St Olaves

[Rich2005]

My son got offered his first choice St Olaves and also received a letter from Wilsons (2nd choice) asking to join the reserve list.

I heard lots of bad things about St Olaves on 11+ forum regarding sixth form, pastoral care, pressure etc.

Now I'm not sure where to go? Do I need to join the reserve list of Wilsons?

Why peoples are against St Olaves? Which is good St olaves or Wilsons?

Any thoughts are welcome!!!!

Thanks

Hi Rich2005, I have a DS at ST O, I've pm-ed you.

I have a friend whose DS went through St Olaves and has just left. He had a great education there and it suited him. I hear it described as a 'marmite' school, you either love it or hate it. Sorry I don't know exactly why though! There are people relocating to the area right now just because of the school so they rate it in a major way. DD is at the sister school and some of her friends have brothers at the school. They seem pretty normal, chaps. Some of them geeky in a nice way. Some whose sons didn't get into the school will be very disparaging as a way of squaring it with themselves. The sixth form cull isn't any secret - to the extent of the recent petition by the boys themselves. I don't know Wilsons to be able to comment.

Our DS joined olaves this year and couldn't be happier. Pastoral care seems strong, he's made loads of friends and the workload is manageable with lots of extra activities thrown in. Happy to answer any specific questions!

DD went to sixth form, left last September.

Awful exam factory

I have a son in year 9 and he is really happy there. He wanted to go to st Olaves as it is local to us but I had my concerns as hadn't heard great things about the school. However for him it has turned out to be perfect and we have been very pleased with all aspects of the school - educationally, extra curricular opportunities and pastoral care. I do think students experiences of schools are very individual and what suits one child may not suit another so hard to offer advice.

St Olaves is a good school if you are exceedingly bright and are aiming for Oxbridge. If your son/daughter falls short of that they will think nothing of removing your child from the school. They will purge after GCSEs and at the end of Year 12. If your child is not going to get straight A's at A Level they are not interested. If your son/daughter is under achieving for an A level they will insist your child drops that subject. The leadership team are ruthless and have no compassion. Pastoral care is not great. Some of the teaching is below par but they get away with it because the students are exceptionally bright. So to summarise it is an excellent school for very, very bright students. If your child is anything less than this then you should perhaps consider going elsewhere.