ST OLAVE'S AND ST SAVIOUR'S GRAMMAR SCHOOL in Kent, Orpington

Education Centre Information: St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School:

Establishment Type:Voluntary Aided School
Phase of Education: Secondary
Status: Open
Local Authority: Bromley
Boarders: No Boarders
Sixth Form: Has a sixth form
Urban/Rural Description: Urban > 10k - less sparse
Special Classes: No Special Classes
Religious Character: Church of England
Diocese: Diocese of Rochester
Nursery Provider: No Nursery Classes
Total Pupils: 965
Number of boys: 863
Number of girls: 102
Admissions: Selective
Age Range: 11-18
Gender: Boys
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Background:

St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar Schools were founded more than 400 years ago. One of the school's first governors was Robert Harvard, whose son, probably a pupil at the school, went on to found Harvard University. The school was given the Royal Charter in 1571. In its new location, the school has continued to prosper and places have been in great demand from those attracted by the academic and other successes of its pupils. The fine buildings, surrounded by over 20 acres of tree-lined playing fields, are attractively set on the edge of the Kent countryside, within easy walking distance of Orpington Station and local bus routes. The school has a well-stocked library, five recently-equipped computer rooms, and a careers area. The design and technology centre caters for a wide range of courses from fine arts to work in wood, plastics and electronics. The great hall and chapel are used for school and community events including the subscription concerts, which feature international renewed musicians. The gymnasium, indoor swimming pool, squash and Eton Fives courts along with five rugby pitches and a cricket square with two all-weather cricket strips, provide for a wide range of sports activities. A new sports pavilion provides changing and catering activities to support the sports programme. There are social and private study facilities for the sixth form including two common rooms. The expansion of the school has enabled it to provide quality specialist facilities while maintaining the existing pattern of courtyard and integrated areas, which contribute to the unique character and ethos of St Olave's; new sixth-form and music centre in 2006. The curriculum is supported by extra-curricular provision; A-level work is supplemented by extension courses, including Japanese studies and Mandarin Chinese; also modern Greek, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Swahili. Sporting achievements include national success in rugby, basketball, netball, athletics, swimming, Eton Fives, chess and debating. Individual tuition is available in a wide range of musical instruments. Pupils can participate in exchanges with schools in France, Germany and Spain, and get domestic and foreign work experience. Senior pupils participate in world challenge expeditions and raise money for nominated charities during the annual sixth form festival. There have been sports tours to Canada and Australia. Homework club in library for one hour after-school. All sixth-formers have laptops and use virtual learning environment for online studies and independent learning. Before-school care, from 8am; after-school care, until 4.30pm; after-school sports and clubs, until 5pm. Over-subscribed, with nearly six applications per place. Ethos: 'The school aims to provide a secure, happy and stimulating environment in which its pupils can achieve high academic, social and moral standards'.