Sutton grammar schools

[postmanpatP]

Does anybody know what percentage is usually needed to pass the selective entrance test for Sutton Grammar, please ? I am sure it varies from one year to the other, but is 80 or 85% usually enough ?

I understand that the fire alarm went off just before the test at one school. Good luck - at least there isn't that long to wait for these results.

My DS sat the test at Greenshaw. Am I right in thinking we will get an email a week tomorrow?

That is what the schools have said, though last year the results email came out a day earlier.

Thanks Ladymuck! I don't know how I feel about it all.

Take a break for a couple of days until after the weekend, and then start again for the next round. At least with writing and maths you are sure to be practising skills that are useful for the rest of year 6 and beyond. I have found that wine helps too, though not for the dc of course.

The fire alarm went off at Wilson's after about 20 or so boys had gone in. They were taken out and because their emails had been checked already, they were then taken back in through a different entrance. It was handled well and was only about a five minute wait before everyone started going in again.

So lucky that DS passed ! I am rather worried that , for some reason, he seems to think that being invited to the second stage test at Sutton Grammar means that he will be put on a waiting list if he is not offered a place. Am I right in thinking that depending on the second stage results for SGS, there are 3 possible outcomes : a pass (with no guarantee of a place at the end of it) or second best outcome is being put on a waiting list or sadly 3rd possibility ... a fail...?
Very grateful for all answers.

Yes, your three outcomes are correct though if I recall correctly you don't hear anything until after National Offers Day (whereas if you fail Wilsons or WCGS you will know by half term).

I have heard reports that some have failed SET but are eligible for Greenshaw.Can someone explain this?

Greenshaw is an oversubscribed comprehensive with an annual intake of around 250 children, 60 of which get in under ability places. A lower passrate is allowed for these places than for the grammars, though in the end places will be offered based on rank order. The catchment for Greenshaw is relatively small, so some people sit the SET if they think they would otherwise be borderline, but Greenshaw isn't a selective school as such. The ability places will still go on ranked order unless there is a tie with distance being the tie-breaker.

Thanks LM

DC passed the SET2015 & the email info states that 4378 children sat the test this year. 1850 (approx. half girls & half boys) invited back. If half of those children taking the 2nd test are girls, does it mean that the number of competitors/place will be approx. 2.3? (Number of places available for 2015 @ each boys school 135+120+150=405). Wondering how many boys are sitting the 2nd test for more than one school place.

I thought that Wilson's had expanded to 180 so 435 places in total. Boys sitting Tiffin and St Olaves will often sit at least one of the Sutton Grammars as backup.

A far number of those who have passed SET are out of catchment for the schools they could be eligible for. DD got through but would only be eligible for an OOC place. DD will only sit Nonsuch as journey to Wallington is tricky from Merton. Plus we'll probably go private if she gets Putney or JAGS.

So the ratio is probably better than you think if you are in catchment as not all stage 2 DC are competiting for all places.

Also both girls schools take 210 so that's a total of 410 places - about the same as the boys total.
I think as Wallington Girls and Nonsuch are on different sides of the borough, the number of girls going for both is less than the number of boys who may be doubling up for Wallington and Wilsons for example.

i know of 3 who took these exams, and passed, as practice for Tiffin. They are out of catchment and won't be applying. I am sure they are not alone!

I don't mean to go off- topic OP, just wanted to check something. I may be misunderstanding, but as far as I could understand, the admissions criteria for Wilson's/ WCGS don't have a catchment, they just measure who lives closer if there are, for example, 2 boys with the same test score for a place?

That's correct. And there are places for top scorers at the other 2 schools too (Nonsuch Wally Girls and Sutton), but there are also places reserved for the top in catchment scorers, so the cut off marks for each group at these schools will be different.

Thanks Ladymuck, appreciate that.

I am a bit confused... got email Friday about DC passing SGS Eligibility Test. Out of the blue, today email received from Wilson inviting him for the second test too on Monday! such a short notice! Anybody in the same situation?

All boys who passed the SET will be invited to sit exams at all 3 boys schools - Wilson's WCGS and SGS. You don't have to sit all three, some will only sit 1 or 2 depending on where they live (no point in applying for a school that you can't get to).

I 'm more surprised that you're surprised. Which school were you aiming for?

I'm also surprised about your surprise. The information is clear on all the Sutton grammar school websites. This is the second year that the boys' grammars in Sutton have had a joint Selective Eligibility Test. The exam dates have been available for a year. It really isn't short notice.

Am I alone in being slightly frustrated by the fact that these tests are being used by some as practice for other school entrance exams, when there are hundreds of others who actually want Wally and Nonsuch? And even if they pass, will be on tenterhooks until March because of the high volume of quality candidates.

Given that they are now 2 rounds of tests, are they really being used as mocks? Or as a back up? I think there is an important difference!

PhewWhatADay what do you mean by
other school entrance exams

as for even if they pass, will be on tenterhooks - this applies to every single child who has applied for Grammar school place in England