Sutton 11 Plus Registration 2026: Key Dates, and How to Apply

The Sutton 11 plus uses a two-stage exam called the Selective Eligibility Test (SET). Registration opens 1st May 2026 and closes at midnight on 31st July 2026. The SET takes place on 15th September 2026. Crucially, the Sutton 11+ exam does not test Verbal or Non-Verbal Reasoning. It covers English and Maths only. One registration covers all five Sutton grammar schools. Results arrive in mid-October 2026, and the Common Application Form must be submitted by 31st October 2026. 

Thinking about a grammar school place in Sutton for your child? The Sutton 11 plus works very differently from most grammar school exams in England. This guide covers everything you need to know, from confirmed 2026 registration dates to how the two-stage exam works.

The five grammar schools in Sutton

There are five grammar schools in Sutton, all of which use the Selective Eligibility Test (SET) for Year 7 entry. Your child sits one exam, and one registration covers all five schools. Here is the complete list.

• Nonsuch High School for Girls

• Sutton Grammar School

• Wallington County Grammar School

• Wallington High School for Girls

• Wilson's School

• Greenshaw High School

Sutton 11 plus exam dates 2026

1st May 2026: Sutton 11 plus registration opens online via participating school websites 

12th June 2026: Deadline to request access arrangements (extra time, reader, etc). Earlier than the main registration deadline 

31st July 2026: Sutton 11 plus registration closes at midnight. No late registrations accepted under any circumstances 

15th September 2026: The Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET) - Stage 1 exam. English and Maths multiple-choice papers 

26th September 2026: Stage 2 exam for Nonsuch High School for Girls and Wallington High School for Girls 

3rd October 2026: Stage 2 exam for Wilson's School, Wallington County Grammar School and Sutton Grammar School 

10th October 2026: Wilson's School Aptitude Test Day (Wilson's School shortlisted boys only) 

Mid to late October 2026: SET results sent to parents. Stage 2 results emailed before the CAF deadline 

31st October 2026: Deadline to submit Common Application Form (CAF) to your home local authority 

1st March 2027: National Offer Day. School places confirmed 

How to register for the Sutton 11 plus exam

Registering for the Sutton 11 plus exam is straightforward, but there are a few important things to know before you start.

Who needs to register?

Every child who wants to sit the Sutton 11 plus must be registered by a parent or guardian. Unlike some grammar school areas such as Buckinghamshire, there is no automatic registration system in Sutton. Every family must actively register their child during the registration window, regardless of which school they currently attend.

How do I register?

Registration is completed online through the registration portal linked from the websites of the five participating grammar schools. The registration form opens on 1st May 2026. You will need your child's personal details, including their date of birth and current school. Registration is free.

If your child is applying to more than one Sutton grammar school, you only need to register once. One registration covers all five schools and Greenshaw High School.

Supplementary Information Forms

Some Sutton grammar schools require a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) in addition to the main registration. For Sutton Grammar School, parents must complete this separately on the school's website. Check the admissions page of each school you are applying to before the registration window closes, as missing a SIF can affect your child's application even if they pass the exam.

Where will my child sit the exam?

After registering, you will be emailed details of your child's test location, timing and what to bring before the exam. The test is typically held at one of the participating grammar schools. Details are usually sent out in the weeks before the 15th September exam date.

The Sutton SET exam format explained

The Sutton Selective Eligibility Test is unlike many other 11 plus exams in England. The most important thing to understand is what it does and does not test.

The SET consists of two multiple-choice papers. Each paper takes approximately 40 to 50 minutes, with a short break in between. Both papers are sat on the same day, 15th September 2026. 

English

The English paper is split into four sections. One section tests Key Stage 2 spelling. The other three test reading comprehension based on Text A, Text B, and a comparison of Texts A and B. The question format is more varied than standard 11 plus exams. Questions may ask your child to select one answer, select the two most accurate answers, select all that apply, or pick the most accurate explanation from a list.

Maths

The Maths paper is multiple-choice with five answer options per question. Topics covered include number and place value, the four operations, fractions, decimals and percentages, measurement, geometry (properties of shapes, position and direction) and statistics. Content is broadly based on the Key Stage 2 national curriculum, though questions can be stretching in their presentation and problem-solving demand.

The second stage entrance exam

The Sutton 11 plus is a two-stage process. Only children who pass the SET are invited to sit the second stage entrance exam. This is where the Sutton 11 plus becomes more demanding, because Stage 2 is not multiple-choice.

1. Stage 1: The Selective Eligibility Test (SET)

Two multiple-choice papers covering English and Maths. Sat by all registered applicants on the same day. Results sent to parents in the weeks following the exam. Children who meet the qualifying standard are invited to Stage 2. Parents are told whether their child has passed, not their exact score. 

2. Stage 2: Second Stage Entrance Exam

Stage 2 consists of two written papers that are not multiple-choice. This is an important change in format that children need to be specifically prepared for.

• English: Extended writing task. 1 hour. Children write at length in response to a prompt, demonstrating their ability to construct, develop and express ideas in writing.

• Maths: Standard written Maths paper. 45 minutes. Based on the Key Stage 2 curriculum with more demanding questions than the SET.

The schools split into two groups for Stage 2. Nonsuch High School for Girls and Wallington High School for Girls hold their Stage 2 on Saturday 26th September 2026. Wilson's School, Wallington County Grammar School and Sutton Grammar School hold their Stage 2 on Saturday 3rd October 2026.

3. Wilson’s School: Aptitude Test Day

Wilson's School holds an additional Aptitude Test Day, unique to Wilson's alone. This is only taken by boys who have been shortlisted following both the SET and the Stage 2 exam. If your son is invited to the Aptitude Test, full details will be sent by Wilson's School directly. Always check Wilson's admissions policy for the most up-to-date information on how this stage is used. 

How the Sutton 11 plus is scored

The Sutton 11 plus uses age standardisation to ensure fair comparison between children of different ages within the same year group. Younger children are not penalised for being born later in the school year.

Parents are told only whether their child has met the required standard, not their exact marks. There is no published fixed pass mark for the SET. Each school sets its own qualifying threshold independently.

How Sutton Grammar School calculates its final score

Sutton Grammar School provides one of the clearest examples of how combined scoring works across both stages. Children receive four standardised scores: one for each of the four papers (SET English, SET Maths, Stage 2 English, Stage 2 Maths). These four scores are then combined using a weighted ratio of 2:2:3:3, meaning the Stage 2 papers carry more weight than the SET papers. An age allowance is added, and the total is rounded to give a final score on which offers are based.

Other schools in the consortium use the scores differently. Always check each individual school's admissions policy for full details of how they use Stage 2 results to make offers.

Does passing guarantee a place?

No. Passing the SET invites your child to Stage 2. Passing Stage 2 makes your child eligible for a place. But all five grammar schools in Sutton are oversubscribed with qualifying candidates, which means even children who pass both stages may not receive an offer at their preferred school. Once the qualifying standard has been met, admissions criteria including catchment area, distance from school and siblings already attending the school determine who receives a place.

How to apply for a Sutton grammar school place

Applying for a Sutton grammar school place involves two separate processes that must both be completed. Missing either one will affect your child's chances.

Step 1: Register for and sit the SET

Register online between 1st May and 31st July 2026. Your child sits the SET on 15th September 2026. If they pass, they will be invited to Stage 2 in late September or early October.

Step 2: Submit the Common Application Form (CAF)

The CAF must be submitted to your home local authority by 31st October 2026. This is the form through which you formally apply for a secondary school place. Only list grammar schools on the CAF if your child has been confirmed as meeting the qualifying standard. Always include at least one non-selective school as a backup.

If you live in London or Surrey, you can submit the CAF online through your local authority's admissions portal. If you live elsewhere, check your home local authority's process. The CAF deadline of 31st October is the same regardless of where you live.

How to prepare your child for the Sutton 11 plus

The Sutton 11 plus is academically demanding and highly competitive. All five grammar schools are among the highest-performing state schools in England and receive far more applications than they have places. Thorough preparation across both stages is essential.

Because the Sutton 11 plus focuses on English and Maths rather than Verbal or Non-Verbal Reasoning, preparation should be targeted and specific to this exam. Here is how our programmes at Pass 11 Plus Grammar help families prepare.

Build strong English and Maths foundations early

The Sutton SET is based on the Key Stage 2 curriculum but demands a level of precision and analytical thinking that goes beyond what most children develop through school alone. Starting 11 plus tuition in Year 4 or early Year 5 gives your child the time to develop the depth of understanding the exam requires without last-minute pressure. Our expert tutors cover both English comprehension and Maths in structured, progressive sessions.

Focus specifically on extended writing for Stage 2

The Stage 2 English paper requires your child to produce an extended piece of writing under time pressure. This is a skill that requires specific and regular practice, and it is very different from answering multiple-choice questions. If your child passes the SET and reaches Stage 2, they must be ready to write clearly, fluently and with strong vocabulary and structure in under an hour. Our 11 plus tutors include extended writing practice as a core part of Stage 2 preparation.

Practise comprehension with the right question formats

The Sutton SET comprehension questions are more varied and demanding than standard 11 plus papers. Children need to practise selecting the most accurate answer from several plausible options, comparing two texts, and inferring meaning rather than simply locating facts. Our free 11+ practice papers are a great starting point for home practice and are available to download right now at no cost.

Get an intensive boost before the September exam

The summer holiday is the ideal time for a concentrated final push. Our 11 plus intensive summer course covers English and Maths in small groups with experienced tutors, including timed practice under exam conditions built into every session. It is designed to sharpen your child's skills in the weeks immediately before the September SET.

Sit a full mock exam to build confidence and familiarity

Walking into an exam room for the first time is one of the biggest sources of anxiety for children. Our 11 plus mock exams give your child the experience of sitting a full exam in realistic conditions, with timed papers and detailed subject-by-subject feedback. Children who have sat a mock exam consistently perform better on the real day because the environment and format are no longer unfamiliar.

Final thoughts

The Sutton 11 plus is one of the most distinctive grammar school exams in England. Its two-stage format, its English and Maths only content, and the extended writing demand of Stage 2 make it both different and demanding. The five grammar schools in Sutton are consistently ranked among the very best state secondary schools in the country, and competition for places is fierce.

At Pass 11 Plus Grammar, our expert tutors prepare children for both stages of the Sutton exam with targeted, structured programmes covering English and Maths at the depth this exam demands. We give your child everything they need. Get in touch today to find out how we can help.