11 Plus Exam Guide: St. Olave’s Grammar School – What Parents Need to Know

Are you considering St. Olave’s Grammar School for your son? As one of the top-performing super-selective grammar schools in the country, St. Olave’s offers an exceptional education but has a famously challenging entrance process. At Geek School Tutoring, we’ve helped many boys secure places at this prestigious school, and we’re sharing our insider knowledge to help your child succeed.

About St. Olave’s Grammar School

St. Olave’s Grammar School in Orpington, Bromley is a boys’ grammar school with a mixed sixth form. Founded in 1571, it consistently ranks among the top state schools in the UK for academic achievement. The school is known for its strong focus on mathematics and sciences, alongside a rich offering in humanities, languages, and extracurricular activities.

What makes St. Olave’s special is its combination of academic excellence with a supportive community. The school nurtures not just academic ability but character development, producing well-rounded graduates who go on to attend top universities including Oxford and Cambridge.

The school’s location in Orpington means it’s accessible from many parts of Southeast London, with an approximate 35-minute commute from Southwark. This makes it a popular choice for families across the region who are looking for exceptional grammar school education within a reasonable travel distance.

St. Olave’s 11 Plus Exam Format

St. Olave’s uses a two-stage testing process that’s more rigorous than many other grammar schools:

Stage One

The first round consists of two papers:

• English paper (1 hour): Comprehension, creative writing, and spelling/grammar
• Mathematics paper (1 hour): Problem-solving and reasoning questions beyond the standard primary curriculum

Only the highest-scoring candidates from Stage One (typically around 600-700 boys) are invited to proceed to Stage Two.

Stage Two

The second round includes:

• English paper (1 hour): More challenging comprehension and writing tasks, which also includes a writing task.
• Mathematics paper (1 hour): Advanced problem-solving questions requiring deeper mathematical thinking

What makes St. Olave’s 11 Plus particularly challenging is the depth of knowledge required. Unlike some grammar schools that test primarily what’s taught in primary schools, St. Olave’s questions often require lateral thinking and application of concepts in unfamiliar contexts.

The school designs its tests to identify not just learned knowledge but innate ability and potential. This means that while preparation is essential, cramming alone won’t be sufficient – children need to develop genuine problem-solving skills and flexible thinking.

Key Dates and Application Process

The application process for St. Olave’s follows this timeline:

1. June (Year 5): Registration opens for the entrance exam
2. September (Year 6): Registration deadline (usually early September)
3. September (Year 6): Stage One tests (usually mid-September)
4. October (Year 6): Results of Stage One and invitations to Stage Two
5. November (Year 6): Stage Two tests
6. October (Year 6): Submit Common Application Form (CAF) to your home local authority
7. March (Year 6): National Offer Day when places are announced

It’s crucial to note that you must register directly with the school for testing in addition to naming St. Olave’s on your CAF. Missing either step will mean your child cannot be considered for a place.

The school typically holds open events in June and July for prospective parents and students. These events provide valuable insights into the school’s ethos and expectations, and we strongly recommend attending if you’re considering applying.

Competition Levels and Success Rates

St. Olave’s is one of the most competitive grammar schools in the country. Typically:

• Around 2,000 boys register for the Stage One tests
• Approximately 600-700 are invited to Stage Two
• Only 124 places are available each year

This means only about 6% of applicants secure a place, making thorough preparation essential. The school doesn’t publish a specific pass mark, as admission depends on ranking rather than achieving a fixed score.

Competition has intensified in recent years, with more families recognizing the value of grammar school education. This makes strategic preparation more important than ever, with successful candidates typically beginning focused work at least 12 months before the exam.

Sample Questions and Practice Approach

While actual past papers aren’t released by the school, our experience with successful candidates shows that preparation should focus on:

Mathematics

• Advanced problem-solving beyond the Year 6 curriculum
• Multi-step word problems
• Mathematical reasoning and proof
• Non-standard applications of arithmetic, geometry, and algebra

Example question style: “A square has an area of 64cm². If its length is increased by 3cm and its width is decreased by 2cm, what is the area of the resulting rectangle?”

English

• Sophisticated comprehension with inference and analysis
• Creative writing with strong vocabulary and varied sentence structures
• Technical accuracy in spelling, punctuation, and grammar
• Ability to write concisely under time pressure

Example question style: “Read the following passage about space exploration and explain how the author creates a sense of wonder. Use evidence from the text to support your answer.”

The most successful candidates develop a balanced approach across both subjects. While many boys naturally excel in mathematics, the English component is equally important and often becomes the differentiating factor in this competitive process.

Online Tuition Strategies for St. Olave’s Success

At Geek School Tutoring, our online approach for St. Olave’s preparation includes:

Targeted Mathematics Development

• Building problem-solving skills through increasingly challenging questions
• Teaching mathematical reasoning and proof techniques
• Developing speed and accuracy under timed conditions
• Exploring topics beyond the primary curriculum

English Mastery Programme

• Expanding vocabulary through targeted reading and word study
• Developing sophisticated writing techniques
• Practicing inference and analysis skills
• Building exam technique for both comprehension and composition

Mock Tests and Feedback

• Regular practice with St. Olave’s-style questions
• Timed conditions to build exam resilience
• Detailed feedback identifying areas for improvement
• Strategies for managing the two-stage testing process

Our online tuition is particularly effective for St. Olave’s preparation because we can provide:

• Specialist tutors familiar with the specific requirements of the school
• Digital resources that match the style and difficulty of actual test questions
• Immediate, specific feedback on practice questions
• Flexible scheduling to ensure consistent preparation

The online format allows us to work with students across Southeast London and beyond, bringing specialist St. Olave’s preparation to families regardless of location. This is particularly valuable given the wide catchment area from which the school draws its students.

Parent and Student Experiences

James’s parents shared: “Our son had always been strong academically, but St. Olave’s requires that extra level of thinking. The online tuition from Geek School helped him develop the problem-solving skills and exam technique he needed. The practice with challenging questions really built his confidence, and we were delighted when he was offered a place.”

Another parent, Sophia, noted: “The two-stage process was daunting, but having a tutor who knew exactly what to expect made all the difference. The online sessions were convenient and focused, and the mock tests were invaluable in preparing our son for the real thing.”

Many parents tell us that the skills developed during St. Olave’s preparation benefit their children regardless of the outcome. The advanced problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills serve students well throughout their education, even if they ultimately attend a different school.

Tips for Parents

1. Start early: Ideally begin focused preparation at least 12 months before the exam
2. Read widely: Encourage reading of challenging texts across different genres
3. Develop mathematical thinking: Focus on problem-solving rather than just curriculum content
4. Practice under timed conditions: Build familiarity with working quickly and accurately
5. Maintain balance: Ensure your child continues to enjoy other activities alongside preparation
6. Stay positive: Keep encouragement high and pressure low

Remember that the journey is as important as the destination. The preparation process should build your child’s confidence and love of learning, not diminish it. Celebrate progress and effort rather than focusing solely on results.

How Geek School Tutoring Can Help

Our specialized online tuition for St. Olave’s 11 Plus preparation offers:

• Expert tutors with proven success in helping boys gain places at St. Olave’s
• Customized learning plans targeting the specific requirements of the school
• Regular mock tests that mirror the actual examination experience
• Detailed progress tracking and feedback
• Flexible online sessions that fit around your family’s schedule

With the right preparation, your son can approach the St. Olave’s 11 Plus with confidence. Our structured online tuition programme provides the knowledge, skills, and exam technique needed to succeed in this challenging but rewarding process.

Want to discuss how we can help your son prepare for St. Olave’s? Contact us today to arrange a consultation with one of our specialist 11 Plus tutors.