+ Preparation Guide for 2026/2027 Entry

About St Olave's Grammar School

St Olave's Grammar School is a boys' grammar school located in Orpington, London. The school admits boys and uses the school's own entrance examination for its entrance assessment.

The school's postcode is BR6 9SH. You can visit the school's official website at www.stolaves.org.uk for the latest admissions information.

Entry Requirements and Exam Format

St Olave's Grammar School uses the school's own entrance examination for its 11+ entrance test. The assessment covers typically English, Maths, and Reasoning (format varies by school) in a bespoke examination set by the school itself.

Registration typically opens in the spring or early summer for entry the following September. Check the school's website for exact dates, as deadlines vary and late applications are rarely accepted.

As a state grammar school, admission is based primarily on the 11+ test score. Some grammar schools also consider distance from the school as a tiebreaker.

Competition and Admissions Statistics

With approximately 124 places available and around 1,600 applicants each year, the competition ratio is roughly 13:1. This makes St Olave's Grammar School highly competitive, thorough preparation is essential.

Given the level of competition, starting preparation early and maintaining consistent practice is strongly recommended. Children who begin in Year 4 with a structured approach tend to perform best.

How to Prepare for St Olave's Grammar School

Schools that set their own entrance exams have complete freedom over format, content, and difficulty. This means preparation must be broader, your child should be confident across all core subjects without relying on one specific format. Check the school's website for sample papers or past papers, as many schools publish these. Some schools include interviews, creative writing tasks, or group activities as part of their admissions process. Contact the admissions team to understand exactly what the assessment involves.

EdifyPod Nexus provides adaptive practice specifically designed for the school's own entrance examination preparation. The platform adjusts difficulty based on your child's performance, ensuring they're always working at the right level. You can track progress against St Olave's Grammar School as a target school to see how your child is performing relative to the entry standard.

Recommended Preparation Timeline

Year 4: Build broad academic foundations across reading, writing, and maths. Year 5: Contact the school for sample papers and admissions information. Practise with any available past papers. If the school includes interviews, practise discussion skills and current affairs awareness. Year 6: Attend open days and mock interviews if the school offers them.

Every child is different, some may need a longer runway while others pick up exam technique quickly. The key is consistent, regular practice rather than intensive cramming. Even 20-30 minutes of focused practice daily is more effective than occasional long sessions.

Find St Olave's Grammar School on the Map

St Olave's Grammar School is located in Orpington, London (BR6 9SH). Use our interactive School Finder to see St Olave's Grammar School on the map alongside other grammar schools in the London area.

The School Finder shows all 163 grammar schools and 43 top independent schools in England, with filtering by exam board, school type, gender, and distance from your postcode.