Nonsuch High School for Girls 11 plus is often on shortlists for families who want a high performing girls grammar school in Cheam, in the London Borough of Sutton, with Nonsuch Park right nearby. The school day is only part of the decision. The travel routine, the pace of homework, and how your child feels in a selective environment all matter just as much.
Most families feel calmer once two things are clear. First, Nonsuch High School for Girls admissions is a staged process, so you are not trying to do everything at once. Second, the early work is mostly habits, not hard revision. Strong reading, steady maths accuracy, and a bit of timed practice later on will take you a long way.
A helpful first step is to put your dates and tasks in one place so nothing creeps up during Year 6. This simple guide on your site makes that planning easier: grammar school admissions timeline. Some families also run an independent school application UK plan alongside Sutton testing, so one combined checklist can be reassuring.
| Key detail | Information |
| Address | Ewell Road, Cheam, SM3 8AB |
| School type | Girls grammar school, ages 11 to 18 |
| Places in Year 7 | 210 |
| Test route | SET followed by second stage English and maths |
| Test dates | SET: 16 September 2025 Second stage: 27 September 2025 |
| Catchment circle | 5.25 km from the school front door |
| Admissions contact | office@nonsuchschool.org | 020 8394 3400 |
| Location |
For a clean, official overview of Nonsuch High School for Girls admissions, including test dates, places, and how the catchment circle is applied, the Sutton secondary transfer guide for 2026 entry is the easiest cross check.
The easiest way to think about Nonsuch High School for Girls admissions is as a sequence of small steps that build confidence and keep admin tidy.
Entry starts with the Selective Eligibility Test, usually called the SET. Registration closes on 1 August 2025, and it is worth completing early so nothing gets missed during the summer break.
The SET takes place on Tuesday 16 September 2025. This stage determines whether your child is considered of selective ability for the Sutton grammar school routes.
Girls who meet the selective standard are invited to the second stage exam, sometimes referred to as the NWSSEE, on Saturday 27 September 2025. This stage carries the most weight for ranking and offers.
The CAF deadline is 31 October 2025. Passing the tests does not automatically generate an offer. Nonsuch High School for Girls must be listed on the CAF for a place to be considered.
National offer day is 2 March 2026. Waiting lists then move as offers are accepted or declined, so organisation and patience both help during this period.
A helpful mindset shift is to treat the year as training. Progress comes from steady routines, not from turning every week into an exam.
| Milestone | Date |
| SET registration closes | 1 August 2025 |
| SET test day | 16 September 2025 |
| Second stage test day | 27 September 2025 |
| CAF deadline | 31 October 2025 |
| National offer day | 2 March 2026 |
Families often ask when the Nonsuch High School for Girls 11 plus exam is held. In practice, there are two key test dates: the SET and the second stage papers, so planning around both helps reduce pressure.
A number of places are offered purely by ranked score, regardless of address. This is why performance on the day remains important even for families living close to the school.
Places are reserved for children in receipt of Pupil Premium who meet the required standard, with allocation still based on ranked scores.
A large share of places are allocated within a 5.25 km catchment circle. Higher scores are still prioritised within that circle, rather than distance alone.
When scores are tied at the final place, distance from the school becomes the deciding factor. This makes it sensible to keep expectations realistic if you live outside the circle.
Appeals are a separate process and can feel daunting at first. A calm approach focuses on evidence and suitability rather than emotion. The clearest parent friendly explanation is set out in the IPSEA school appeals guidance.
The second stage consists solely of English and maths. There is no verbal reasoning or non verbal reasoning at this stage.
Unlike the SET, the second stage is not mainly multiple choice. Children are expected to show working in maths and write clearly in English.
The biggest gains tend to come from accuracy, calm timing, and learning how to recover when a question feels unfamiliar.
A clear explanation of the format is set out in the NWSSEE information for families, which helps set expectations without overcomplicating preparation.
Running a trial journey using the TfL Journey Planner can make the daily routine feel more concrete before final decisions are made.
Preparation works best when it feels like skill building rather than pressure. For Nonsuch, readiness for both the initial selective screening and the later written second stage is key.
A written routine helps consistency, and this guide is useful to keep on hand: Year 5 revision plan.
As a clear starting point, you can book a free 11 plus diagnostic session with Find Your Tutor FYT focused on Nonsuch High School for Girls. It benchmarks your child’s current level and provides a personalised preparation roadmap for the months ahead.
Join Hundreds of Families Who Secured Nonsuch High School for Girls Places with Find Your Tutor.
There are two key test days, with the SET on 16 September 2025 and the second stage papers on 27 September 2025. The second stage date is especially important for planning. Build routines so your child peaks in early autumn. Keep the final week calm and practical
It is English and maths across the Sutton testing stages. The early stage screens for selective ability. The later stage is written English and written maths. Preparation should cover accuracy, comprehension, and clear working.
It starts with registering for the SET, then sitting the SET, then sitting the second stage if eligible. After that, you must still name the school on your CAF. Offers follow national offer day rules. Keeping a checklist at home reduces stress.
Yes, Year 7 entry is for girls. That means your preparation can focus on the girls testing route. Keep your school visits and choices centred on your child’s confidence and daily routine.
The published admissions number is 210 places. The school receives more applicants than places. That is why passing the test does not guarantee an offer. Ranked scores and criteria then decide offers.
No, not by itself. Scores still matter, even within the catchment circle. Distance is mainly used as a tie break in specific situations. It is best to plan with realistic expectations.
The school uses a catchment circle of 5.25 km from the front door. A set number of places are linked to that circle and then offered by ranked score. Living outside the circle does not always rule you out, but it can make it harder. Treat catchment as one factor, not the only one.
It is competitive because many children sit the tests and places are limited. A calm way to think about it is that your child needs both ability and a strong day performance. What matters most is steady progress, not panic revision. Keeping confidence steady helps performance.
Yes, the SET is the first gate for Sutton grammar routes. Without it, your child cannot move to the second stage for Nonsuch. Register early and keep confirmation details safe. That small admin step matters.
Yes, applications are not limited only to Sutton residents. Your home address affects how some places are allocated, especially catchment linked places. Still, some places are offered by score regardless of address. It is worth applying if the school suits your child.
Focus on reading comprehension skills, vocabulary in context, and clear writing under time. Strong answers use evidence and explain it simply. Writing should be structured and punctuated accurately. Practising proofreading is often an easy win.
Focus on accuracy first, then timing. Fractions, percentage, ratio, algebra basics, and word problems matter. Showing working clearly is important for written papers. A calm checking habit reduces avoidable errors.
The process is exam based rather than interview based. That can feel fairer for some children because the expectations are clearer. Confidence still matters because test nerves can affect timing. Simple practice under timed conditions helps.
Timing, stamina, and smart review. Children often improve more from understanding mistakes than from doing endless extra papers. Protect sleep and routine because tired children make more slips. Keep the tone calm at home.
Waiting lists can move after March as families accept or decline places. Appeals are also an option in some situations. The best next step is to read your outcome carefully and stay organised. Try not to make quick emotional decisions in the first 48 hours.
