Wilson's School 11+ Guide

About Wilson's School

Wilson's School is a selective secondary school in Sutton, London. For children to get into Wilson's School they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, Wilson's School is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Nestled in the vibrant London Borough of Sutton, Wilson's School stands as a beacon of academic excellence for boys. This selective grammar school has garnered a reputation for its exceptional performance, consistently ranking among the top institutions nationwide. With a steadfast commitment to nurturing intellectual growth and fostering a love for learning, Wilson's School sets the stage for its students to thrive.

At the core of Wilson's educational philosophy lies a meticulously crafted curriculum that emphasizes the importance of key disciplines such as mathematics, PSHE, computing, and science. By weaving these subjects into the fabric of the syllabus, the school encourages students to embrace intellectual challenges, building their academic confidence and resilience. This rigorous approach to education lays the foundation for future success, equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate an ever-changing world.

Beyond the classroom, Wilson's School offers a rich tapestry of co-curricular activities designed to cater to the diverse interests and passions of its students. From the art of debating and the intricacies of music theory to the strategic thinking of chess and the camaraderie of the Combined Cadet Force, the school provides a wealth of opportunities for personal growth and development. Whether it's on the badminton court or the football pitch, students are encouraged to explore their talents, forge lasting friendships, and cultivate a well-rounded perspective.

Wilson's School takes great pride in its outstanding music and football programmes, which serve as pillars of the school's commitment to the arts and athletics. Aspiring musicians benefit from free instrumental tuition, nurturing their creativity and honing their skills under the guidance of dedicated mentors. Meanwhile, football enthusiasts receive specialized training sessions, personalized action plans, and comprehensive performance analyses, enabling them to reach their full potential both on and off the field.

With an unwavering dedication to its motto, "Not for self, but for all," Wilson's School cultivates a strong sense of community and shared purpose among its students. By fostering an environment where every individual is valued and encouraged to contribute to the greater good, the school instills in its students the importance of empathy, collaboration, and leadership. Through this holistic approach to education, Wilson's School prepares its students not only for academic success but also for meaningful engagement with the world around them.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Wilson's School together with their admissions contact details.

Wilson's School is a boys only school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).

In total 1,298 pupils attend Wilson's School and it's led by the Head, Mr T R Lissimore.

Wilson's School Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Wilson's School for the 2022-23 academic year.

Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET) Information

In order to get into Wilson's School, children need to pass the Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET). This 11+ test is written by Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET) for use by the school's admissions process.

Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET) Subjects & Structure

The Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET) requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

• English
• Maths

The Sutton Selective Eligibility Test is a challenging assessment designed to evaluate the academic abilities of students seeking admission to selective schools in Sutton. The exam comprises two distinct papers, each focusing on essential subjects: English and Maths.

The English paper assesses students' proficiency in spelling and reading comprehension, with a total of four sections. The Maths paper covers a wide range of topics typically taught in Key Stage 2, including arithmetic, fractions, geometry, and data interpretation.

In the second stage of the exam, students face a more advanced English test in the form of an extended writing task, along with a standard Maths paper. These assessments aim to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the candidates' skills and potential, ensuring that the most deserving students are selected for admission to the prestigious schools in Sutton.

Other Schools using Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET)

As well as Wilson's School, several other schools also use Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET). These are:

• Nonsuch High School for Girls
• Sutton Grammar School
• Wallington County Grammar School
• Wallington High School for Girls

Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET) Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Wilson's School is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.

Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.

Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.

It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!

Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET) Pass Mark

The pass mark for the Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET) changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).

Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at Wilson's School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET) Key Dates for your Diary

Here are all the important dates for the Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET) tests (to get into Wilson's School) as well as other relevant dates.

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Wilson's School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Wilson's School was last inspected by Ofsted on 28/09/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 07/12/2022, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Ofsted Report Summary

Wilson's School was inspected by Ofsted on 28 September 2022 and received an Outstanding rating in all areas. The school demonstrated exceptional quality of education, with students consistently achieving high standards across the curriculum. The behaviour and attitudes of pupils were also deemed outstanding, creating a positive learning environment throughout the school.

The school's personal development provision was highly effective in supporting students' well-being and preparing them for future success. Leadership and management at Wilson's School were found to be outstanding, with a clear vision and effective strategies in place to drive continuous improvement.

The sixth form provision at Wilson's School was also rated as Outstanding, providing students with an excellent foundation for their future academic and professional pursuits. Overall, Wilson's School has demonstrated exceptional performance across all areas, setting a high standard for educational excellence.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Wilson's School per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.

GCSE Results Information (2022-23)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Unfortunately, Wilson's School has not made any of their 11+ past papers publicly available. However, you can use our 11+ practice papers to help your child prepare.

None available.