Sutton 11 Plus (SET): The Two-Stage Test Explained
By Simply Eleven Plus · Updated 25 October 2026 · 4 min read
Six selective schools in the London Borough of Sutton share a two-stage 11 plus. Everyone sits the Selective Eligibility Test (SET), and children who do well enough are invited to a second stage at the schools.
Sutton 11 plus at a glance
| The Selective Eligibility Test (SET) | |
|---|---|
| Schools | Greenshaw, Nonsuch High School for Girls, Sutton Grammar, Wallington County Grammar, Wallington High School for Girls and Wilson’s |
| Stage 1 | The Selective Eligibility Test (SET), in mid-September of Year 6 |
| Stage 2 | English and Maths tests set by the schools, for children who do well enough in Stage 1 |
| Register | One online form covering all six schools, usually May to the end of July of Year 5 |
| Note | Access arrangement requests have an earlier deadline, usually in June |
How the two stages work
- Stage 1, the SET: a shared test in mid-September that decides who goes through to Stage 2.
- Stage 2: English and Maths papers set by the schools, in late September or early October. Dates differ between the girls’ and boys’ schools, and some schools add extra assessments.
Passing doesn’t guarantee a place: it makes your child eligible to be considered, and places are then given under each school’s admissions policy.
Don’t forget the second form. Registering for the test does not apply for a school place. You must also name the grammar schools on your home council’s secondary school application (the Common Application Form) by its deadline, usually 31 October of Year 6. Offers are made on National Offer Day, 1 March.
How to prepare for the Sutton 11 plus
- Prepare for both stages from the start: the second-stage papers are usually harder than the first.
- Stretch English with comprehension and wide reading.
- Stretch Maths with multi-step word problems and quick mental maths.
Practise for free
Simply Eleven Plus has 11 plus practice for Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning with instant marking, free to start. Our free live 11 plus mock exams let your child sit a timed paper online under exam conditions. For a full timeline, see how to prepare for the 11 plus.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Sutton SET?
- The Selective Eligibility Test, the first stage of the 11 plus for six selective schools in the London Borough of Sutton.
- How many stages does the Sutton 11 plus have?
- Two. Everyone sits the SET in September, and children who do well enough sit second-stage English and Maths tests set by the schools.
- When do you register for the Sutton 11 plus?
- Usually from May to the end of July of Year 5, using one online form for all six schools.
Free 11+ live mock exams
Let your child sit a real-time, timed mock paper online, then go through the trickiest questions together. It’s free.