Westcliff High School for Girls 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: CSSE
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Girls Only
Places per year: 184
Competition: Medium
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Westcliff High School for Girls
Westcliff High School for Girls is a selective grammar school situated in Southend-on-Sea, recognised for its consistent academic success, supportive learning environment and wide variety of extracurricular opportunities. The school is highly regarded for nurturing both academic and personal development, helping students to reach their full potential in all areas of school life.
At Westcliff High School for Girls, pupils are encouraged to develop intellectual curiosity, confidence and resilience. The school promotes high academic standards alongside a vibrant programme of clubs, sports and enrichment activities that foster teamwork, leadership and community spirit.
Admission to Year 7 is determined by performance in the CSSE 11 Plus exam, which is used by a number of selective grammar schools across Essex to assess entry into their programmes.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Westcliff High School for Girls
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Westcliff High School for Girls
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Westcliff 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 Westcliff High School for Girls
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Westcliff High School for Girls
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Westcliff High School for Girls
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Westcliff High School For Girls Key Information
Under this section we list key information useful to students and their parents about Westcliff High School for Girls, including addresses, contact details and more.
School Address
Full Address:
Westcliff High School for Girls, Kenilworth GardensWestcliff-on-Sea
Essex
SS0 0BS
Contact Information
Parking in the school
Notably, Westcliff High School for Girls has very limited parking, use of public transport is advisable. Where driving is necessary, please use the alternative parking listed below. All are within a 30 minute walk.
Additional parking off site
North Street, 20 North Street, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 1QE (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
Elm Road, 69 Elm Road, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 1SL (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
Westcliff High School for Girls Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Westcliff High School for Girls is rated Outstanding in all areas, reflecting exceptional standards and a strong commitment to excellence.
Academic strength: Pupils achieve highly through a challenging, well-sequenced curriculum that builds deep knowledge and understanding.
Teaching and curriculum: Expert teachers use effective questioning and assessment to support progress and inspire a love of learning.
Behaviour and culture: Pupils show exemplary conduct, respect and enthusiasm, supported by rich extracurricular and leadership opportunities.
Leadership and safeguarding: Leadership is ambitious and effective, with strong safeguarding and a clear focus on continuous improvement.
The CSSE 11+ Entrance Test Format
Westcliff 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
The CSSE uses a standardised scoring system, and a minimum aggregate of 303 is often cited as the lower threshold below which offers are not made across CSSE grammar schools. For Westcliff High School for Girls specifically, the “inside priority area” cut-off has been reported in the region of 303 in past years.
Catchment Area
There is no official catchment area for Westcliff 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
After sitting the CSSE 11 Plus exam, places at Westcliff High School for Girls are allocated according to the school’s official 2026 admission criteria:
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Looked-after and previously looked-after children who meet the required pass mark.
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Applicants living within the school’s catchment area (postcodes SS0–SS9) who achieve the pass mark, with a local quota of up to 154 places reserved for these candidates.
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Up to 15 catchment applicants and up to 4 out-of-area applicants may be considered under ‘preferential consideration’.
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Remaining applicants living outside the catchment area who pass the selection test, ranked by CSSE score.
Click here to view the full Westcliff High School for Girls admissions policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Westcliff High School for Girls
To help your child do well in the CSSE exam, it’s important to start early and focus on the right areas.
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 Westcliff 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.
Westcliff High School For Girls Key Dates and Application Information
In the admissions process to Westcliff High School for Girls, deadlines are essential to keep in the application process. 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
Westcliff High School for Girls Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place at Westcliff 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 Westcliff 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 done through the CSSE website. You must register during the summer term of Year 5 to ensure your child can sit the test in September
Visit Council WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your local authority, with Westcliff 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.
Westcliff High School For Girls FAQs
You’ll need to register your child for the CSSE 11 Plus exam, complete the Local Authority application form, and list Westcliff High School for Girls as a preference before the 31 October deadline.
The CSSE 11 Plus exam includes two papers: English and mathematics. Each paper tests reading, comprehension, vocabulary, problem-solving and reasoning skills, with standardised scores used for selection.
Admission is highly competitive. The school typically accepts only those who meet or exceed the CSSE pass mark, which is usually around 303, with offers made in rank order of scores and catchment priority.
Yes. The school’s priority area includes postcode districts SS0 to SS9. Applicants living within these areas are given priority for a portion of available places, subject to achieving the required CSSE score.