Wilson’s School 11 plus is one of the best known options families discuss in Wallington, within the London Borough of Sutton, particularly if a daily routine near Beddington Park and the wider Sutton travel zone feels realistic. It is a selective boys grammar with a strongly academic feel, so the calmest approach is usually the one that keeps confidence steady and administration tidy from the outset.
Two points help most families feel less overwhelmed. First, the Sutton selective process is staged, so you are not expected to do everything at once. Second, Wilson’s is very clear that both the testing route and the Common Application Form matter equally, because completing one without the other does not count as a valid application.
A helpful early habit is building one clear shortlist page at home so the year does not become a blur of dates and rumours. This practical guide on your site keeps it grounded: how to choose a grammar school shortlist.
| Key detail | Information |
| Address | Mollison Drive, Wallington, SM6 9JW |
| School type | Selective state boys academy, ages 11 to 18 |
| Year 7 places | 186 published admissions number |
| Entry route | Sutton Selective Eligibility Test followed by Wilson’s second stage exam |
| Second stage format | English and maths papers, written (not multiple choice) |
| Aptitude places | 9 music priority places and 9 football priority places |
| Other priority | Places reserved for eligible free school meals applicants |
| Inspection | Ofsted overall outcome Outstanding (September 2022) |
| Admissions contact | admissions@wilsonsschool.sutton.sch.uk, 020 8773 2931 |
| Location |
The cleanest single page explaining the testing stages and what counts as a valid application is the school’s official Wilson’s admissions FAQs.
The easiest way to think about Wilson’s School admissions is as a sequence of small tasks that build on each other, with clear checkpoints where families can pause and reassess.
Registration for the Sutton Selective Eligibility Test is completed through the shared portal used by Sutton’s selective schools. The current registration page is available here: Selective Eligibility Test registration site.
For boys applying to Wilson’s, the first stage is the Selective Eligibility Test. The school confirms that this consists of two multiple choice papers, one English and one maths, and does not include verbal or non verbal reasoning.
Boys who meet the first stage standard for Wilson’s are invited to a shared second stage exam used by Wilson’s School, Sutton Grammar and Wallington County Grammar. Wilson’s confirms this second stage includes two written papers, English and maths, each lasting approximately 45 minutes to one hour.
Even after passing both exam stages, Wilson’s makes it clear that families must list the school on the Common Application Form in their genuine order of preference, or the application cannot be considered.
For Sutton residents, the Sutton secondary transfer booklet explains how the CAF works and sets out the full local timeline for September 2026 entry.
Wilson’s also states clearly that passing the exams does not guarantee a place, as the school is oversubscribed. Treating a pass as eligibility rather than a promise helps manage expectations calmly.
| Milestone | Date |
| Registration opens for Sutton test | 1 May 2025 |
| Access arrangements request deadline | 13 June 2025 |
| Registration closes | 1 August 2025 |
| Selective Eligibility Test | 16 September 2025 |
| Shared second stage exam | 4 October 2025 |
| Music and football aptitude tests | 11 October 2025 |
| CAF opens for Sutton residents | 1 September 2025 |
| CAF deadline | 31 October 2025 |
| National Offer Day | 2 March 2026 |
These dates are confirmed through the school’s admissions FAQs and the Sutton September 2026 secondary transfer booklet.
Wilson’s does not operate as a simple catchment school. Academic eligibility through testing comes first, after which places are allocated according to the admissions rules and rank order. Oversubscription can still apply after a pass.
A practical takeaway for families is to be realistic about travel. Long commutes can drain energy during Year 7, particularly in winter. One low stress way to test this is running a real journey at school start time using the TfL Journey Planner.
Wilson’s operates additional priority routes alongside the main rank order system, including places for eligible free school meals applicants and aptitude places for music and football. These routes still require passing the academic stages first.
Families who are not offered a place retain the right to appeal. The process and legal framework are explained clearly in the School admission appeals code.
Wilson’s Year 7 entry is driven by exam performance and rank order rather than a traditional interview process. Confidence work is still valuable, as pupils who can explain their thinking calmly tend to cope better under timed conditions.
The school explains that aptitude tests assess potential rather than polished training, and children do not need to have reached a specific music grade to perform well. For September 2026 entry, aptitude tests are scheduled for 11 October 2025.
A calm approach is to treat aptitude as an additional route rather than the whole plan, keeping English and maths preparation central.
Preparation works best when it feels like training rather than judgement. For Wilson’s, the key themes are accuracy under time, calm reading stamina, and confidence across two exam styles: multiple choice first, then written English and maths.
A manageable weekly structure helps maintain momentum, so this page is useful to keep close: Year 5 11 plus revision plan.
If you want a school specific plan, a free diagnostic session can benchmark your child’s current level and map next steps for Wilson’s without overload.
As a clear starting point, you can book a free 11 plus diagnostic session with Find Your Tutor FYT focused on Wilson’s School. It benchmarks your child’s level and provides a personalised preparation roadmap for the months ahead.
Join Hundreds of Families Who Secured Wilson’s School Places with Find Your Tutor.
The key first stage test date is 16 September 2025, followed by the shared second stage on 4 October 2025. It helps to plan for a calm routine in the two weeks before each test, with earlier nights and lighter extras. Many children do best when the final stretch focuses on review and confidence, not new learning.
Wilson’s confirms the first stage is two multiple choice papers, English and maths, and the second stage is written English and maths papers. Preparation should cover strong reading comprehension, clear writing, and secure Key Stage 2 maths methods. It also helps to practise switching between multiple choice technique and written method marks.
Yes, it is the first step for boys applying to Wilson’s through the Sutton route. Passing the first stage is what triggers an invitation to the second stage for Wilson’s. Keeping registration and access arrangements organised early prevents last minute stress.
Yes, Wilson’s says candidates must reach a pass standard in both English and maths in the second stage. That is why balanced preparation matters, even if your child has a favourite subject. A weak paper can block eligibility even with a strong overall score.
No, Wilson’s states the second stage papers are not multiple choice. That changes the preparation style because method marks and written clarity matter. It is worth practising showing working in maths and writing structured answers in English.
Wilson’s says the aggregate uses the ratio 1 to 2 to 2 for SET, English, and maths. In simple terms, the second stage carries significant weight, so the plan should not peak too early. A steady rise through Year 6 usually works best.
Wilson’s states the music and football aptitude tests for September 2026 entry are on 11 October 2025. They are described as tests of potential, not polished training. They can open an additional priority route, but the academic stages still matter.
Yes, Wilson’s explains that the music aptitude test does not require formal training or a certain grade level. The key is to approach it calmly and treat it as an extra option. Academic preparation should still stay central.
The published admissions number is 186. Places are then allocated through the admissions rules once children are eligible. This is why passing alone is not a guarantee in an oversubscribed year.
Wilson’s says outcomes are emailed before the October half term break, which is helpful because it comes before the CAF deadline. That timing lets families choose preferences based on eligibility information. Keeping an open mind about backup schools reduces pressure.
Wilson’s explains that oversubscription can still apply even after a pass. Your child may be placed on waiting lists depending on eligibility categories and rank order. This is why it is wise to include a balanced set of schools on the CAF.
Travel time affects sleep, clubs, and stress levels far more than most families expect. Doing a practice commute at school start time makes the decision clearer. A shorter commute can protect confidence in Year 7 when homework and clubs increase.
Year 4 is ideal for habits, Year 5 for structure, Year 6 for exam readiness and calm timing. The aim is not to cram early. The aim is to build skills so timed work feels normal.
No, but structured support can help some children. The best choice is the one that keeps confidence steady and progress clear. A simple routine with regular review is often enough for children who are already motivated.
Yes, seeing the school and imagining the daily rhythm often reduces anxiety. It also helps children feel the school is a real place, not a scary idea. That mental picture can make exam days feel less intense.
