St Bernard’s High School 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: CSSE
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Girls Only
Places per year: 63
Ofsted Rating: Good
St Bernard’s High School for Girls
St Bernard’s High School is a Catholic secondary school for girls located in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. The school is well known for combining strong academic standards with a welcoming and faith-based environment that supports every student’s development.
As part of its Year 7 admissions, St Bernard’s High School offers a selective stream for pupils who perform highly in the CSSE 11 Plus exam, used across Essex grammar schools. This allows academically able students to access an enhanced curriculum while being part of a wider comprehensive community.
The school promotes both academic excellence and personal growth. Students benefit from a balanced education that encourages achievement in core subjects alongside spiritual development, enrichment activities and strong pastoral care.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for St Bernard’s High School
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for St Bernard’s High School
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at St Bernard’s 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 St Bernard’s High School
How to Apply
Information on the application process for St Bernard’s High School
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for St Bernard’s High School
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
St Bernard’s High School Key Information
To help you stay informed we at 11 Plus Hero regularly update on the most important information for St Bernard’s High School including who to contact at the school!
School Address
Full Address:
St Bernard’s High SchoolMilton Road
Westcliff-on-Sea
Essex
SS0 7JS
Contact Information
Parking in the school
- Parking is not available on the sire during the day and there is limited availability on nearby roads. For evening events cars may park on the school playground but this must be arranged with the school.Â
Additional parking off site
- Shorefield Road Car Park, 5 Shorefield Road, Southend-on-Sea, SS0 7RQ. Mon to Sun, 24h.Â
- North Road Car Park, Southend-on-Sea, SS1 1PW. Mon to Sun, 24h.
St Bernard’s High School Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Good across all areas, with a strong learning culture, respectful behaviour, and excellent pastoral care that ensures pupils feel safe, happy, and motivated to achieve their best.
Academic strength: Pupils make strong progress through a well-planned and ambitious curriculum. Teachers have strong subject knowledge and use effective assessment to help students build knowledge over time.
Teaching and curriculum: Lessons are clearly structured and engaging, with most teachers adapting their teaching well to support pupils with additional needs. Sixth-form teaching provides appropriate challenge and prepares students for their next steps.
Behaviour and culture: Behaviour is calm and respectful throughout the school. Pupils show maturity, ambition, and a positive attitude towards learning, supported by inclusive values and enrichment opportunities such as leadership roles and cultural events.
Leadership and safeguarding: Leadership is strong and committed to improvement. Safeguarding systems are robust, staff are well trained, and pupils feel supported and confident that concerns are addressed effectively.
The CSSE 11+ Entrance Test Format
St Bernard’s High School 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
| English (Minor Verbal Reasoning Element) | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
Each paper is marked out of 60 and standardised for age, giving a total possible score of 300. There is no set pass mark, but applicants must achieve the required standard to be considered for one of the selective places.
Catchment Area
Selective places are available to pupils whose normal place of residence lies within the SS0–SS9 postcode areas. If two or more applicants have the same score or ranking, the place will be offered to the pupil living closest to the school, measured in a straight line from the home to the main school entrance.
Additional Eligibility
For the September 2026 intake, the school’s Published Admission Number (PAN) is 175, including up to 30 selective places offered through the CSSE exam.
Admission is based on the following order of priority:
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Catholic looked-after and previously looked-after children.
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Catholic girls attending one of the feeder Catholic primary schools, including Our Lady of Lourdes, St Helen’s, Sacred Heart, St Teresa’s, St George’s, St Peter’s, St John Fisher, Holy Family, Our Lady of Ransom and Our Lady of Canvey.
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Other Catholic girls.
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Other looked-after and previously looked-after girls.
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Catechumens and members of an Eastern Christian Church.
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Girls of other Christian denominations.
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Girls of other faiths whose membership is confirmed by a religious leader.
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Remaining applications ranked by distance.
Within each category, priority is given first to girls who have a sibling at St Bernard’s High School or St Thomas More High School, and then by proximity to the school.
Click here to view the full St Bernard’s High School admissions policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at St Bernard’s High School
Here are some helpful tips for preparing your child for the CSSE 11 Plus:
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 St Bernard’s 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.
St Bernard's High School Key Dates and Application Information
There are additional dates and deadlines to be aware of if you are applying to the selective stream rather than the general intake at St. Bernard’s High School. 11 Plus Hero have compiled this chronological list so that you can keep on track!
Registration Opens
Registration Deadline
CSSE 11+ Test Date
Results Day
Common Application Form Deadline
Offer Day
St Bernard’s High School Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at St Bernard’s High School, 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 St Bernard’s High School Admissions Policy PDF to ensure you and your child understand the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyEntrance Test Entry Form
Register through the CSSE website between May and June 2025. This allows your child to take the exam.
Visit Council WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your local authority, with v 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.
St Bernard’s High School FAQs
You’ll need to register your child for the CSSE 11 Plus exam on the CSSE website and list St Bernard’s High School 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 selective, with up to 30 Year 7 places offered through the 11 Plus exam. Candidates must meet the required standard in the CSSE to be considered, and places are awarded in rank order of results.
Yes, priority is given to pupils living within the local Southend area, particularly those attending feeder Catholic primary schools. Distance from the school is used as a tiebreaker when scores are tied.