One shared second stage.
Wilson's, Sutton Grammar and Wallington County Grammar use one shared boys' second-stage examination, then apply their own admissions criteria.
03 OCT 2026The Sutton selective pathway
Know the route.
Choose with care.
A practical starting point for Cheam and Sutton families: understand the shared SET, the boys' and girls' second-stage routes and the schools each result can lead towards.
STAGE 01 / SHARED SETEnglish + MathsMULTIPLE CHOICE
English paper40-50 min
Maths paper40-50 min
Verbal / non-verbal reasoningNot included
Separate answer sheet / one shared registration
One joint second stage.
Nonsuch and Wallington High School for Girls use a joint second-stage examination and a common selective-ability standard.
26 SEP 2026Local selective options
Five schools.
Distinct decisions.
The exam pathway overlaps, but admissions criteria and school experience do not. Use these summaries as a starting point, then read each school's current policy in full.
Wilson's School
SET + shared boys second stage
WallingtonOfficial admissions ->
Sutton Grammar School
SET + shared boys second stage
SuttonOfficial admissions ->
Wallington County Grammar
SET + shared boys second stage
WallingtonOfficial admissions ->
Nonsuch High School
SET + joint girls second stage
Wallington High School
SET + joint girls second stage
WallingtonOfficial admissions ->
September 2027 entry
The current admissions rhythm.
Registration dates and test dates are time-sensitive. This timeline was checked against official Sutton-school information on 23 August 2026.
Check Sutton Council guidanceSET registration opened
One registration covers the Sutton SET participating schools.
Registration closed
The main deadline for September 2027 entry has now passed.
Selective Eligibility Test
Multiple-choice English and maths for the shared first stage.
Girls second stage
Joint test for Nonsuch and Wallington High School for Girls.
Boys second stage
Shared test for Wilson's, Sutton Grammar and Wallington County Grammar.
Beyond the test
Make a family decision.
A strong score creates options. The right preference order comes from understanding the schools as well as the exam.
Fit before rank
Visit schools, read their admissions policies and consider culture, journey and the child who will attend every day.
Eligibility is not an offer
Passing a stage allows the application to continue. It does not guarantee a Year 7 place.
Order the CAF honestly
List schools in your true preference order and check every deadline with your home local authority.
Prepare for the common demands
Turn the route into a plan.
BrightSET programmes develop the English, maths and paper habits that travel across the Sutton selective pathway, while keeping the child's next learning need in view.
Explore programmes