Southend High School For Girls 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: CSSE
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Girls Only
Places per year: 224
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Southend High School for Girls
Southend High School for Girls (SHSG) is a leading selective grammar school in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. Renowned for its academic excellence and supportive all-girls environment, the school provides a challenging and inspiring education that helps students reach their full potential.
As a member of the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE), admission to Year 7 at SHSG is determined by performance in the CSSE 11 Plus exam. The school follows a fair and transparent admissions process, attracting high-achieving pupils from across Essex and nearby areas.
Southend High School for Girls promotes academic success alongside personal growth. Students are encouraged to develop confidence, independence and leadership skills through a wide range of enrichment opportunities, including sport, music, drama and community initiatives.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Southend High School for Girls
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Southend High School for Girls
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Southend High School for Girls
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 Southend High School for Girls
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Southend High School for Girls
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Southend High School for Girls
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Southend High School For Girls Key Information
In this section, we regularly update on information for Southend High Schools For Girls, to be used by prospective students and their parents in the admissions process.
School Address
Full Address:
Southend High School For Girls, Southchurch BoulevardSouthend-on-Sea
Essex
SS2 4UZ
Contact Information
Parking in the school
There is some parking available on site at Southend High School For Girls. In the event parking is limited or full, please use the sites listed below, all within a 30 minute walk.
Additional parking off site
Ilfracombe Avenue Parking, 2 Ilfracombe Avenue, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2QD (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
Southchurch Park, Lifstan Way, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2XD (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
Southend High School for Girls Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Rated Outstanding in every area, Southend High School for Girls provides an exceptional education where pupils flourish academically, socially and personally in a nurturing and ambitious environment.
Academic strength: The school delivers a highly ambitious curriculum that goes beyond the National Curriculum, promoting deep understanding, independent research and high achievement across all subjects.
Teaching and curriculum: Expert teachers use strong subject knowledge and rigorous assessment to ensure every pupil makes exceptional progress. Lessons are stimulating, well-structured and effectively adapted for pupils with SEND.
Behaviour and culture: Behaviour is exemplary, with pupils showing maturity, kindness and respect. The school community is supportive and inclusive, helping students develop leadership, confidence and a strong moral character.
Leadership and safeguarding: Leadership is visionary and committed to continuous improvement. Staff are well supported, safeguarding is robust, and pupils receive outstanding pastoral care and careers guidance.
The CSSE 11+ Entrance Test Format
Southend High School for Girls is a member of the CSSE consortium, which sets a shared two-paper entrance exam used by several selective grammar schools across Essex.
The CSSE 11+ Entrance Test: Overview
The entrance exam consists of two written papers. Each paper lasts approximately one hour and is marked by the CSSE. The exams are not multiple choice, and scores are age-standardised to ensure fairness. There is no specific pass mark. Instead, applicants are ranked according to their combined performance across both papers.
Paper One
English Paper: tests comprehension, grammar, vocabulary and creative writing
Paper Two
Mathematics Paper: based on the Key Stage 2 national 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
There is no fixed pass mark, but candidates must meet or exceed the required standard to be considered for a place. Parents must register their child for the test via the CSSE website and list SHSG on the Common Application Form (CAF) submitted to their local authority.
Catchment Area
There is no official catchment area for Southend High School For Girls. However, the oversubscription criteria DOES operate on priority postcodes. This means that girls who pass the test and live in the priority postcodes have a higher chance of admission. The priority postcodes are outlined below:
- SS0, SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5, SS6, SS7, SS8 and SS9
Additional Eligibility
For the September 2026 intake, the school’s published admission number (PAN) is 224.
Admission is based on test performance, with places offered in the following priority order:
-
Looked-after and previously looked-after children who meet the required standard in the CSSE exam.
-
Children living within the priority postcode areas (SS0–SS9) who qualify for preferential consideration (for example, those eligible for the Pupil Premium). Up to 18 places are reserved for this category.
-
Children living within the priority postcode areas (SS0–SS9) who pass the selection test. Up to 179 places are designated for this and the previous category combined.
-
Children living outside the priority postcode areas who qualify for preferential consideration. Up to 5 places are reserved for this group.
-
Other children living outside the priority postcode areas who achieve the required pass mark. Remaining places (a minimum of 45) are offered in this category.
Passing the selection test does not guarantee a place. Offers are ranked in descending order of score until the PAN is reached.
Click here to view the full Southend High School for Girls admissions policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Southend High School for Girls
Here are some tips to support your daughter’s preparation for the CSSE entrance exam:
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 Southend High School for Girls. 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.
Southend High School For Girls Key Dates and Application Information
There are multiple deadlines in the application process to Southend High School for girls which are essential to keep to. 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.
Registration Opens
Registration deadline
CSSE 11+ Test Date
Results Day
Common Application Form Deadline
Offer Day
Southend High School for Girls Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at Southend 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 Southend 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
This is submitted through the CSSE website in the summer term. Registering is necessary for your child to sit the entrance exam.
Visit Council WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your local authority, with Southend High School for Girls 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.
Southend High School For Girls FAQs
You’ll need to register your child for the CSSE 11 Plus exam on the CSSE website and list Southend High School for Girls as a preference on your Common Application Form (CAF) before 31st October 2025.
The CSSE exam includes two written papers: one in English, testing comprehension and writing, and one in maths, covering arithmetic, reasoning and problem-solving. Each paper is marked out of 60 and standardised for age.
Admission is highly competitive, with 224 Year 7 places available. Candidates must achieve a high standardised score in the CSSE 11 Plus exam to secure a place, as offers are made in rank order of results.
Yes, the priority catchment area covers postcodes SS0 to SS9. When scores are tied, distance from the school is used as a tiebreaker, giving preference to applicants who live closer.