Nonsuch High School is an all-girls' grammar school with an academy status, located in Cheam, in the borough of Epsom and Ewell in Surrey, England, on the border of the London Borough of Sutton, and standing in of grounds on the edge of Nonsuch Park. The school is a specialist science college and languages school. In 2023, 100% of its students received a grade of 5 or above in their English and maths GCSEs, making it among the top 16 state schools.
History The school was founded in 1938.
Awards The school has won various awards such as Beacon status, Sportsmark Award, Schools Achievement Award and Education Extra - Distinction. It also gained specialist science college status in July 2004 and then language school status. This means extra funding was provided. Every year, along with St Philomena's Catholic High School for Girls, Nonsuch provides the ball girls for the Queen's Club Championships as well as providing ballgirls for the ATP tournament.Ofsted inspection number 268864 accessed 6 August 2007 The school was awarded academy status on 1 June 2011.
Selection As Nonsuch is a grammar school, girls are required to take the 11+ exam to gain entry into year 7, which used to be a shared selection test with Wallington High School for Girls, but was made separate in 2009, and then in 2016 they were recombined.Supplementary forms for Sutton Secondary Schools on the London Borough of Sutton website accessed 7 August 2007 However, there are sometimes additional places in other year groups, and these are allocated based on tests in English, Mathematics and Science.Admission into Years 8, 9 and 10 at Nonsuch accessed 7 August 2007 There is another intake for the sixth form, which is based on GCSE results. An average points score of 6 in the best 8 GCSEs and a grade 6 or above in GCSE Mathematics and English Language or Literature is needed for this.Nonsuch High School for Girls Admission Policy accessed 19 October 2013
The Nonsuch catchment area is defined by a circle with a radius of 5.25 km from the front door of the school.
80 places are awarded each year to those with the highest scores in the Entrance Test, whether they live inside or outside the catchment area.
Those who pass the test and live within the circle on the cut-off date as defined by the Pan-London Co-ordinated Admissions System are ranked according to the score they achieve. Places are initially allocated according to the ranked order. If however, two or more girls have the same score and fewer places are available, the place or places will be offered to the girl or girls who live nearer to the school.
The Year 7 selection test consists of two papers, Maths and English, with a short break between them. The pass mark for admission to Year 7 in 2010 was 202.Entry to Nonsuch in Year 7 accessed 7 August 2007
Astronomy The school has an observatory on the roof where the astronomy society frequently meets. The school has two teachers for this GCSE. In 2008 all 5 students achieved either an A or A* grade.
Notable former pupils
Joanna Rowsell Shand, Olympic cycling champion (2000–2007) Elizabeth Kay, author of books such as: The Divide trilogy (1960–67) Katie Melua, singer-songwriter Melanie South, tennis player This is Local London article from 28 June 2007 accessed 6 August 2007 Susan Lalic (née Walker), British Ladies chess champion. Christina Lamb, war correspondent, author of seven books including The Africa House and co-author of I Am Malala. Carrie Quinlan, British actress, comedy writer and journalist. Suzannah Lipscomb, British historian and television presenter. Lolly Adefope, comedian and actor Kat Sadler, comedy writer and actor Talia Mar, singer-songwriter, internet personality Vivien Saunders, Professional Golfer
References
External links The Nonsuch website Nonsuch Managed Learning Environment