Damning details of how an Orpington grammar school put its pupils under copious amounts of stress have been made public after an independent investigation.

St Olave’s Grammar School made headlines in summer of 2017 after parents challenged them for not allowing Year 12 students into sixth form unless they achieved high grades.

Head teacher Aydin Önaç was suspended by the school’s governing body during the outbreak of claims.

Students were told they would be thrown off their courses if they did not achieve Bs in their AS-levels.

After a legal challenge, it was concluded that the practise was illegal and the school withdrew its policy.

An investigation was eventually commissioned by Bromley Council, which found that some students were medically diagnosed with being at risk of suicide.

Students, parents and staff members were interviewed during the investigation along with council figures.

The investigation included student case studies.

Pupil A, described as exceptionally bright, was suffering from mental health issues at the beginning of Year 12 because of a family suicide.

His mother sought assurances that his son would be able to progress into Year 13. However, she was told: “If he needs to repeat a year it will not be in this school.”

Pupil B had to give evidence in court after a teacher was prosecuted for grooming and sexual offences.

The case was just before the boy’s exams and his parents were told the school would not set precedent and could not guarantee him a place.

Pupil B was allowed into 6th form after achieving the required grades.

The report concluded by saying the way students were treated at the school "should never have happened".

Councillor Peter Fortune responded to the report by saying: "Bromley Council fully accepts the recommendations in this independent report which is extremely thorough and useful in pointing to a very much improved way forward for the school which better favours the individual development of pupils in a highly competitive grammar school setting."

He added that there was now a new chair of governors and a new head teacher and that he hoped a line could be drawn on the events in the past years so the school could continue to have success.

Dr Paul Wright, chairman of the board of governors on behalf of St Olave’s, said: "We welcome the report and fully accept its findings and recommendations. We have already taken a number of proactive steps to address many of the issues raised, particularly around governance and student welfare.

"Listening and working with parents, together with staff and students, has been key in making these improvements. We know there is still work to be done and so we will continue to work with them, the Borough and the Diocese of Rochester as we seek to address any remaining actions.

"This has undoubtedly been a difficult and challenging time for everyone within the school community. We offer our gratitude to parents, students and staff, for their support, input and patience during this time, without which, we would not have been able to take the many positive steps forward that we have already been able to make.

"Our aim is always to support students to grow and flourish, and their personal welfare and educational success is paramount. As we move forward, we believe there is much to look forward to as we continue to work together to build a positive future for the School."