St Olave’s and St Saviour’s Grammar School

Highlights from Latest Inspection

What is it like to attend this school?

Pupils at St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School benefit from an exceptional all-round education. The school vision of 'Happiness – Success – Community' is deeply embedded in the day-to-day life of the school. The highly ambitious curriculum enables pupils to make exceptional progress.

Results in national tests are very high for pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

The school also provides exceptional pastoral support to its pupils. They feel very happy and safe at school.

If they have any concerns or worries, they know that the school's pastoral team will support them. Pupils' behaviour is exemplary, both in ...lessons and around the school site. Sixth-form students act as role models and mentors for younger pupils.

There are many well-attended clubs and societies run by sixth-form students. These include computer game design, debating, classics and board games. Pupils can join one of the many sports teams, music ensembles, or drama productions.

They can also represent the school in external competitions on robotics, engineering or space design. All pupils take part in political awareness week, diversity week and activities weeks.

Parents and carers are incredibly positive about the school.

One stakeholder said, representing the views of many, 'it's quite a special place, quite unique.'

What does the school do well and what does it need to do better?

The school's broad and ambitious curriculum embodies the high expectations it has for all pupils. The school has thoughtfully selected and sequenced the key knowledge that it wants pupils to learn.

This ensures that pupils develop a deep and rich understanding in every subject. For example, in geography, pupils in Years 8 and 9 consider whether maps can ever be fully accurate due to erosion. In mathematics, pupils consider not just how but why mathematics works as it does.

Teachers demonstrate strong subject knowledge, particularly in the sixth form. This allows them to explain complex concepts clearly to pupils. They use whole-class questioning to deepen and check pupils' understanding.

They identify and address pupils' misconceptions quickly. As a result, the knowledge that pupils learn is securely embedded in their long-term memory. For example, in English, pupils in Year 13 could confidently evaluate different interpretations of the tragic status of Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Pupils with SEND access the same ambitious curriculum as their peers. They achieve highly because their teachers know their individual needs and apply effective strategies to support them. Like their peers, they achieve strong examination results in a wide range of GCSE and A level subjects.

The school promotes a wider love of reading to all pupils. Pupils benefit from well-stocked libraries for both Years 7 to 11 and the sixth form.

Pupil behaviour is exceptional.

A culture of high expectations is embedded throughout the school. Pupils learn what it means to be an 'Olavian'. They develop impressive levels of maturity and treat each other and staff with courtesy and respect.

In lessons, they demonstrate high levels of motivation and resilience. Students in the sixth form make a highly positive contribution to school life. The attendance of pupils, including those in the sixth form, is high.

Pupils across all years study a broad and comprehensive programme of personal, social, health and economic education. They learn about how to improve their mental and physical health. They learn about key issues such as healthy relationships, consent and gender stereotypes.

If they are feeling stressed they can visit the well-being garden, the well-being practitioner or the well-being dog. Pupils spoke very positively about the diverse and inclusive atmosphere. One pupil noted correctly that 'there is a culture of acceptance and respect in this school.'



Pupils have a positive impact on the school through a wide range of leadership positions. The senior prefect team takes a lead role in key aspects of school life including the house system, charity events and community outreach. Many sixth-form students engage in the school's volunteering programme.

Pupils across the school receive purposeful careers advice and guidance. As part of their weekly lecture series, sixth-form students learn about university, higher-level apprenticeships and the world of work. The support they receive enables them to progress to a range of ambitious destinations.

These include medical school, veterinary college and prestigious universities.

Leaders at all levels share the same ambitious and caring vision for the pupils. Staff greatly enjoy working at the school.

They appreciate the culture of cooperation, support and development. Parents, staff and pupils are all proud to be part of this exceptional and inspiring community.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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