St Saviour's and St Olave's Church of England School Review 2026: Historic & Inclusive

Founded in 1903 but with roots dating back to 1562, St Saviour's and St Olave's (SSSO) combines Tudor heritage with the vibrancy of modern Southwark. It serves as a comprehensive Church of England school for girls, sitting just minutes from Elephant and Castle. The school balances a distinctively traditional Anglican ethos with a fully inclusive, multicultural intake that reflects its inner-London community.

The school motto, Heirs of the Past, Children of the Present, Makers of the Future, captures the spirit here. Ms Catherine May has led the school since 2013, fostering an environment where traditional values meet contemporary ambition. The "purple blazer" identity is strong, and students wear their uniform with noticeable pride.

Despite its location on the busy New Kent Road, the school maintains a sense of sanctuary. The Chaplaincy is central to daily life, offering a listening ear to girls of all faiths and none. Collective worship is a regular feature, with major services held at Southwark Cathedral, reinforcing the school's historic links. The atmosphere is disciplined but warm, often described by parents as having a "family feel" despite the urban setting.

Academic performance at GCSE is a standout feature. In 2024, the school achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.59. This indicates that students achieve, on average, more than half a grade higher in every subject than pupils with similar starting points across England. The Attainment 8 score of 56 sits comfortably above the England average of 45.9.

Ranked 1009th in England and 13th in Southwark for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), the school performs in the "national strong" tier, outperforming approximately 78% of schools in England.

At A-level, the picture differs slightly. The school ranks 1693rd in England, placing it in the "national lower" band. In 2024, 41.67% of grades were A*-B, compared to the England average of 47.2%. While value-added scores remain positive, the exceptional progress seen at GCSE levels off somewhat in the Sixth Form.

The curriculum is broad and follows the National Curriculum with a particular strength in English, Mathematics, and Science. Teaching is structured, with clear expectations for behaviour and "respect for learning" evident in classrooms.

Literacy is a major focus across all year groups. With a diverse intake where over 50 languages are spoken, the school places heavy emphasis on ensuring every student can access the full curriculum. Subject specialists deliver lessons with clarity, and the school offers a wide range of GCSE options, including Computer Science, Drama, and Textiles.

Destinations data highlights a strong university culture. In 2024, 74% of leavers progressed to university, a high figure that reflects the school's academic focus. One student secured a place at Cambridge in the most recent cycle, with others moving on to Russell Group institutions and specialist arts colleges.

Employment and apprenticeships are also valued pathways, with 15% of the 2024 cohort moving directly into employment. The school provides robust careers advice to support these diverse routes.

Admissions are coordinated by Southwark Council, but the school sets its own criteria for Foundation places. The school admits 125 girls into Year 7.

Places are divided between Foundation (faith-based) and Open categories. For Foundation places, families must complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) evidencing regular church attendance and return it to the school by the closing date (typically late October).

Competition is high. The subscription proportion of 2.26 indicates there are more than two applicants for every place. For Open places, priority is given based on distance from the school gate. Distances vary annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place.

Pastoral care is organised by Year group rather than vertical houses. Each year has a Head of Year supported by a non-teaching Pastoral Support Manager. This structure ensures that student concerns can be addressed immediately during the school day without waiting for a teacher to finish a lesson.

The Christian ethos underpins the wellbeing approach, emphasising compassion, forgiveness, and community. The Chaplaincy team plays a vital, non-academic role in supporting students' emotional health.

Music is a defining pillar of the school. The Gospel Choir is renowned locally and performs regularly at Southwark Cathedral and community events. Thanks to Foundation support, opportunities for individual music tuition are far more accessible here than in most state schools.

Extracurricular life is vibrant and includes:

The Debate Mate team

A popular and successful club that competes across London.

STEM Club

Encouraging girls to pursue projects in science and engineering.

Sports

Netball and athletics are popular. Although on-site green space is limited, the school makes effective use of local facilities.

This is a state-funded school, so there are no tuition fees.

However, the school benefits from the St Olave's & St Saviour's Schools Foundation, which provides significant financial support for enrichment. Uniquely for a state school, this funding allows SSSO to offer instrumental music tuition free of charge to students, along with the loan of maintained instruments. This removes a major barrier to musical education that exists in many other schools.

Families should budget for standard costs such as uniforms and optional residential trips, though the school works hard to subsidise these where possible to ensure inclusivity.

The school is located on New Kent Road (SE1), offering exceptional transport links via Elephant & Castle (Tube and Rail) and Borough (Tube). There is no on-site parking for parents.

School hours run from 8:35am to 3:15pm. A breakfast club is available for students who arrive early.

Urban Campus. The site is compact and sits on a busy main road. While the internal facilities are well-maintained, outdoor space is limited compared to suburban schools.

A-Level Performance Gap. While GCSE progress is exceptional, A-level results are statistically closer to the national average. Families looking for an elite academic hothouse at Sixth Form may want to review the specific subject results.

Faith Ethos. While the school is inclusive, it is a Church of England school. Families should be comfortable with their daughters attending cathedral services and engaging with the Christian values that shape the school day.

St Saviour's and St Olave's is a true South London success story. It offers a supportive, faith-centred environment where girls make exceptional progress at GCSE. The unique financial support for music sets it apart from other state comprehensives. Best suited to families seeking a school with a strong moral compass and a "family" feel in the heart of the city. The main challenge is securing a place in Year 7.