Sutton Grammar School: 11+ Admissions and Entrance Exam
Sutton Grammar School is a selective state secondary school for boys aged 11–18, located on Manor Lane in Sutton, Surrey. It is one of the established grammar schools in the London Borough of Sutton, offering an academically focused education and a sixth form that also welcomes female students.
For families considering Year 7 entry, understanding the school’s two-stage 11+ admissions process is essential. Applicants must first pass the shared Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET) before being invited to take the school’s second-stage entrance examinations.
For September 2027 entry, Sutton Grammar School has a published admission number of 150 Year 7 places. However, passing both assessments does not automatically guarantee admission, as places are allocated according to the school’s admissions criteria and priority arrangements.
Parents comparing selective schools can also explore our guide to the best grammar schools in the UK for a wider overview of grammar school admissions.
Page Contents
Where Is Sutton Grammar School?
Sutton Grammar School is located on Manor Lane, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 4AS. It is a boys’ secondary school with a mixed sixth form, providing education from Year 7 through to Year 13.
The school offers a broad academic curriculum alongside extracurricular opportunities in sport, music, drama, science and technology. Its approach also places importance on pastoral care and supporting pupils’ personal development.
Families considering the school should look at its academic environment, transport links, subject choices and wider opportunities when deciding whether it is the right option for their child.
More information about the school can be found on the official Sutton Grammar School website.
Sutton Grammar School Admissions and Year 7 Places
Admission into Year 7 is selective and requires boys to complete both stages of the entrance assessment.
For September 2027 entry, the published admission number is 150 places.
The admissions process involves:
- Registering for the shared Sutton Selective Eligibility Test.
- Achieving the required standard to progress to the second stage.
- Completing the school’s second-stage English and mathematics examinations.
- Meeting the school’s overall admission standard.
- Being considered under the published oversubscription criteria.
Passing the entrance assessments means a candidate can be considered for admission, but it does not guarantee an offer.
How Are Places Allocated?
The school uses a combination of entrance-test performance and home-address priority when allocating places.
For September 2027 entry, the admissions arrangements include:
- Local priority places: up to 75 places are allocated according to combined entrance-test scores for eligible boys living within the school’s specified postcode areas.
- Pupil Premium priority: up to 10 places are available for eligible Pupil Premium applicants living within the specified local areas, subject to the admissions policy.
- Remaining places: other eligible applicants can be considered regardless of postcode, according to the published criteria and ranking arrangements.
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children: receive priority in accordance with the admissions policy.
The policy also includes provisions for children with an Education, Health and Care Plan naming the school.
Parents should read the official Sutton Grammar School admissions policy for 2027 entry for the full allocation rules.
Sutton Grammar School 11+ Entrance Exam
The entrance process is different from schools that use a single 11+ examination. Sutton Grammar School uses a shared first-stage assessment followed by its own second-stage examination.
Stage 1: Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET)
The Selective Eligibility Test is shared by six selective schools in Sutton:
- Sutton Grammar School
- Wilson’s School
- Wallington County Grammar School
- Wallington High School for Girls
- Nonsuch High School for Girls
- Greenshaw High School
The first-stage assessment consists of two multiple-choice papers:
- English: tests reading, comprehension, vocabulary and language skills.
- Mathematics: assesses numerical understanding, calculations and problem-solving.
Children only need to register once for the shared assessment, even if they are considering several participating schools.
Passing the SET makes a candidate eligible to progress to the next stage at Sutton Grammar School and the relevant other participating schools. It does not guarantee a place.
Stage 2: English and Mathematics Exams
Boys who achieve the required standard in the SET are invited to take the second-stage entrance examinations.
For Sutton Grammar School, these assessments cover:
English
Candidates are assessed on their ability to understand and interpret written information, use vocabulary effectively and demonstrate strong written English skills.
Mathematics
The examination assesses mathematical knowledge, calculations and the ability to apply mathematical understanding to problem-solving questions.
The second-stage results are combined with the first-stage scores to determine each candidate’s overall position under the school’s admissions arrangements.
What Is the Pass Mark?
There is no single fixed final offer score that guarantees a place.
The school uses standardised scores from both stages, with adjustments for age and the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI), before calculating the final combined score.
This means parents should not rely on unofficial pass-mark predictions or previous years’ scores as a guarantee of admission.
Sutton Grammar School Catchment Area and Priority Postcodes
Unlike some grammar schools that operate a traditional catchment area, Sutton Grammar School uses specified postcode areas to determine priority for a proportion of its Year 7 places.
For September 2027 entry, the local priority postcodes include:
- SM1
- SM2
- SM3
- SM4
- SM5
- SM6
- SM7
- KT4
- KT17
- CR0 4
- CR4
Up to 75 places are allocated by combined entrance-test score to eligible boys living within these postcode areas, subject to the school’s admissions policy.
Does Living in the Priority Area Guarantee a Place?
No. Living within one of the specified postcodes does not automatically guarantee admission.
Candidates must still meet the required standard in both stages of the entrance assessment. Eligible applicants are then ranked according to their combined scores and the school’s published allocation rules.
Can Boys Outside the Priority Area Apply?
Yes. Sutton Grammar School also considers eligible applicants living outside the specified postcode areas.
The remaining places are allocated according to the school’s admissions criteria and entrance-test performance. This means families outside Sutton can still apply, although they will not receive the same local-postcode priority.
Parents should check the full admissions policy carefully, particularly if they are considering moving house or applying from another local authority.
How to Apply for Sutton Grammar School
Applying for Year 7 involves registering for the entrance examinations and completing the main secondary school application.
For September 2027 entry, the published key dates were:
| Admissions stage | 2027 entry date |
|---|---|
| SET registration opened | 1 May 2026 |
| SET registration deadline | 31 July 2026 |
| First-stage SET | 15 September 2026 |
| Second-stage examinations | 3 October 2026 |
| Secondary school application deadline | 31 October 2026 |
| National offer day | 1 March 2027 |
Important: The registration and examination dates for September 2027 entry have already passed. The main secondary school application deadline is 31 October 2026, so families applying for this intake should ensure their application is submitted on time.
The main application steps are:
- Register for the SET: complete the shared registration process through one of the participating schools.
- Take the first-stage examination: candidates sit the English and mathematics papers.
- Receive the eligibility outcome: boys who achieve the required standard are invited to the second stage.
- Complete the second-stage tests: candidates sit Sutton Grammar School’s English and mathematics examinations.
- Submit the secondary school application: include the school on the Common Application Form through your home local authority.
Remember that registering for the entrance examinations does not replace the main secondary school application.
For further details, visit Sutton Council’s secondary school admissions guidance.
Sutton Grammar School Exam Results and Academic Performance
Academic results are an important consideration for parents comparing selective secondary schools.
Sutton Grammar School publishes information about GCSE and A-level achievements, alongside details of university destinations and wider student accomplishments.
What Should Parents Look For?
When reviewing the school’s academic performance, useful measures include:
- GCSE results: show pupils’ achievement across a range of subjects.
- Attainment 8: measures average achievement across a defined group of GCSE subjects.
- English and mathematics: shows performance in two important core subjects.
- A-level results: provide an indication of sixth-form academic achievement.
- University destinations: help parents understand the progression routes available to pupils.
For the latest available figures, consult the Department for Education’s school performance tables.
Parents can also explore the school’s official results and achievements for further information.
How to Prepare for the Sutton Grammar School 11+
Preparing for a two-stage entrance process requires a structured approach. Children need to develop strong English and mathematics skills while becoming comfortable with multiple-choice and written examination formats.
Build Strong English Skills
Reading regularly can help children improve vocabulary, comprehension and their ability to interpret unfamiliar texts.
Useful preparation activities include:
- Reading different types of books and articles.
- Practising comprehension questions.
- Learning new vocabulary and understanding word meanings.
- Developing grammar, spelling and punctuation.
- Writing clear and structured responses.
Develop Mathematical Confidence
Mathematics preparation should cover both core knowledge and problem-solving.
Important areas include:
- Arithmetic and mental calculations.
- Fractions, decimals and percentages.
- Multiplication and division.
- Geometry and measurement.
- Word problems and multi-step calculations.
- Number patterns and logical reasoning.
Practise Under Timed Conditions
The ability to work accurately under time pressure is important during entrance examinations.
Start with shorter exercises before gradually introducing timed practice papers. Review incorrect answers after each session to understand which areas need more attention.
Parents can use Think Academy’s 11+ practice questions to identify strengths and weaknesses and develop a more focused revision plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sutton Grammar School a Boys’ School?
Yes. The school admits boys into Year 7 and throughout the main secondary years. Its sixth form is mixed, welcoming both male and female students.
How Many Year 7 Places Are Available?
For September 2027 entry, the published admission number is 150 places.
What Is the Sutton Selective Eligibility Test?
The SET is a shared entrance assessment used by six selective schools in Sutton. It consists of multiple-choice English and mathematics papers and is the first stage of the admissions process.
Does Passing the SET Guarantee a Place?
No. Passing the first-stage test only makes a candidate eligible to sit the second-stage examination. Boys must also meet the school’s overall admission standard and are then considered under its oversubscription criteria.
What Subjects Are Included in the Second-Stage Exam?
The second-stage examination at Sutton Grammar School assesses English and mathematics.
Does Sutton Grammar School Have a Catchment Area?
The school uses specified local postcode areas to give priority for some Year 7 places. However, it also considers eligible applicants from outside these areas.
Can Girls Apply to Sutton Grammar School?
Girls cannot apply for Year 7 entry because the main school is boys-only. However, female students can apply for sixth-form entry, subject to the school’s academic and admissions requirements.
Final Thoughts
Sutton Grammar School offers a selective route into secondary education, with a two-stage entrance process designed to assess English and mathematical ability.
For families considering Year 7 entry, it is important to understand how the shared Selective Eligibility Test works, what is covered in the second-stage examinations and how local postcode priority affects the allocation of places.
Passing both assessments does not guarantee admission, so parents should carefully review the school’s admissions policy and consider the full range of criteria before applying.
For children preparing for a future entrance-test cycle, consistent practice in English and mathematics, alongside timed exercises and regular review, can help build the confidence and skills needed for selective school entry.
