FREE Download: St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School 2026 11+ Exam & Year 7 Entry 11 Plus Guide

St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School, established in 1571 in Orpington, Kent, is consistently ranked among the best grammar schools in the UK. This selective boys' grammar school is renowned for its academic excellence and exceptional all-round education, as highlighted in its recent Ofsted rating from 2024 where it has been rated "Outstanding".

Gaining entry to St Olave's for 2026 Year 7 admissions involves a competitive two-stage 11+ Exam process, comprising the Stage One Test and Stage Two Test. Saint Olaves provides a robust curriculum for boys from Key Stage 3 (KS3) and a co-educational sixth form (6th Form).

Beyond academics, pupils benefit from distinctive co-curricular adventures like World Challenge and Operation Wallacea, fostering unique experiences and personal growth within a truly supportive community.

In this guide, I apply 18+ years of education consultancy to help parents navigate St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions with confidence.

School Details

• Type of School: Grammar School (Boys)
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
• Gender Type: Boys
• Religion: Church of England
• Age Range: 11-18
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1170+
• GCSE Results (2025): Nearly 90% of grades at 9-7
• A-Level Results (2025): 95.1% of the grades secured by Olavians were A* to B

Year 7 Admissions Details

• Year 7 Admissions Policy: Selective
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 120
• Exam Board: Set by school (Selective Eligibility Test - SET)
• Number of Stages: 2
• School Catchment Area: No
• Sibling Policy: No
• Pass Mark: Aim for 90%

This information has been sourced from Get Information About Schools and St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School Official Website.

Navigating the admissions process for St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School can be complex. To assist prospective parents and pupils, I have compiled the essential St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School 11 plus exam dates for Year 7 entry.

Understanding the key 11+ Exam date and other important 11 plus exam dates, including the St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School open day, is crucial for a timely application.

For parents considering one of the top grammar schools in Bromley, understanding the St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School 11 plus exam process is crucial. This guide outlines the key steps for Year 7 entry, based on the official admissions policy.

• Eligibility for the 11+ Exam: Applications are open to boys in Year 6 at primary school when the Stage 1 Entrance Test (SET) is held. Candidates must have their eleventh birthday between 1st September and 31st August inclusive in that academic year. Parents must first fill out the Supplementary Information Form directly on the St Olave's website to register their son for the Stage 1 Entrance Test (SET).
• Younger Applicants: Boys in Year 6 whose tenth birthday falls within this period may also apply for the eleven plus exams, provided a letter of support from their current Head Teacher accompanies their application.
• How to register for 11+ exam: Saint Olaves participates in the co-ordinated admissions process managed by the London Borough of Bromley. Parents must apply through this system.
• Application System: The co-ordinated admissions process is typically handled via the Pan London eAdmissions System. Later in the year (by October 31st), parents must fill out the Common Application Form via the Pan London eAdmissions System, officially naming St Olave's as a school preference.

Further Details: For comprehensive information regarding the 11 plus exam registration and specific key dates, refer to the official St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School Admissions Policy.

St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School does not operate a traditional School catchment area for Year 7 admissions. Instead, entry is highly competitive and based entirely on academic performance in the 11+ exam, rather than proximity to the school. This means there is no specific 11+ exam catchment to consider for Saint Olaves Catchment Area.

Focus intensely on preparing for the rigorous 11 plus test stages, as academic merit is the sole determinant for securing a place.

St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School is a highly sought-after institution. It consistently ranks among the top grammar schools in the UK. Securing a place here is incredibly competitive for Year 7 entry.

As an experienced UK Education Consultant, I understand parental concerns. Many families focus solely on St Olave's. However, a strategic approach to 11+ applications is vital.

St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School receives approximately 992 applications for just 124 Year 7 places. This means around eight boys compete for every single spot. Therefore, having a robust backup strategy is essential.

I always advise parents to consider a portfolio of options. This should include three strong grammar schools and two high-performing independent schools. This strategy helps ensure your son lands in an elite educational environment.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

When families target St Olave's, they often consider other top-tier schools. These are typically within Kent or South East London. Below is a comparison of some excellent alternative options.

Why these schools are top alternatives to St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School:

• Dartford Grammar School: This is a highly academic boys' grammar school. It is a strong parallel option for families in Kent. The Kent Test is a single exam for multiple grammar schools.
• Wilmington Grammar School for Boys: Another excellent Kent grammar school. It offers a robust academic environment. It is often considered alongside Dartford Grammar.
• Skinners' School: Located in Tunbridge Wells, this is a top-performing Kent grammar. It provides a challenging academic curriculum. It is a good choice for those willing to commute further.
• Dulwich College: A premier independent boys' school in South London. It offers world-class facilities and academic rigour. It is an ideal private backup for St Olave's applicants.
• Eltham College: This is a strong co-educational independent school. It is located in South East London. It provides a balanced academic and co-curricular experience.

While St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School is often seen as the "Gold Standard," competition is extreme. A well-thought-out strategy is crucial. Aim for a mix of three grammar and two private schools. This approach significantly mitigates the intense pressure of the 11+ process.

St Olave's Grammar School, often referred to as Saint Olaves, consistently ranks among the most sought-after grammar schools in the UK. Each year, it attracts a substantial number of applicants vying for its highly coveted Year 7 places. This intense competition is a testament to the school's exceptional academic reputation, its commitment to student development, and its thriving community.

Understanding the application landscape is crucial for prospective parents and pupils. According to the National School Census, the number of applications for St Olave's Grammar School has remained consistently high, demonstrating its enduring appeal.

How hard is it to get into St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School?

Given the high number of applications and the excellent reputation of St Olave's Grammar School, it's natural to ask: Is St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School hard to get into?

The answer is yes, it is highly competitive. Success in the rigorous two-stage eleven plus exam is paramount, requiring thorough preparation and a strong academic foundation. While challenging, it is certainly achievable for dedicated pupils.

With the right approach and support, your child can be well-prepared to tackle the entrance tests. To understand exactly what this involves, let's delve into the specific format and content of the St Olave's eleven plus exam in the next section

Parents often ask about the specific format and subjects covered in the St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School 11 Plus Test. Understanding the structure of this selective entrance examination is crucial for effective preparation.

The St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School 11 Plus Test is a highly competitive two-stage assessment designed to identify academically gifted boys for Year 7 entry. As stated in the St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School Admissions Policy, applications are invited from boys in Year 6 whose eleventh birthday falls within the academic year of the test.

Stage 1: Selective Eligibility Test (SET)

All registered candidates sit the Selective Eligibility Test (SET). This initial assessment is a multiple-choice examination, typically following a GL Assessment style, and aims to identify candidates with strong foundational skills across several key areas. The test is approximately one hour in duration.

Candidates are provided with a question booklet and separate answer sheets for marking their responses. The top-performing boys from this stage, usually around 450, are then invited to proceed to Stage 2 of the Saint Olaves selection process.

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Stage 2: Second Stage Tests

Candidates who achieve a qualifying score in the Stage 1 SET are invited to sit the second stage of the St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School 11 Plus Test. This stage consists of two separate papers, focusing on English and Mathematics, allowing for a deeper assessment of academic ability.

Following Stage 2, all scores from both stages are standardised and aggregated to create a final ranking of candidates. The top-ranked boys are then offered places.

In the event of a tie, performance in the Mathematics paper is considered first, followed by creative writing, then the English multiple-choice paper, and finally the Stage 1 SET marks.

St Olave's Grammar School has no fixed 11 plus pass mark; entry scores vary annually. For strong 11 plus exam results at Saint Olaves, PiAcademy recommends aiming for 95%+ in eleven plus exam practice.

As an experienced UK Education Consultant, I understand the importance of a targeted approach when preparing for highly selective grammar school entrance exams. St Olave's Grammar School, renowned for its academic excellence, employs a rigorous two-stage assessment process for Year 7 entry.

This analysis provides a detailed breakdown of the subjects tested in each stage, along with recommended PiAcademy resources to support your child's preparation.

Stage One Entrance Test (SET) Analysis

The Stage One Selective Entrance Test (SET) is a one-hour, multiple-choice examination designed to assess a broad range of academic abilities.

It comprises approximately 60 questions spread across four key areas. Candidates must perform exceptionally well in this stage to be invited back for Stage Two.

• 11+ English Comprehension Practice Papers: Essential for developing strong reading and inference skills.
• 11+ Maths Past & Practice Papers: Covers all KS2 topics with challenging problem-solving questions.
• 11+ Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers: Comprehensive practice for all verbal reasoning question types.
• 11+ Non-Verbal Reasoning Practice Papers: Extensive practice to hone pattern recognition and spatial reasoning.
• 11+ English SET Practice Papers Bundle: Simulate the actual test environment to build confidence and identify areas for improvement.
• ​11+ Maths SET Practice Papers Bundle: Simulate the actual test environment to build confidence and identify areas for improvement.
  
  

Stage Two Entrance Test Analysis

Approximately 450 boys with the highest scores from Stage One are invited to sit the Stage Two tests. This stage consists of two separate one-hour papers: English and Mathematics.

These papers delve deeper into academic understanding and problem-solving, moving beyond multiple-choice formats for much of the assessment.

Stage Two Topic Weighting

Note: While English and Mathematics are equally weighted overall in Stage Two, the school's tie-break criteria (Maths paper, then creative writing, then English comprehension) suggests a nuanced internal weighting, with Maths and creative writing being particularly critical.

• 11+ English Creative Writing: Develops narrative skills, vocabulary, and structural understanding crucial for Section Two.
• 11+ English Comprehension Papers: For mastering complex texts and inference questions.
• 11+ Maths Solved Topic Wise Questions: Specifically designed for non-multiple-choice, multi-step problems.
• 11 Plus (11+) SPaG Practice Papers: Targeted practice for these often more challenging KS2 topics.

Securing a place at St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School is highly competitive. Engaging with a robust St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School 11 plus mock exam is crucial.

These mock tests help students familiarise with the exam format and identify weak areas. This improves speed and accuracy under exam-like conditions for the Saint Olaves entrance.

Parents can check our free 11 plus mock test to gauge their child's readiness. Finding the right 11 plus mock test Bromley can significantly boost your child's confidence.

• Autumn Half Term 1: 02nd September 2025 to 24th October 2025
• Autumn Half Term 2: 03rd November 2025 to 19th December 2025
• Spring Half Term 1: 05th January 2026 to 13rd February 2026
• Spring Half Term 2: 23rd February 2026 to 27th March 2026
• Summer Half Term 1: 13th April 2026 to 22nd May 2026
• Summer Half Term 2: 01st June 2026 to 17th July 2026

Navigating the 11+ grammar school entry requires coordinating with your local authority and understanding specific exam formats. Here are the essential, official resources to help you prepare your application for St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School.

• St Olave's Selective Eligibility Test (SET) Information
• UK Govt. - Get Information on St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School Page
• St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School Ofsted Report
• St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School Admissions Policy
• The PAN London eAdmissions
• UK Govt. - Schools, pupils and their characteristics data
• Gov.UK Find your Local Council Page