About Sutton High School
Sutton High School is an independent day school for girls aged 3–18 in Sutton, Greater London, part of the Girls' Day School Trust (GDST) and founded in 1884. It educates over 700 pupils in a close, supportive community with strong results and pastoral care. As an independent school it charges fees (set termly; confirm the current figure with the school), with a £150 registration fee and a £1,000 acceptance deposit.
Entry to Year 7 is by the school's own entrance assessment — an online test covering Mathematics, English (comprehension and verbal reasoning) and Non-Verbal Reasoning — plus a (non-assessed) taster lesson and a brief interview with senior staff. All girls who sit the exam are automatically considered for an Academic Scholarship.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Sutton High School
Sutton High runs its own admissions. Register online directly with the school (a £150 registration fee applies, £240 for overseas candidates). On the assessment day your daughter sits an online test covering Mathematics, English (comprehension and verbal reasoning) and Non-Verbal Reasoning, takes part in a (non-assessed) taster lesson, and has a brief interview with a member of the Senior Staff. All girls who sit the entrance exam are automatically considered for an Academic Scholarship. Outcome letters are emailed by 22 December, and a £1,000 deposit is payable on accepting a place. Some families apply at 10+ to secure a senior-school place and avoid 11+ pressure.
Academic Performance at Sutton High School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Sutton High School is an academically successful GDST school with outstanding results and award-winning careers guidance.
- GCSE: a high proportion of strong grades across a broad curriculum.
- A-Level: strong A-Level results (around 79% at A*–B in a recent year).
- Progression: strong progression to leading universities, supported by individual careers guidance (the first independent school awarded the Platinum Career Mark).
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Sutton High School
As an independent school, Sutton High has no catchment area; girls travel in from across Sutton and the surrounding London boroughs and Surrey. Places are awarded on the entrance assessment and interview.
Sutton High offers academic scholarships (up to 50%), performance scholarships in Art, Music, Drama and Sport (typically ~10%, up to 30%), and means-tested bursaries up to full fees; apply via the online application form.
Subjects Tested at Sutton High School
Sutton High's entrance assessment is the school's own online test covering Mathematics, English (reading comprehension and verbal reasoning) and Non-Verbal Reasoning, followed by a (non-assessed) taster lesson and a brief interview. The maths does not go beyond Year 5 work, and the test rewards clear thinking rather than narrow preparation.
Independent 11+ Practice Papers for Sutton High School
Sutton High School uses School's own bespoke 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 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Sutton High School 11+ Exam
Sutton High’s entrance assessment rewards broad, secure Year 5 skills and familiarity with the online format rather than heavy drilling. Build confident maths and English and practise timed verbal and non-verbal reasoning. The steps below help.
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.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1884 and part of the Girls’ Day School Trust, Sutton High School is an all-through day school for girls (ages 3–18), guided by its motto ‘Fortiter, Fideliter, Feliciter’ (with courage, with truth, with joy). A smaller, close-knit school with no formal religious affiliation, it places wellbeing at the centre — ‘girls do better when they feel better’ — alongside excellence in pastoral care.
Girls benefit from a wide programme of sport, the arts and STEM activities, and from the wider opportunities of the GDST family of schools. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Sutton High School — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to Sutton High at 11+?
Register online directly with the school (a £150 registration fee applies). On the assessment day your daughter sits an online test, takes a taster lesson and has a brief interview; outcome letters are emailed by 22 December.
What is the Sutton High entrance assessment?
The school's own online test covering Mathematics, English (comprehension and verbal reasoning) and Non-Verbal Reasoning, plus a non-assessed taster lesson and a brief interview with senior staff.
Is Sutton High selective, and does it charge fees?
Yes — it is a selective independent girls' day school (part of the GDST), so it charges fees (set termly; confirm the current figure with the school).
Is the assessment a entrance test?
No — it is the school's own GDST online assessment (not a CEM, GL or consortium test), covering maths, English with verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning.
Does Sutton High have a catchment area?
No. As an independent school it admits girls from any area; the Sutton site is well connected across south London and Surrey.
When are outcomes released?
Outcome letters are emailed by 22 December, so candidates do not have a long wait; the assessment takes place earlier that term.
Are scholarships and bursaries available?
Yes — all candidates are automatically considered for an Academic Scholarship (up to 50%); Performance scholarships (Art, Music, Drama, Sport) and means-tested bursaries up to 100% are also available.
Can my daughter join before Year 7?
Yes — Sutton High is an all-through school from age 3, and some families apply at 10+ to secure a senior-school place.
How can my daughter prepare?
Build confident Year 5 maths and English and practise timed verbal and non-verbal reasoning; the maths does not go beyond Year 5. ExamTutor offers Independent-style practice papers with full video explanations.