About Sutton Grammar School
Sutton Grammar School is a selective state grammar school for boys (with a co-educational sixth form) in Sutton, south-west London. It charges no fees. Entry to Year 7 is by the school's own two-stage selection process — the multiple-choice Selective Eligibility Test (SET) in English and Maths, followed by Sutton Grammar's own written Second Stage Entrance Examination — rather than a county-wide shared consortium test.
The school is consistently one of the highest-performing state schools in the country, with excellent GCSE and A-Level results and a broad co-curricular programme spanning sport, music, drama and a wide range of societies.
Academically, Sutton Grammar is consistently among the highest-performing state schools in England, with strong GCSE and A-Level outcomes and most sixth-form leavers progressing to leading universities. Because it is heavily oversubscribed, reaching the required standard in the entrance tests does not by itself guarantee the offer of a place.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Sutton Grammar School
Admission is by a two-stage process. All applicants first sit the Selective Eligibility Test (SET) — two multiple-choice papers (English and Maths, KS2-based, age-standardised); the SET is shared across Sutton's grammar schools, so a boy sits it once. Boys who reach Sutton Grammar's required standard are then invited to its Second Stage Entrance Examination, written English and Maths papers shared with Wilson's School and Wallington County Grammar School. Passing both stages makes a boy eligible — you must still name the school on the Common Application Form. After children with an EHCP naming the school, places are offered by oversubscription criteria: looked-after children, then boys in the catchment (SM1–7, KT4, KT17, CR0 4, CR4), with straight-line distance as the final tie-break. Always confirm the current arrangements in the school's admissions policy.
Catchment Area for Sutton Grammar School
Sutton Grammar School gives priority to boys living within its designated catchment area, which covers the postcode districts SM1–7, KT4, KT17, CR0 4 and CR4. Catchment is one of the main oversubscription criteria once a boy has reached the required standard in the two-stage entrance tests.
Because the school is heavily oversubscribed, reaching the qualifying standard and living in catchment still does not guarantee a place. If you live further away, factor in the daily journey — how long it takes, the transport available and whether your son will travel independently — before naming the school on your Common Application Form.
Subjects Tested at Sutton Grammar School
Both stages assess only English and Mathematics, based on the Key Stage 2 national curriculum — there are no verbal or non-verbal reasoning papers. Stage 1 (the SET) is multiple-choice; the Stage 2 Second Stage Examination is written, with the English paper usually based on a prompt.
Independent 11+ Practice Papers for Sutton Grammar School
Sutton Grammar School uses the Independent 11+ format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Sutton Grammar School 11+ Exam
Sutton Grammar's entrance tests reward accuracy and pace. For Stage 1 (the SET), practise multiple-choice English and Maths under timed conditions; for Stage 2, practise written, open-answer Maths and an English task based on a prompt, as the second-stage papers are not multiple-choice. The steps below work for both stages.
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Sutton Grammar School — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to Sutton Grammar School for Year 7?
Register your son online for the Selective Eligibility Test (SET) from 1 May 2026, sit the SET (Stage 1) and, if he reaches the required standard, the Second Stage written exam (Stage 2). You must then name Sutton Grammar School on your Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) by 31 October 2026.
What entrance test does Sutton Grammar School use?
Its own two-stage selection, not a shared consortium test. Stage 1 is the multiple-choice Selective Eligibility Test (SET) in English and Maths; Stage 2 is Sutton Grammar's own written English and Maths examination, shared with Wilson's School and Wallington County Grammar School.
Is Sutton Grammar School selective, and is it free?
Yes. Sutton Grammar School is a selective state grammar school for boys (with a co-educational sixth form) and charges no fees.
When does Sutton Grammar School's entrance test take place in 2026?
For September 2027 entry, the SET is on Tuesday 15 September 2026 and the Second Stage Entrance Examination on Saturday 3 October 2026.
When are the entrance test results released?
Results are emailed to parents by the end of October 2026, before the Common Application Form deadline.
When is National Offers Day for Sutton Grammar School in 2027?
National Offers Day is 1 March 2027, when Local Authorities tell families which secondary school place their child has been allocated.
Does Sutton Grammar School have a catchment area?
Yes. Priority is given to boys living in the postcode areas SM1–7, KT4, KT17, CR0 4 and CR4, with straight-line distance to the school used as a tie-break.
How many Year 7 places does Sutton Grammar School offer?
The published admission number is 135 places for Year 7.
How can my child prepare for the Sutton Grammar School entrance exam?
Practise multiple-choice English and Maths for the SET and timed written English and Maths for the Second Stage exam. ExamTutor offers practice papers with full video explanations to build confidence and exam technique.