St Olave's for sixth form??

[stheno]

My DD is at Grey Coat Hospital in Westminster in year 11, and has been doing extremely well, and always planned to stay for sixth form. A friend persuaded her to try out for St Olave's in Orpington, she got in, the friend didn't.

I know nothing about the school ( I haven't even been round) other than its academic reputation and that it will take her an hour minimum to get there. I know of only one other person who has ever been.

We've told her we are happy to let her choose and tbh I'm more than a little impressed by her initiative, but I really want to find out a little bit more about the school, and the long journey scares me, though I know lots of other kids do it. Currently her school journey is a quick hop up the Victoria line..

Anyone with experience of St Olave's or long school journeys??

Also, I should add, St Olave's say she can do 5 A levels. Double maths, physics , German and RE. It seems like madness to me, but she seems keen. GCH will only do 4, so she will prob do single maths only.

Not my experience but I have been told they tend to have a purge as such at 6th form as the standards are extremely high so if she has been offered a place then many congratulations to her ! there is another site that caters for the 11+ that would have more information but what is the mainline station that she will be leaving from ? Maybe their are some semi fast trains out to Orpington from London Victoria ?

She'd get the train from Brixton. It takes 30 mins and they go every 15 mins in rush hour. But it's a walk either end.

She went to introductory evening last night (no parents allowed!) and she missed the train and had to wait 30 mins. She didn't get home till 9.30

ST Olaves obviously has excellent exam results but a factor is that they are very strict regarding pupils achieving good results in their AS's at the end of the lower 6th (shows age).

I am local and am aware of numerous pupils who have been asked to leave after a year of A levels when their results weren't good enough. (Including one pupil whose dad very sadly passed away a few weeks before their exams - no consideration was made)

Olaves is very much a Marmite school, you're likely to find parents who are very pro and those very anti the school.

Normally I've heard 5 A levels would be not a good idea, because you won't get any extra credit from Unis, they only look at 3 in the end anyway (I'm open to correction). Obviously she is very bright, but why risk getting a less good mark due to overwork? Its very time consuming. For the Uni courses, it might be better to show your abilities and passions in other ways than just more taught courses and qualifications.

I think one exception to this rule is Maths and Further maths which seem to count as 1 in some cases.

Does she know what careers she is interested in.

That is extremely helpful wineoclock and will definitely bear in mind

Yes Au79, am with you with the 5 A levels. I think the idea is to drop one after first year.

And no, she doesn't know about careers options. She's pretty ruthless, she'd make a good politician!

Entry requirements for 6th form have been increased, see this petition before you decide to send your children there:

www.change.org/p/reverse-the-changes-to-the-year-12-admission-policy-at-saint-olaves-grammar-school?recruiter=539767313&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=whatsapp

That is outrageous ! Signed

Why would you sign a petition about a school your DC will never attend.

FWIW, we are fairly local to this school, and I looked at it for DS at 11+. There is a written test, and as he uses a laptop for written work at school, I asked if he could do so for their test. Their response was if he has a statement (he hasn't) they will allow 10% extra time.

It seems that intolerance of any kind of perceived weakness is typical of the school.

I do know girls who have transferred there from Newstead in year 12, who are happy there. Olaves tends to be very good for maths and science subjects - you often get boys transferring the other way, as Newstead has an excellent reputation for humanities. Olaves gets its good results by selecting the very best students, though, rather than amazing teaching (although I am sure there are many fine teachers at the school).

Re the extra subject, DD1 is currently doing AS levels, and says she would rather do 40 GCSEs than 4 A levels (and that's only ASs!). I'm sure that's an exaggeration, but they are an enourmous step up.