Nonsuch High School for Girls: Comprehensive 11+ Admissions Guide

Key Information Summary

• School: Nonsuch High School for Girls
• Location: Ewell Road, Cheam, Sutton, Surrey SM3 8AB
• Type: Selective all-girls grammar school with academy status
• Age Range: 11-18 years
• Established: 1938
• Current Roll: Approximately 1,522 students
• Headteacher: Ms Alexis Williamson-Jones
• Ofsted Rating: Good (2021)
• Specialisms: Science and Languages College
• Annual Intake: 80 places via 11+ examination

About Nonsuch High School for Girls

Nonsuch High School for Girls occupies a distinctive position amongst Surrey's most academically successful grammar schools. Set within a magnificent 22-acre campus adjacent to the historic Nonsuch Park, the school has cultivated an environment where academic excellence flourishes alongside personal development since 1938.

The school's commitment to educational excellence is exemplified by its remarkable 2023 achievement: 100% of students attained grade 5 or above in both English and Mathematics GCSEs, positioning Nonsuch amongst the highest-performing state schools nationally. This outstanding academic performance reflects the school's rigorous approach to learning and its dedication to maximising each student's potential.

As a specialist Science and Languages College, Nonsuch offers an enriched curriculum that extends far beyond traditional academic boundaries. The school's ethos centres on developing perceptive and caring global citizens, combining intellectual rigour with strong community values. Students are encouraged to engage in leadership opportunities, creative pursuits, and community service, fostering the well-rounded development that characterises a Nonsuch education.

The school's location provides unique advantages, with the adjoining Nonsuch Park offering exceptional outdoor learning opportunities and recreational facilities that enhance the educational experience.

The 11+ Assessment Process

Entry to Nonsuch High School for Girls is highly competitive, with approximately 80 places available each year through the 11+ entrance examination. The assessment process is designed to identify students with the academic potential to thrive in a demanding grammar school environment.

Examination Structure

The 11+ assessment comprises two core papers:

• Mathematics: Focus on problem-solving abilities, numerical reasoning, and mathematical concepts appropriate to Year 6 level
• English: Emphasis on reading comprehension, writing skills, and language understanding

Both papers are designed to assess reasoning skills and academic potential rather than specific curriculum knowledge, ensuring fairness across different primary school backgrounds.

Assessment Criteria

The examination evaluates candidates' abilities in critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and academic aptitude. Recent pass marks have been set around 202 points, though this threshold may vary annually based on cohort performance and available places.

Students receive adequate break time between papers to ensure optimal performance throughout the assessment process.

How to Apply

The application process for Year 7 entry follows a structured timeline that families should carefully observe:

Registration Process

September: Registration opens for the 11+ entrance examination. Parents must complete registration forms and submit required documentation within specified deadlines.

Test Date: The entrance examination typically takes place in September, with specific dates announced well in advance.

Assessment Day

On examination day, candidates sit both Mathematics and English papers with appropriate supervision and break periods. The school ensures a supportive environment to help students perform to their best ability.

Results and Offers

October: Results are released to families, with offers made to the highest-scoring candidates.

Catchment Priority: Students living within the defined 5.25km catchment area receive priority consideration, with places allocated according to examination scores within this geographical boundary.

Acceptance Process

Successful candidates receive formal offers that must be accepted within specified timeframes to secure their place for the following September.

Preparing for the Nonsuch High School for Girls 11+ with Taylor Tuition

The Nonsuch High School for Girls 11+ rewards steady preparation over a year or so, with the last term given to timed practice and interview confidence. Having prepared pupils for entry to leading independent and grammar schools, with placements including Westminster, St Paul's, Wycombe Abbey and Eton, our tutors match the programme to the school's assessment format and to where the child is starting from.

Because the pool includes former heads of department, exam-board examiners and teachers from independent and boarding schools, and more than half of our tutors hold Qualified Teacher Status, families get a tutor who understands what the assessors are looking for. Every tutor who works with children holds an enhanced DBS check.

Families work with us online from anywhere in the UK or abroad, and in person in central London. Fees start from £50 per 50-minute session and depend on tutor level and subject, with no registration fee and a free initial consultation to talk through your child's current level and the timeline to the 11+. Families receive progress reports after sessions and have a dedicated point of contact, and we reply to enquiries within one working day with tutor recommendations.

Read more about our 11+ entrance exam tutors, or send an enquiry and we will come back with tutor recommendations.