🎓 Next Cohort begins in:
--
The London Borough of Sutton has 5 grammar schools (3 boys and 2 girls) — and all of them are covered by the SET test.
Boys' schools:
Girls' schools:
Isn't Greenshaw High School covered by the SET? Yes — Greenshaw uses the SET test too. It's a "partially-selective school" with 60 selective places, and the SET only applies to children applying for one of those selective places.
The Selective Eligibility Test is the first stage of the 11+ entrance exam for all of the grammar schools in Sutton. It is mandatory for every student applying to these schools.
The SET takes place around the middle of September in Year 6. To be considered for a place at one of the grammar schools in Sutton, register your child through one of the schools' websites.
Registration for the Selective Eligibility Test (SET):
Opens Thursday 1st May 2025 · Closes Friday 31st July 2026.
You only need to submit one application, which covers all of the grammar schools in Sutton. Your child will then be invited to sit the test at one of the grammar schools (generally the week of the exam, or a few days before). The first round exam takes place on Tuesday 15th September 2026.
Children who pass the first stage become eligible for a selective place at Greenshaw High School. The five grammar schools require a second stage test: the boys' schools share a second stage test on Saturday 3rd October 2026, while the girls' schools have their own shared second stage test on Saturday 26th September 2026.
Dates are subject to change — always check directly with the schools.
The Sutton Selective Eligibility Test includes two multiple-choice exams: one assesses English, the other 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 between them. Children write their answers in a separate answer booklet.
English Multiple Choice — 4 main sections:
Compared to other traditional 11+ exams (e.g. CEM & GL, used by schools elsewhere in the country), the SET is more varied rather than requiring a single answer — question styles include selecting the two most accurate answers, selecting all that apply, or picking the most accurate explanation.
Maths Multiple Choice — options A–E:
Topics are in line with the KS2 Maths national curriculum, including number and place value, the four operations, fractions/decimals/percentages, measurement/time/data handling, and geometry.
Children who pass the Sutton SET are invited to the Second Stage Entrance Exam. Nonsuch High School for Girls and Wallington High School for Girls share their second stage exam; Sutton Grammar School, Wallington County Grammar School and Wilson's School share theirs.
The Second Stage Exam contains two non-multiple-choice, written exams:
Topics are in line with the KS2 Maths national curriculum.
The Sutton SET answer sheets are marked in two stages: Stage 1 is machine- and manually-marked; Stage 2 is manually marked. Points are given for every correct answer, and there is no negative marking.
The total score is age-standardised to ensure fairness for children born later in the academic year. 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.
Each school sets its own pass mark for the Sutton SET. If your child meets the standard, you won't be given their exact score — just confirmation that they've met the requirement and can sit the second-stage entrance exam. This is usually sent out the week after the SET.
Across the UK, grammar schools typically shortlist around the top 25% of candidates. A qualifying score doesn't guarantee a place, as many schools receive more applications than they can accommodate — so it's worth reviewing each target school's admissions criteria, oversubscription policy and any catchment area rules.
There is no official pass mark for the second-stage exam — each school has its own scoring process. Across both exams you'll receive 4 standardised scores, each with a specific ratio weighting: SET English (2), SET Maths (2), Second-stage English (3), Second-stage Maths (3). These are weighted 2:2:3:3, with the age allowance incorporated, and rounded to the nearest 4 marks.
1. Sutton SET (Selective Eligibility Test)
Register your child for the Sutton SET via the participating schools' websites. Registration opens in early May 2025 and closes 31st July 2026. Your child will sit the SET at one of: Nonsuch High School, Wallington High School for Girls or Greenshaw High School (girls); or Sutton Grammar School, Wallington Grammar School, Wilson's School or Greenshaw High School (boys).
2. Sutton Second Stage Entrance Exam
Children who meet the qualifying standard in the SET are invited to the second stage entrance exam at the end of September. Results are released in October 2026, helping you decide which schools to list on your secondary school Common Application Form — be sure to check each school's admissions policy first. The completed form must reach your home local council by 5pm on 31st October 2026.
3. National Offer Day
On Monday 1st March 2027 you'll receive your child's school allocation — the highest-ranked school on your list for which they meet the entry criteria and a place is available.
Preparing for the Sutton SET and second stage entrance exams can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to go through it alone.
At Tutorie, we specialise in supporting families through the 11+ journey with expert advice, resources, and tutoring that builds confidence and exam readiness. If you have any questions or you're unsure how things work, feel free to reach out — call us on 07961 606916, email admin@tutorie.co.uk, or book a free consultation.
Book your free consultation today and let's build a tailored plan for your child's 11+, GCSE or A-Level journey.
For Year 4 & Year 5 · Free in Sutton