Wilson’s second stage and the 1:2:2 score
Wilson's weights SET, second-stage English and second-stage maths 1:2:2. Boys must pass each second-stage paper and the overall standard.
Read the ratio as five parts
Worked example Compare the contributions
Which counts more: the SET or one second-stage subject?
Answer: The SET is one fifth; each second-stage subject is two fifths.
The trap: A strong total does not make up for failing one second-stage paper.
What to practise next
- Weaker in English? Practise an explanation with evidence, then revise it.
- Weaker in maths? Find the first wrong step before a fresh problem.
The 2027-entry route, step by step
Wilson's School, September 2027 entry
- SET: Tue 15 Sep 2026. Only boys who meet Wilson's own SET pass mark are invited to its second stage: an English paper and a Maths paper.
- Second stage: Sat 3 Oct 2026. Boys' shared second stage for Sutton Grammar, Wallington County and Wilson's.
- To be eligible: Boys must pass the English paper, pass the Maths paper and meet the overall pass mark.
- How the rank is built: Rank order uses SET, second-stage English and second-stage Maths in the ratio 1 : 2 : 2, after an age adjustment.
- Apply: name the school on your home council's form by Sat 31 Oct 2026. Offers come on Mon 1 Mar 2027.
Offer order if more children qualify than there are places (186 places)
- Boys with an EHCP naming the school, if they are of selective ability
- Looked after and previously looked after boys
- Up to 14 places for boys eligible for income-linked free school meals
- Up to 9 sports aptitude places (football) above the benchmark
- Up to 9 music aptitude places above the benchmark
- Remaining places by rank order of the entrance tests
- Ties: Equal scores go first to boys living in the London Borough of Sutton, nearest first, then to boys living elsewhere, nearest first, then to a random ballot.
- Pupil premium: Up to 14 places for boys eligible for income-linked free school meals at the time of SET registration, with the free school meals box ticked on the SET registration form. If he passes the entrance tests, the school checks with his primary school.
- Also: Optional football and music aptitude tests on 10 October 2026, offered to boys invited to Wilson's second stage.
How the six SET schools combine the stages
| School | Places | Must pass | How the stages combine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sutton Grammar | 150 | Combined standard only; no separate second-stage pass mark | SET English 2 : SET Maths 2 : second-stage English 3 : second-stage Maths 3, plus an age allowance |
| Wallington County | 150 | Combined qualifying standard | Two fifths SET, three fifths second stage |
| Wilson's | 186 | English paper, Maths paper and the overall mark | SET 1 : English 2 : Maths 2, after an age adjustment |
| Nonsuch | 210 | Both NWSSEE papers | Re-standardised SET halved, plus second-stage English and Maths |
| Wallington Girls | 210 | Both NWSSEE papers | Half the SET mark, plus second-stage English and Maths |
| Greenshaw | 314 | Greenshaw's SET pass mark | SET rank only, for up to 60 ability places |
Practise second-stage maths
Four written problems, with worked steps.
Second-stage maths problems
Second-stage maths: four written problems
Write each final answer clearly, with units where the question uses them. Keep your working on paper so you can check it, then compare with the worked steps.
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Questions parents ask
When is the Wilson's second stage for 2027 entry?
Saturday 3 October 2026: written English and Maths, shared with Sutton Grammar and Wallington County. Only boys who met Wilson's SET pass mark are invited.
What does 1:2:2 mean for Wilson's?
The SET counts one fifth and each second-stage paper two fifths, after an age adjustment. Boys must pass both papers and the overall mark.
What was the Wilson's cut-off score?
Wilson's does not publish one.
When do we hear the Wilson's second-stage result?
By email in October 2026, before the 31 October council deadline.
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