Wilson's School (11+) 11 Plus Exam - 2026 Key Information

Wilson's School is a historic selective grammar school for boys based in Wallington, Surrey. Established in 1615, it delivers an exceptional education to 1,200+ boys aged 11 to 18, covering Key Stage 3 (KS3) and sixth form (6th Form).

Widely recognised among the best grammar schools in the UK, the Wilson school is celebrated for its outstanding academic achievements and distinct ethos. The school proudly holds an Ofsted Rating of "Outstanding".

Recently named The Sunday Times State Secondary School of the Year 2024, this institution combines elite academics with intellectual independence. Students at Wilson school thrive through unique opportunities like the student-led STEM journal, The Wilson’s Intrigue, and a historic Combined Cadet Force.

In this guide, I apply 18+ years of education consultancy to help parents navigate Wilson's School 2026 11 plus (11+) Exam admissions with confidence.

School Details

• Type of School: Grammar / Academy
• Boarding Type: No Boarding
• Gender Type: Boys
• Religion: None
• Age Range: 11–18
• Number of Pupils (Total): 1320+
• Wilson's School GCSE Results (2025): 87.8% achieved Grades 9–7 (A*–A)
• Wilson's School A-Level Results (2025): 95.4% achieved Grades A*–B

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Year 7 Admissions Details

• Year 7 Admissions Policy: Selective
• Number of Places in Year 7 (PAN): 180
• Exam Board: Sutton SET
• Number of Stages: 2
• School Catchment Area: No
• Sibling Policy: No
• Pass Mark: Aim for 90%

​​Planning for the Wilson's School open day and the rigorous two-stage test requires foresight. I have compiled the essential Wilson's School 11 plus exam dates below, including the 11+ Exam date for both stages, to streamline your application timeline.

These 11 plus exam dates guide you through the Sutton Consortium process.

Admissions to Wilson school are highly competitive and strictly managed through a coordinated scheme. Parents must understand how to register for 11+ exam cycles accurately to secure a chance for Year 7 entry.

The process involves two distinct applications: registering for the entrance test and submitting the local authority form. This procedure aligns with other grammar schools in Sutton, utilising a shared testing framework.

Registration and The Common Application Form

For the September 2026 entry, your son must sit the entrance examinations in September 2025. You must complete the necessary 11 plus exam registration steps online before the strict deadlines.

• Review the official Wilson's School Admissions Policy to understand oversubscription criteria.
• Complete the online registration for the Selective Eligibility Test (SET) by mid-August 2025.
• Boys who pass the Stage One Test will receive an invitation to the Stage Two Test.
• Submit the Common Application Form (CAF) to your home municipality by 31 October 2025.
• Residents of the borough should apply via the Sutton Local Authority website.
• Use the Pan London eAdmissions System to list Wilson's School as a preference.

As stated in the Wilson's School Admissions Policy, Wilson's School does not have a Catchment Area.

Our Practical Tip for Parents

Searching for a Wilson school Catchment Area is unnecessary. Since admission to Wilson school is determined by the 11 plus test rank rather than a School catchment area or 11+ exam catchment, prioritise academic preparation, but ensure the daily commute is sustainable for your son.

As stated in the Wilson's School Admissions Policy, the entrance procedure for Year 7 entry in September 2026 comprises two stages. Detailed knowledge of this structure helps parents prepare their sons effectively.

Stage One Test

​The Stage One exam is known as the Selective Eligibility test Sutton 2026 (SET). This test is shared by several local grammar schools to filter applicants. 

Both papers consist purely of multiple-choice questions. It serves as a qualifying round, but the marks obtained here are also carried forward to determine the final entrance rank. Parents should ensure their son is comfortable with strict timing conditions.

Stage Two Test

Only boys who meet the qualifying standard in the SET progress to the Wilson's School 11 Plus Test Stage Two. The questions here are standard format, meaning students must write out their answers and show working for Maths. The final Admissions rank is calculated using the combined total scores from the SET and this second stage.

Important Note for Parents - OMR Sheet Guidance

For the Sutton 11 plus exam (Stage One), students must mark answers on a separate Optical Mark Reader (OMR) sheet. It is vital that your son uses an HB pencil and rubs out any errors completely, as stray marks can cause the computer to misread the answer.

Parent’s Top 4 Queries

Does the first stage score count towards the final ranking? 

Yes, admission is based on the aggregate score of both Stage One and Stage Two exams.

What is the difference between the two stages? 

Stage One is entirely Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), while Stage Two involves standard format questions requiring written answers.

What exam board does Wilson's School follow? 

Sutton SET (Stage One) and School Written (Stage Two)

How long is the 11+ Exam for Wilson's School? 

Stage One is approx 45 mins/paper; Stage Two varies.

Wilson school does not publish a fixed set exam pass mark prior to the assessment. The qualifying standard varies annually based on the cohort's performance in the eleven plus exam.

Score Determination

• Stage One Test: A specific standard is required to progress. The 2024 Selective Eligibility Test (SET) required a minimum score of 212 to pass and progress to Stage 2
• Stage Two Test: Final places are allocated based on the combined rank order.

While there is no static cutoff, achieving 95%+ in PiAcademy’s 11+ Practice Papers can help students secure competitive 11 plus exam results.

Wilson's School is widely considered the "Gold Standard" for boys' state education in Sutton and beyond. However, with over 2,500 applicants competing for just 186 places, the mathematics of admission is incredibly unforgiving. Even the brightest students need a robust backup plan.

I have advised parents in the Sutton catchment for over 18 years. I frequently see families focus exclusively on Wilson school, only to be disappointed by a narrow miss on the second stage writing paper. I always recommend a portfolio strategy: apply to 3 Grammar schools and 2 Private schools.

This balanced approach ensures your son secures a place in an elite academic environment, even if Wilson's isn't the final destination. It mitigates the risk of a "bad day" in the exam hall.

Top 5 Alternative Grammar and Independent Schools

When families target Wilson's School, they typically apply to the other "Sutton SET" schools for state options and the Whitgift Foundation schools for private backups. Here is how the top alternatives compare:

Why these schools are the top alternatives to Wilson's School

• Sutton Grammar & Wallington County (The SET Consortium): These schools are the most logical state alternatives. They utilize the same Selective Eligibility Test (SET) as Wilson school. By sitting one initial exam, your son qualifies for all three schools, significantly reducing exam fatigue.
• St Olave’s Grammar School: For parents prioritizing pure academic rigor, St Olave’s in Orpington is a peer to Wilson's. It consistently ranks in the top 5 nationally for A-Levels, making it a strong choice for high-achieving boys.
• Whitgift School: This independent school offers world-class facilities and a diverse curriculum, including the IB. It is an excellent backup for boys who are academically strong but also talented in sports or the arts.
• Trinity School, Croydon: Trinity offers a balanced, high-achieving environment with exceptional pastoral care. It is geographically convenient for families in the Sutton/Croydon catchment and offers generous bursaries for bright candidates.

According to the National School Census, competition remains fierce with approximately four boys competing for every place in recent years. Many families targeting Wilson school are rightly impressed by the high volume of applicants.

Source: National School Census.

Wilson's School remains consistently oversubscribed, notably reaching a 118% oversubscription rate in 2025.

How hard is it to get into Wilson's School?

Parents frequently ask, "Is Wilson's School hard to get into?" given the rigorous academic standards. However, with a solid, targeted strategy, success is entirely manageable.

As detailed in the Wilson's School Admissions Policy, preparation is key. You must focus on the Stage One Test and Stage Two Test components of the eleven plus exam.

Keep reading to uncover the Exam Format and preparation strategy you need to secure your son’s place.

​Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths topics

Wilson's School uses the Selective Eligibility Test (SET) for its initial screening stage. Our analysis of SET exam past papers reveals a distinct topic weighting in Stage One.

This breakdown clearly shows that Numbers and Geometry account for over half of the expected questions. Mastery of these 11+ maths topics is essential for success.

Try our topic-wise questions with more than 15,000+ Questions. This resource includes a complete 11 plus maths papers planner and worksheets.

Analysis of 11+ Exam English topics

Based on the Stage One analysis, Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary are critical areas. These topics appear frequently in the set exam question papers.

Which are the Best (11 plus) 11+ Practice Papers for Wilson's School - Stage One Test?

Our targeted practice papers are based on actual questions from top grammar schools. They help students familiarise themselves with the set exam practice question paper format.

We recommend the SET style bundles for Wilson's School Stage One preparation. These 11 plus practice papers include detailed step-wise solutions.

What are the 11+ Exam Maths topics covered in Stage Two Test?

Analysis of 11+ Exam Maths topics

Based on the analysis of Stage Two 11+ past papers, Problem Solving dominates the paper. Questions are standard format rather than multiple choice.

The exam often includes trickier questions like simultaneous equations. Advanced Algebra is a significant component of this 11 plus maths test.

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Analysis of 11+ Exam English topics

The Stage Two English analysis shows a balanced and demanding focus. Reading Comprehension requires open, analytical answers from the student.

The Writing Test demands extended creative structure and originality. Creative writing 11 plus skills are tested thoroughly here.

Which are the Best (11 plus) 11+ Practice Papers for Wilson's School - Stage Two Test?

Parents often ask us how to prepare for the rigorous second round. To match the open-ended style, we strongly advise using these specific resources.

These 11+ creative writing and maths resources ensure your son is ready. Detailed answers help refine techniques for the final exam.

Wilson's School is exceptionally competitive, making thorough preparation essential for securing a place. Sitting the Wilson's School 11 plus mock exam helps boys familiarise themselves with the intense exam format. These tests are crucial for identifying weak areas and improving speed under timed conditions.

To succeed at Wilson school, we recommend resources that mirror the challenging Sutton Selective Eligibility Test. Please see our suggested 11 plus mock tests below:

Parents can access our free 11 plus mock test to check their child's current progress. Booking an 11 plus mock test Sutton session ensures your son is ready for this rigorous assessment.

• Autumn Half Term 1: Wednesday 3 September 2025 to Friday 17 October 2025
• Autumn Half Term 2: Monday 3 November 2025 to Friday 19 December 2025
• Spring Half Term 1: Monday 5 January 2026 to Friday 13 February 2026
• Spring Half Term 2: Monday 23 February 2026 to Friday 27 March 2026
• Summer Half Term 1: Monday 13 April 2026 to Friday 22 May 2026
• Summer Half Term 2: Monday 1 June 2026 to Friday 10 July 2026

This information has been sourced from Get Information about Schools and Wilson's School Official Website.