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11+ regional · Sutton (London)

Sutton 11+ tutors and grammar-test prep

Sutton is one of the most competitive selective-grammar areas in England. Five borough grammars, each with its own test and own dates — plus the routine cross-application to Tiffin, Newstead Wood, or St Olave's. A specialist tutor helps with both prep and the planning calendar.

Quick reference

Tests
Each grammar runs its own selection process; multiple tests, multiple sittings
Test providers
GL Assessment + school-specific bespoke papers
Sat in
Late September – November of Year 6 (varies by school)
Subjects tested
English · Maths · Verbal Reasoning · Non-Verbal Reasoning (varies)
Number of grammars
5 state grammar schools in Sutton borough + selective neighbours
Average tutor rate
£40 – £65 / hour

Sutton's selective grammar landscape

Unlike Kent, Bucks, or Essex — where a single consortium test gives you one shot at any grammar in the region — Sutton runs as a patchwork. Each of the five state grammars in the borough sets its own admissions process, with its own test, its own date, and (sometimes) its own paper format. Applicants typically sit multiple tests across late September to mid-November of Year 6 and use whichever score works in each grammar's oversubscription criteria.

On top of the in-borough grammars, most Sutton applicants also test at neighbouring selective state grammars — particularly Tiffin (Kingston), Newstead Wood (Bromley), and St Olave's (Bromley) — which adds another 2-3 sittings to the calendar. The result is a high-pressure, multi-test admissions year that makes prep different from a single-consortium 11+ region.

The five Sutton grammars

  • Sutton Grammar School (boys) — uses a stage-1 GL multiple-choice test followed by a stage-2 selection paper for top candidates.
  • Wilson's School (boys) — runs its own bespoke selection process, including subject-specific writing under timed conditions.
  • Wallington High School for Boys — GL-based stage-1, with an additional selection round for borderline cases.
  • Wallington High School for Girls — separate from the Boys' school but follows a similar two-stage selection model.
  • Nonsuch High School for Girls — uses a bespoke test, including a creative-writing element for some sittings.

Common cross-borough applications

  • Tiffin School (Kingston, boys) and Tiffin Girls' School — some of the most over-subscribed state grammars in London. Two-stage test process with a separate Tiffin entrance paper.
  • Newstead Wood (Bromley, girls) — stage-1 GL plus a bespoke stage-2.
  • St Olave's Grammar School (Bromley, boys) — bespoke entrance paper with strong English and Maths emphasis.

How prep typically runs

A Sutton 11+ year is logistically heavier than a single-test region:

  • Year 5 autumn — register interest with each target grammar. Read each school's published admissions page carefully; test dates and registration windows vary. Pay particular attention to bespoke-test schools (Wilson's, Nonsuch) — their format diverges from generic GL.
  • Year 5 winter / spring — KS2 foundation work and broad GL-style familiarisation. At this stage you're still building the toolkit; specifics come later.
  • Year 5 summer / Year 6 start — school-specific prep. Each bespoke test gets its own block: Wilson's writing, Nonsuch creative writing, Tiffin's stage-2 papers, etc. This is where local-specialist tutoring earns its keep.
  • Year 6 September-November — testing season. The calendar is tight. Tutors help with logistics — which test on which weekend, recovery time between sittings, what to revise the night before each.

What to look for in a Sutton-specialist tutor

Sutton 11+ prep rewards tutors who treat each target grammar individually. Things to ask:

  • Which Sutton grammars (and adjacent: Tiffin, Newstead Wood, St Olave's) have they prepped students for in the last two years?
  • Do they cover the bespoke test formats (Wilson's, Nonsuch) as well as standard GL?
  • How do they help families plan the testing calendar and pace prep across school-specific blocks?
  • Do they offer any combined prep (e.g. Sutton + Wilson's together) or is each engaged separately?

The borough has plenty of generic 11+ tutors. Sutton applicants benefit far more from tutors with a portfolio of specific local grammars; ask for evidence of recent placements.

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Common questions

  • Why is Sutton different from other 11+ regions? +

    Most 11+ regions use a single shared test (Kent, Bucks, Trafford, Essex). Sutton doesn't — each grammar runs its own selection process, with separate registration, separate test dates, and (sometimes) separate paper formats. Children targeting multiple Sutton grammars sit multiple tests across September-November of Year 6.

  • Which Sutton grammars are there? +

    Sutton has five state grammars: Sutton Grammar (boys), Wallington High School for Boys, Wallington High School for Girls, Wilson's School (boys), and Nonsuch High School for Girls. There's also Sutton High School (independent, separate admissions). Many Sutton applicants also apply to grammars in neighbouring boroughs — Tiffin (Kingston), Newstead Wood (Bromley), and St Olave's (Bromley) are common stretches.

  • How over-subscribed are the Sutton grammars? +

    Severely. Sutton, Wilson's, Wallington Boys, and Tiffin (Kingston) are among the most competitive state-grammar entries in England — applications can run 10:1 against places, and qualifying scores well above the standard pass mark are typical. The most successful candidates often have strong test-taking skills across multiple paper formats.

  • Can children apply to multiple grammars across boroughs? +

    Yes — that's the norm. Each grammar has its own application process and test, so a Sutton-resident family targeting selective state-grammar entry typically registers for 3-5 tests across September-November of Year 6 (Sutton, Wallington pair, Wilson's, plus Tiffin / Newstead Wood / St Olave's outside the borough). It's logistically intense and benefits from coordinated planning.

  • How much testing does a typical Sutton applicant do? +

    Realistically: 4-6 sittings across late September to mid-November. Each test takes a couple of hours plus travel. Tutors who specialise in this region help families plan the test calendar and tailor prep to which formats appear in which sittings (some grammars use bespoke papers; others use standard GL).

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Last reviewed: 2026-04-29