1560
Will of Henry Leeke bequeathed money for the foundation of a grammar school.
1561
Foundation of an elementary school by St. Olave’s Church
1571
Letters patent establishing St. Olave’s Grammar School established in the Vestry Hall of St Olave’s Church
1674
St. Olave’s awarded second Royal Charter by Charles II
1800
The practice of marking properties with plaques, as a means of identification and ownership continued until the nineteenth Century - A number of these property marks of the Governors of St. Olave's were brought to the current site in Orpington
1835
A new building in Bermondsey Street, designed by James Field, and occupied until 1849
1855
A new building on Horselydown, designed by Henry Stock, and occupied until 1892
1876
A fascinating insight into our heritage is illustrated here. This hand-carved printing block was recently discovered and appears to have been from around 1876. This would have been used to print certificates stating a student had passed an examination.
1892
A new building on Tooley Street, designed by Edward William Mountford, and occupied until 1967
1918
192 men died as far as the School was advised in the Great War. These men were known as ‘The Fallen’.
1939
St. Olave’s pupils were evacuated to Torquay during the Second World War
1955
This image, captured in water colour by Alan Sorrell, depicts the Lecture Room at the Southwark site shortly before the school moved to Orpington.
1968
Official opening of St. Olave’s Grammar School in Orpington by Geoffrey Templeman, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kent, and dedication of the Chapel by Right Reverend Say, Lord Bishop of Rochester
1998
From September 1998 girls were admitted to the Sixth Form as part of over 100 external students who join St. Olave’s post GCSE.
2008
Our Purpose built Sixth Form Block and Music Centre was opened in 2008
2010
Phase 1 of the redevelopment of the former Olympic sized swimming pool conversion to a multi-purpose Sports/Drama Hall was completed in 2010. The resulting "Thomas Egan Center" (named after one of the major benefactor families) was officially opened in the November by MP for Orpington, Jo Johnson.
2019
In June 2019, the school received unanimous agreement from the Governing Body to introduce a new school crest. Our overriding aim was to achieve a branding that honours our unique and cherished history, indicates our Christian values and provides a clear visual impact better suited for use across a wide variety of mediums and digital platforms.
2019
School Badge
Our school badge has a crown and axe at its centre.
These reflect St. Olave as King and protector of Norway and God as King and protector of His people.
2022
Development of our All Weather Pitch, a wonderful additional resouce for the school, was completed in 2022. This was paid for out of The Voluntary Fund allowing St. Olave's to expand the range of curriculum and co-curricular sport
and exercise we can deliver
