Shoeburyness High School 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: CSSE
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Mixed Boys and Girls
Places per year: 270
Competition: High
Ofsted Rating: Good
Shoeburyness High School
Shoeburyness High School is a mixed secondary school and sixth form in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. As part of the Southend East Community Academy Trust (SECAT), it is recognised for its inclusive environment and focus on helping every student achieve their best.
Although Shoeburyness High is not a fully selective grammar school, a small number of places are available each year through the CSSE 11 Plus exam. This allows high-achieving pupils to join via a selective stream while still benefiting from the school’s comprehensive education.
The school offers a well-rounded curriculum that supports both academic excellence and personal growth. Students can also enjoy a wide variety of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, and leadership programmes.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Shoeburyness High School
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Shoeburyness High School
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Shoeburyness High School
Preparing for the 11 Plus
Help your child prepare with tips, exam papers, and featured tuition agencies
Key Dates
All key dates and application information for Shoeburyness High School
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Shoeburyness High School
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Shoeburyness High School
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Shoeburyness High School Key Information
Under this section we list key information useful to students and their parents about Shoeburyness, including addresses, contact details and more.
School Address
Full Address:
Shoeburyness High School, Caulfield Road, ShoeburynessSouthend-on-Sea
Essex
SS3 9LL
Contact Information
Parking in the school
There is parking on site at Shoeburyness High School, but use of public transport or walking is advised. Where driving is necessary, please use the alternative parking listed below. All are within a 30 minute walk.
Additional parking off site
- Shoebury Common North Parking, 17 Waterford Road, Southend-on-Sea SS3 9HG (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
- Thorpe Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea SS1 3NW (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
Shoeburyness High School Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Rated Good across all areas, with strong leadership and a caring ethos that ensures pupils feel safe, supported, and motivated to succeed.
Academic strength: The school delivers a broad and ambitious curriculum that has been recently improved to raise standards. Pupils are now achieving higher-quality work and showing stronger progress across subjects.
Teaching and curriculum:Teaching is effective and continually improving. Most lessons are well planned, with clear checks on learning and tailored support for pupils, including those with special educational needs.
Behaviour and culture: Behaviour is generally good, and pupils show respect and maturity, particularly in the sixth form. The school actively promotes tolerance, inclusion, and personal growth through a wide range of activities.
Leadership and safeguarding: Leadership is proactive and focused on continual improvement. Staff feel supported, safeguarding systems are robust, and pupils know how to access help when needed.
The CSSE 11+ Entrance Test Format
Shoeburyness High School is a member of the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE) and offers a small number of selective Year 7 places based on 11 Plus exam results.
The CSSE 11+ Entrance Test: Overview
The CSSE 11 Plus Exam consists of two papers. Each paper is marked out of 60 and age-standardised. There is no consistent pass mark published by the school, but successful applicants typically achieve a standardised score of around 303-350, depending on the year.
Paper One
English: Tests reading comprehension and continuous writing skills.
Paper Two
Mathematics: Assesses arithmetic and reasoning based on the Key Stage 2 curriculum.
The CSSE 11+ Entrance Test - 11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| Verbal Reasoning | Non-verbal Reasoning | English (some verbal reasoning is included) | Maths | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
Although Shoeburyness High School does not set a fixed pass mark, pupils must achieve a high overall score to be considered for one of the limited selective places.
Catchment Area
Shoeburyness High School gives priority to applicants living within its local catchment area when allocating selective places. However, pupils from outside the area may still gain admission if they achieve a sufficiently high score in the CSSE 11 Plus exam.
Additional Eligibility
Shoeburyness High follows the standard CSSE admissions criteria for its selective stream. Places are offered to pupils who achieve strong 11 Plus results, with priority typically given to:
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Looked-after and previously looked-after children meeting the required score
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Pupils eligible for Pupil Premium who achieve the required standard
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Applicants living within the school’s priority area
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Other applicants ranked in descending order of test score
Only a limited number of places are available through the selective route, with most admissions made through the school’s comprehensive entry process.
Click here to view the full Shoeburyness High School admissions policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Shoeburyness High School
Because Shoeburyness High School uses the CSSE 11 Plus exam, the same preparation strategies used for other Essex grammar schools apply:
Useful Tips
Start Early
Begin preparation in Year 4 or the start of Year 5. This allows plenty of time for steady progress without creating too much pressure.
Use Exam Papers
Work through timed exam papers together to build familiarity with the question style and develop exam technique.
Target Weak Areas
Keep track of their performance and focus extra time on any topics or question types they find more difficult.
Encourage Daily Reading
A regular reading habit helps expand vocabulary, improve comprehension and boost analytical thinking – all vital for the 11 Plus.
Make Use of Online Resources
Digital learning tools can provide personalised practice and clear feedback to make study time more effective and engaging.
Best Chance of Success
Keeping preparation steady, organised and encouraging will help your child feel confident and well-prepared when exam day arrives.
11 Plus Mock Exams in Your Area
We’re currently working on setting up a network of local test centres to offer in-person 11 Plus mock exams that closely match the format used by Shoeburyness High School. These sessions will provide a valuable opportunity for your child to practise under real exam conditions, helping to build confidence and improve performance. Although this service isn’t available just yet, you can register your interest by completing the form below. We’ll get in touch as soon as mock exams become available in your area.
Shoeburyness High School Key Dates and Application Information
In the application process to Shoeburyness High School, there are several key deadlines to keep to, for application to the school itself and the 11+ test registration. At 11 Plus Hero, we understand this can be a lot for prospective students and parents, especially alongside exam preparation. For this reason, we regularly update key dates below.
CSSE Registration Opens
CSSE Registration Deadline
CSSE Exam Date
Results Published
Common Application Form Deadline
Offer Day
Shoeburyness High School for Girls Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at Shoeburyness High School for Girls, families need to complete both the school’s registration form and the local authority’s application process.
Admissions Policy 2026
Make sure you read the Shoeburyness High School for Girls Admissions Policy PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyEntrance Test Entry Form
Submit the form via the CSSE website within the specified window to allow your child to sit the exam.
Visit Council WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your local authority, with Shoeburyness High School listed as one of your preferences. The CAF deadline is 31st October 2025. Both forms must be completed, failure to submit either will result in an incomplete application.
Shoeburyness High School FAQs
Register your child for the CSSE 11 Plus exam and complete your local authority’s Common Application Form by 31 October in Year 6. Both applications must be submitted before the deadline.
The CSSE 11 Plus exam includes two one-hour written papers in English and maths. Each is marked out of 60, age-standardised, and combined into a total score out of 300.
Entry to the selective stream is highly competitive, as only a small number of places are available each year. Pupils must achieve strong scores in the CSSE 11 Plus to be considered.
Yes, priority is usually given to applicants living within the school’s defined local area, although pupils from outside the area may still be considered if they achieve high scores in the 11 Plus exam.