Have you considered sending your child to one of the country's leading grammar schools in Sutton? Here is everything you need to know about admissions in 2025-2026. Read below to:

• Find out about the grammar schools

• Understand what the Selective Eligibility test (SET) 11 plus exam is

• What subjects my child will be tested on

• Exclusive resources you can use to prepare your child

Which schools use the Sutton Selective Eligibility Test?

The London Borough of Sutton has 5 grammar schools (3 boys and 2 girls)! Guess what? They are all covered by the SET test. So what are these 5 schools?

Boys Schools:

• Sutton Grammar School

• Wallington County Grammar School

• Wilson's School

Girls Schools:

• Nonsuch High School for Girls

• Wallington High School Girls

Isn't Greenshaw High School covered by the SET?

Yes, Greenshaw uses the SET test - it is a "partially-selective school" with 60 selective places. SET only for children applying for a selective place.

What is the Sutton Selective Eligibility Test?

The Selective Eligibility Test is the first stage of the 11 plus entrance exam for all of the grammar schools in Sutton. It is mandatory that all students who apply for these schools should take the SET exam.

The SET takes place around the middle of September in Year 6. To be considered for a place in one of the grammar schools in Sutton, please register your child through one of the school's websites.

Registration for the Selective Eligibility Test SET:

Opens: Thursday 1st May 2025 Closing: Friday 1st August 2025

You only need to submit one application which covers all of the grammar schools in Sutton

Your child will be invited to take the test at one of the grammar schools in Sutton (generally on the week of the exam / a few days before). The first round exam will take place on Tuesday 16th September 2025.

Upon passing the first stage, your child will be eligible for a selective place at Greenshaw High School. The 5 grammar schools requires your child to sit a second stage test.

The boys' schools have a shared second stage test which will take place on Saturday 4th October 2025. The girls' schools have their own shared second stage test on Saturday 27th September 2025.

Key dates to remember

• Thursday 16th September 2025: Sutton Selective Eligibility Test registration opens

• Friday 1st August 2025: Sutton Selective Eligibility Test registration closes

• Tuesday 16th September 2025: Stage 1 - Selective Eligibility Test

• Saturday 27th September 2025: Girls combined Stage 2 test for Nonsuch High School for Girls and Wallington High School for Girls

• Saturday 4th October 2025: Boys combined Stage 2 test for Sutton Grammar School, Wallington Grammar School and Wilson's School

• Mid-October 2025: Sutton SET exams are released

• Friday 31st October 2025: Secondary school Common Application Form (CAF) deadline

• Monday 2nd March 2026: National school offers day

Dates are subject to change - always check with schools!

What does the Selective Eligibility Test involve?

The Sutton Selective Eligibility Test includes two multiple-choice examinations. One exam assesses English, while the other evaluates maths. The Sutton SET does not cover verbal or non-verbal reasoning and is largely derived from the Key Stage 2 national curriculum.

Each exam lasts approximately 40–50 minutes, with a break for rest and toilet use between them. Children write their answers in a separate answer booklet.

English Multiple Choice: 4 Main Sections

• Spellings (approximately 6 words)

• Text A comprehension

• Text B comprehension

• Comparison comprehension of both texts

Compared to other traditional 11 plus exams e.g. CEM & GL (used for other schools across the country), the SET is more varied rather than requiring only 1 answer.

These include:

• Select the two most accurate answers

• Select all correct answers / all that apply

• Pick the most accurate explanation

Maths Multiple Choice: Options A-E

Topics are inline with the KS2 Maths national curriculum and include:

• Number and place value

• Four functions (+ - ÷ x)

• Fractions | Decimals | Percentage

• Measurements, Time and Data handling

• Geometry

For more information on topic predictions and 'syllabus' please contact Tutorie on 07961606916 or email us at admin@tutorie.co.uk and one of our team will be happy to help!

What does the Second Stage Exam involve?

Children who have successfully passed the Sutton SET will be invited to the Second Stage Entrance Exam.

Nonsuch High School for Girls and Wallington High School for Girls share the second stage exam.

Sutton Grammar School, Wallington County Grammar School, and Wilson's School share the same second stage exam.

The Second Stage Exam contains 2 non-multiple choice / written exams:

• English: extended writing - typically descriptive or creative writing (1 hour)

• Maths: Standard format (written) paper (45 minutes)

Topics are inline with the KS2 Maths national curriculum.

For more information on topic predictions and 'syllabus' please contact Tutorie on 07961606916 or email us at admin@tutorie.co.uk and one of our team will be happy to help!

How is my child's score given?

The Sutton SET answer sheets are marked in two stages:

1st Stage: machine marked

2nd Stage: manually marked

Points are given for every correct answer. There is no negative marking.

The total score is subsequently age-standardised to ensure fairness for children born later in the academic year.

The scores from the SET and second stage exam are combined, so excelling in one paper can compensate for a lower score in another.

Each of the five grammar schools has its own scoring method.

What is the Sutton SET pass mark?

In Sutton, each school determines its own pass mark for the Sutton SET. If your child achieves this standard, you will not be given their exact scores; instead, you’ll be notified that they have met the requirement and are eligible to sit the second-stage entrance exam. This confirmation is usually sent out in the week following the SET.

Across the UK, grammar schools typically shortlist around the top 25% of candidates based on performance. That said, securing a qualifying score does not guarantee a place, as many schools receive more applications than they can accommodate.

To prepare effectively, it is important to review the admissions criteria of the schools you are targeting. In particular, make sure you understand how oversubscription is managed and whether catchment areas apply.

What is the Sutton Second Stage Exam pass mark?

There is no official pass mark for the second-stage exam. Each school has their own scoring process for the second-stage.

For both the SET and Second-stage exam, you will get a total of 4 standardised score each with a specific ratio weighting (in brackets):

1. SET English Paper (2)

2. SET Maths Paper (2)

3. Second-stage English Paper (3)

4. Second-stage Maths Paper (3)

The standardised scores are weighted in a ratio of 2:2:3:3 and the age allowance is incorporated. The scores are rounded to the nearest 4 marks.

Application process for grammar schools in Sutton

1) Sutton SET (Selective Eligibility Test)

To apply for a place at a selective school in Sutton, you must register your child for the Sutton SET. Registration opens on the websites of the six participating schools in early May 2025 and closes in August 2025.

Your child will sit the Sutton SET at one of the following schools:

• Girls: Nonsuch High School, Wallington High School for Girls, or Greenshaw High School

• Boys: Sutton Grammar School, Wallington Grammar School, Wilson’s School, or Greenshaw High School

  
  

2. Sutton Second Stage Entrance Exam

Children who meet the qualifying standard in the Sutton SET will be invited to the second stage entrance exam at the end of September.

Results are released in October 2025, showing whether your child has achieved the required pass mark. These results will help you decide which schools to include on your secondary school common application form. Be sure to check each school’s admissions policy before making your choices.

The completed application form must be submitted to your home local council by 5pm on 31st October 2025.

3. National Offer Day

On Monday 2nd March 2026, you will receive your child’s school allocation. They will be offered a place at the highest-ranked school on your list for which they meet the entry criteria and where places are available.

✨How do I prepare my child for the exams? Where can I get FREE advice?✨

Preparing for the Sutton SET and second stage entrance exams can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Whether you’d like tailored advice on how to prepare, guidance on what to expect, or simply reassurance about the process, we’re here to help.

📌 If you have any questions, concerns, or you’re unsure about how things work, feel free to reach out.

👉 Visit us: www.tutorie.co.uk

📞 Call us: 07961 606916

📧 Email us: admin@tutorie.co.uk

At Tutorie, we specialise in supporting families through the 11+ journey with expert advice, resources, and tutoring that builds confidence and exam readiness.

Best wishes

Head of Education @ Tutorie