Sutton Grammar School

Sutton Grammar requires candidates to take the Selective Eligibility Test (SET) as part of the admissions process. This test evaluates English and Mathematics skills.

Parents must register their child through the Sutton Grammar School website. Further information can be found here:
Sutton Grammar School Admissions Information

Registration usually opens on 1 May in the year your child will sit the test and closes on 31 July. Students who successfully pass the first stage are then invited to sit the Second Stage examinations in late September or early October.

There are two stages to the Selective Eligibility Test (SET). Students will only progress to Stage 2 if they pass Stage 1.

Stage 1
• A multiple-choice Maths test
• A multiple-choice English test

Stage 2
• A standard written Maths test
• A creative writing task for the English assessment

There are two stages to the Selective Eligibility Test (SET). Students will only progress to Stage 2 if they successfully pass Stage 1.

Stage 1

Maths

The Maths paper consists of 50 multiple-choice questions. Students will be tested on:
• Number
• Measurement
• Geometry
• Algebra
• Ratio and proportion
• Statistics
• Probability

English

The English paper is a multiple-choice comprehension paper.

The paper begins with approximately 5 spelling questions, followed by a comprehension passage of around two pages. The comprehension may be an extract from a novel or a poem. Students will then answer approximately 20 questions based on the text.

Students will then read a second comprehension, which is usually slightly shorter, and answer around 10 questions on this passage.

Finally, students will answer 4–6 comparison questions based on both comprehensions.

Both Stage 1 tests are 45 minutes long.

Stage 2

Girls: Nonsuch High School for Girls and Wallington High School for Girls (NWSSEE)

English (40–50 minutes)

This paper is an extended writing task. Students will be given a prompt and asked to write a:
• Story
• Diary entry
• News report
• Speech

Maths (40–50 minutes)

This is a standard written Maths paper. Students are tested on the same mathematical topics as Stage 1 but must show their working out clearly.

The tests do not include:
• Verbal reasoning
• Non-verbal reasoning
• An English comprehension paper

The papers are not multiple-choice.

Boys: Wallington County Grammar School, Wilson’s School and Sutton Grammar School

Maths (45 minutes)

This is a standard written Maths paper. Students will still be tested on the same topics as Stage 1 but are required to show their working out.

English (1 hour)

This paper is an extended writing task. Students will be given a prompt and asked to write a:
• Story
• Diary entry
• News report
• Speech

The tests do not include:
• Verbal reasoning
• Non-verbal reasoning
• An English comprehension paper

The papers are not multiple-choice.

The best 11+ preparation starts with strong topic knowledge.

Practice papers are an important part of 11+ preparation. They help children become familiar with the exam format, question styles, and timed conditions. However, practice papers are most effective when a child already understands the key Maths and English topics that may come up.

Reading is also a huge part of 11+ success. The more children read, the more they develop their vocabulary, comprehension skills, inference, spelling, grammar, and confidence with unfamiliar texts. Regular reading can make a big difference, especially when children are faced with challenging passages in the exam.

Without strong topic knowledge and regular reading, children can quickly find papers overwhelming. They may struggle to break down questions, choose the right method, understand vocabulary, or work out where they are going wrong.

That is why Sparkling Minds Resources focuses on teaching 11+ topics clearly and step by step before students move on to exam-style practice. Our online 11+ course includes:

Detailed teaching videos
Topic posters
Multiple worksheets per topic
SEN-friendly explanations and resources
Practice papers to apply what they have learned

For children who need extra support, our bespoke 11+ tutoring can also help target gaps, build confidence, improve exam technique, and teach effective strategies.

This way, students are not just completing papers for the sake of it. They are building the knowledge, reading skills, and confidence needed to approach the 11+ properly.

Sutton Grammar School does have a catchment area. This includes the postcodes SM1–SM7, KT4, KT17, CR0 4 and CR4. Boys living in these areas may be given priority for places, depending on the school’s admissions criteria.

If two children have the same score and there is only one place left, the school may use distance as a tie-break. This usually means the place would go to the child who lives closest to the school.

As Sutton Grammar School does not currently offer a dedicated daily bus service, it is worth thinking about how your child would travel to and from school each day. Consider how your child would get there each day, how long it would take, and whether they would be travelling independently or with support.

A longer journey can make the school day feel more tiring and may affect how much time your child has for homework, rest, clubs, and other activities.

So, before applying, it is a good idea to think about whether the journey would be manageable for your child and your family day to day.

After the entrance tests, Sutton Grammar School will confirm whether your child has reached the required academic standard. This means they can be considered for a place, but it does not guarantee an offer.

If there are more eligible boys than places available, places are usually offered in this order:

1. Children with an EHCP naming Sutton Grammar School
   These children are considered first.
2. Looked-after or previously looked-after children
   These children are given priority if they meet the required standard.
3. Up to 10 places for boys eligible for income-based Free School Meals
   These places are offered to the highest-scoring eligible boys.
4. Up to 75 places for boys in the priority postcode areas
   These are offered by test scores to boys living in SM1–SM7, KT4, KT17, CR0 4 and CR4.
5. Remaining places by highest test score
   After the categories above, places are offered to boys with the highest scores, regardless of where they live.

If two boys have the same score and there is only one place left, distance from the school may be used as a tie-break.

Families must also list Sutton Grammar School on their Common Application Form for their child to be considered.

Please note: Admissions arrangements can change each year, so parents should always check Sutton Grammar School’s official admissions policy before applying.

If your child is not offered a place in Year 7, there may still be a chance to join later, but this depends on whether a space becomes available.

Sutton Grammar School keeps a waiting list after offers are made. For Year 7, your child can only be added to the waiting list if they passed the admissions tests and Sutton Grammar was included on your Common Application Form.

The Year 7 waiting list is usually held until 31 December of the admission year. After this, joining the school would normally be treated as an in-year application.

For Years 8 to 11, places are limited and only become available if a student leaves. If a vacancy comes up, children on the waiting list may be invited to sit an assessment, and places are offered based on the school’s admissions process.

Because places are not guaranteed, it is always important to have other school options where your child will feel happy, supported, and able to thrive.

Yes, Sparkling Minds Tuition provides personalised 11+ tutoring to help students prepare for Sutton Grammar School’s entrance process. Our tutors support students with the key Maths and English skills needed for the Sutton Selective Eligibility Test, as well as exam technique, timing, confidence, and problem-solving strategies.

We also offer Sparkling Minds Resources, our online 11+ course, which teaches key 11+ topics step by step through videos, posters, worksheets, SEN-friendly resources, and practice materials. This helps students build strong subject knowledge before moving on to timed exam-style practice.