About Wandsworth Selective Schools
Wandsworth does not have grammar schools, but several popular state secondaries offer selective or specialist places decided by the Wandsworth Year 6 Test. Graveney School and Burntwood School reserve 25% of places for the highest test scorers (partial selection); Ashcroft Technology Academy and Chestnut Grove Academy use fair banding (five ability bands, with equal numbers admitted from each).
Every child applying to those four schools must register for the Wandsworth Test with Wandsworth Council (the window runs from the summer term to early September). The test is sat in late September at a secondary test venue; you then apply through your home authority’s Common Application Form by 31 October, with offers on National Offer Day (1 March).
Ashcroft and Chestnut Grove also offer a small number of specialist aptitude places (technology and art respectively). A child with an EHCP naming the school does not need to sit the test.
Wandsworth Selective Schools
These Wandsworth state secondaries use the Wandsworth Year 6 Test for their selective, banded or specialist places. Click any school for its detailed admission guide, criteria and key dates:
Graveney and Burntwood use partial selection (25% of places by test score); Ashcroft and Chestnut Grove use fair banding across five ability bands. Several other Wandsworth schools allocate places by distance and other criteria without a test.
About the Wandsworth Test
The Wandsworth Year 6 Test is a reasoning and attainment test used by four Wandsworth secondaries to allocate their selective, banded and specialist places. It assesses verbal and non-verbal reasoning together with English and Mathematics.
How the result is used depends on the school: Graveney and Burntwood offer 25% of places to the highest scorers; Ashcroft and Chestnut Grove use the score to place each child into one of five ability bands, with equal numbers admitted from each band.
Children at Wandsworth state primaries and those from elsewhere all sit the test at a secondary test venue in late September (Wandsworth Council emails the venue and time). Children with an EHCP naming a school do not have to take the test.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Wandsworth Selective Schools
Wandsworth uses a single Year 6 Test to inform selective, banded and specialist admissions at four schools. Register your child with Wandsworth Council during the window (summer term to early September) if you intend to apply to Graveney, Burntwood, Ashcroft Technology Academy or Chestnut Grove Academy. The test is sat in late September; you then apply through your home authority’s Common Application Form by 31 October, and offers are made on National Offer Day (1 March). At Graveney and Burntwood, 25% of places go to the highest scorers; at Ashcroft and Chestnut Grove the score sets your child’s ability band. A child with an EHCP naming the school does not sit the test.
What the Wandsworth Test Covers
The Wandsworth Year 6 Test assesses verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, English and Mathematics. Practising realistic reasoning and KS2 English/Maths material is the most effective preparation.
Wandsworth Test Practice Papers for Wandsworth Grammar Schools
Wandsworth Selective Schools uses the GL Assessment 11+ format. Our practice papers closely mirror the actual test structure — 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
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- 4 high-quality practice tests
- 1 × English, Maths, VR, NVR
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- 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 Wandsworth Test
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.
Wandsworth Selective Schools — Frequently Asked Questions
Does Wandsworth have grammar schools?
No — but several state secondaries offer selective, banded or specialist places decided by the Wandsworth Year 6 Test.
Which schools use the Wandsworth Test?
Graveney School, Burntwood School, Ashcroft Technology Academy and Chestnut Grove Academy. You only need to sit it if you are applying to one of these.
What is the difference between partial selection and banding?
Graveney and Burntwood reserve 25% of places for the highest test scorers (partial selection); Ashcroft and Chestnut Grove place children into five ability bands and admit equal numbers from each (fair banding).
What does the test cover?
Verbal and non-verbal reasoning together with English and Mathematics.
How do I register?
Register through Wandsworth Council during the window (summer term to early September). The test is sat in late September at a secondary test venue.
How do I apply for a place?
List your chosen schools on your home authority's Common Application Form by 31 October; offers are made on National Offer Day (1 March).
Are there specialist places?
Yes — Ashcroft Technology Academy offers technology aptitude places and Chestnut Grove Academy offers art aptitude places, assessed separately.
Does my child have to take the test?
Only if you are applying to one of the four schools. A child with an EHCP naming the school does not have to sit the test.