Southend High School for Boys 11+

How to get into Southend High School for Boys

Southend High School for Boys is a selective secondary school in Essex. To get into Southend High School for Boys children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into Southend High School for Boys with all the important information you need to know.

Admission Requirements

The deadline to register for the CSSE 11 plus exam is 27th June 2025. The exam will take place on Saturday 20th September 2025 and you'll receive your child's results in mid-October. Of the 180 places available in Year 7 at Southend High School for Boys, 150 are reserved for children who pass the CSSE exam and primarily live within the school's priority area. ^[1]

This covers the postcode areas SS0, SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5, SS6, SS7, SS8 and SS9. This will be available on your home council website from early September and must be submitted by 31st October. (see key dates) The school uses the CSSE 11+ examination for admissions testing.

• Children must be in Year 5 during the 2024-25 academic year for September 2025 entry
• Complete the CSSE Supplementary Information Form (SIF) by 27th June 2025 (see key dates)
• Submit the Common Application Form (CAF) through the local authority by 31st October 2025 (see key dates)
• Pass the 11+ examination on Saturday 20th September 2025 (see key dates)
• Contact details available in the school information section

Application Process

To apply, you'll need to name the school as one of your preferred schools on the secondary school common application form. This will be available on your home council website from early September and must be submitted by 31st October. Families must complete two separate applications for admission to Southend High School for Boys.

The deadline to register for the CSSE 11 plus exam is 27th June 2025. Applications require careful attention to deadlines and specific forms. Special adjustment requests must be submitted by the same deadline as registration.

• Step 1: Register for the CSSE 11+ examination online at www.csse.org.uk by 27th June 2025 (see key dates)
• Step 2: Complete the CSSE Supplementary Information Form (SIF) including any special adjustment requests
• Step 3: Submit the Common Application Form (CAF) through the home local authority by 31st October 2025 (see key dates)
• Step 4: Attend the examination on Saturday 20th September 2025 (see key dates)
• Step 5: Receive results in mid-October 2025 (see key dates)
• Step 6: National Offer Day on 3rd March 2026 (see key dates)
• For special adjustment requests, contact details available in the school information section

Examination Format and Requirements

The CSSE 11 plus exam consists of two papers. Each paper lasts around one hour. The Southend High School for Boys 11+ assessment consists of two tests: English – covering comprehension and creative writing; Mathematics – focusing on topics from the KS2 National Curriculum. The test scores are age-standardised to ensure that older pupils don't have an unfair advantage.

The English paper will last sixty minutes with ten minutes additional reading time. The Mathematics paper will last sixty minutes. Each of the two CSSE papers are worth up to 60 marks (120 in total). Your child's final marks will be standardised and weighted.

• English Paper:70 minutes total including comprehension, creative writing, and vocabulary assessment
• Mathematics Paper:60 minutes covering Key Stage 2 curriculum topics and problem-solving
• Non-multiple choice format: Students write full answers for most questions
• Age standardisation: Scores adjusted to ensure fairness across age groups
• Total marks:120 marks across both papers combined
• No non-verbal reasoning component in the examination
• For examination guidance, contact details available in the school information section

Admission Criteria and Places

Of the 180 places available in Year 7 at Southend High School for Boys, 150 are reserved for children who pass the CSSE exam and primarily live within the school's priority area. In 2023, a total standardised score of 303 was the lowest score for which boys who live within the priority area were offered a place at Southend High School for Boys. A score of 342 was the lowest score for which boys who live outside the priority area were offered a place at the school.

If there are fewer than 150 children from the priority area who have scored the pass mark or higher, then more places will be available for children who live outside of the priority area. 10% of places (15 within the priority area, and 3 outside the priority area) are reserved for children who exceed the pass mark and are 'looked after' or 'previously looked after' children, or children entitled to Free School Meals.

• Total places:180 places available for Year 7 entry annually
• Priority area places:150 places reserved for residents of postcodes SS0-SS9
• Non-priority area places:30 places available for residents outside the priority area
• Special consideration:10% of total places reserved for looked after children and those eligible for Free School Meals
• Qualifying scores vary yearly based on candidate performance and competition
• Higher scores required for applicants living outside the priority postcode areas
• For specific admissions criteria, contact details available in the school information section

Preparation Guidance

One of the most effective ways for students to prepare for the CSSE 11 Plus exam is to work from a study schedule that outlines what topics need to be covered and when. At Exam Papers Plus, we also recommend that parents introduce practice tests into their child's study routine to improve their exam technique. Families should begin preparation at least 12 months before the examination date.

One general tip for helping your child to prepare for the CSSE 11+ assessment is to start preparing as soon as possible. A little-and-often approach to preparing for this important exam can work wonders; for instance, you can use manageable daily questions tasks to help your child become acclimated to a wide variety of 11+ questions across both papers. Consistent practice with 11+ practice papers proves essential for exam success.

• Start preparation in Year 4: Begin foundational work 18-24 months before the examination
• Create a study schedule: Plan topics systematically across both English and Mathematics
• Daily practice routine: Establish 30-45 minutes of focused preparation each day
• Use practice papers: Access resources through practice papers section
• Consider professional support: Explore options through tutoring guidance
• Focus on Key Stage 2 curriculum: Ensure solid foundation in core English and Mathematics topics
• For preparation advice, contact details available in the school information section

Exam Day Preparation and Practical Advice

July 2025: parents receive test centre information by 16th July (see key dates) Families receive detailed examination information including venue details and specific instructions several weeks before the test date. Proper preparation for examination day helps reduce stress and maximise performance.

They will provide your son with the opportunity to become familiar with the format and question types that he will encounter in the actual exam. Our practice papers are used successfully every year by hundreds of thousands of students targeting schools with a competitive entrance exam. Regular practice under timed conditions builds confidence and examination technique.

CSSE 11+ Information

In order to get into Southend High School for Boys, children need to pass the CSSE 11+. This 11+ test is written by CSSE for use by the school's admissions process.

CSSE 11+ Subjects & Structure

The CSSE 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

• English
• Maths

The CSSE 11 plus exam, required for entry into Southend High School for Boys, is a rigorous assessment of a student's academic abilities. The exam is divided into two separate papers, each lasting approximately one hour.

The English paper evaluates the candidate's reading comprehension skills and creative writing prowess. Students must demonstrate a strong understanding of the given texts and showcase their ability to craft well-structured, imaginative responses.

The Maths paper assesses the student's proficiency in mathematical concepts and problem-solving skills. The questions are based on the Key Stage 2 maths curriculum, ensuring that candidates have a solid foundation in essential mathematical principles.

Other Schools using CSSE 11+

As well as Southend High School for Boys, several other schools also use CSSE 11+. These are:

• Colchester County High School for Girls
• Colchester Royal Grammar School
• King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
• Southend High School for Girls
• Westcliff High School for Boys Academy
• Westcliff High School for Girls

CSSE 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Southend High School for Boys is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.

Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.

Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.

It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!

CSSE 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the CSSE 11+ changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).

Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at Southend High School for Boys, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Key Dates for the Southend High School for Boys 11+ Entrance Tests

Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into Southend High School for Boys) as well as other relevant dates.

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Southend High School for Boys as they may well change.

11+ Tutor for Southend High School for Boys

As the CSSE 11+ entrance process is particularly gruelling, we would highly recommend using an 11+ private tutor.

Why use a private 11+ tutor?

Personal tutors have the experience and expertise to help children pass their 11+ exams. They know the requirements of the CSSE 11+ tests inside-out and can provide tailored support to give children the best possible chance of success. It's also important to bear in mind that plenty of other children will be using private tutors too.

11+ tutors don't need to be face-to-face, plenty of children use online 11+ tutors.

11+ tutors can also provide regular progress reports and feedback, helping parents to monitor their child's progress and make any necessary adjustments to their preparation.

Most importantly, using an 11+ tutor helps ensure that the preparation work gets done!

Private 11+ Tutors for the Southend High School for Boys 11+ Tests

We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the Southend High School for Boys 11+ entrance tests. Please click here to be put in touch with a range of excellent 11+ private tutors from our friends at exams.courses.

11+ Past Papers for Southend High School for Boys

Unfortunately, Southend High School for Boys has not made any of their 11+ past papers publicly available. However, you can use However, you can use 11+ practice papers from other exam boards (such as GL Assessment, CEM and CSSE) to help your child prepare.

11+ Practice Papers for Southend High School for Boys

School Information

Below you will find further information about Southend High School for Boys together with their admissions contact details.

Southend High School for Boys is a boys only school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).

In total 1,317 pupils attend Southend High School for Boys and it's led by the Headteacher, Dr Robin Bevan.

Southend High School for Boys Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

Ofsted Information

Southend High School for Boys was last inspected by Ofsted on 09/12/2014 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 12/01/2015, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Southend High School for Boys for the 2022-23 academic year.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Southend High School for Boys per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.

GCSE Results Information (2022-23)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)