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The Southend 11+

Southend-on-Sea’s four grammar schools take children through the CSSE test, the same English and maths papers as Essex’s. Places go in score order, with priority for postcodes SS0 to SS9.

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At a glance

The test
The CSSE 11+ Selective Test
Set by
CSSE
Subjects
English, maths
Answers
Written answers
Who sits it
4,994 candidates across all ten CSSE schools sat the September 2026 test (CSSE Standardisation Report, October 2026); for September 2026 entry Southend High School for Boys had 1,099 preferences and Southend High School for Girls 950 (Southend admission booklet 2027/28)

The papers

The same CSSE test as the Essex grammar schools: English, 60 minutes plus 10 minutes' reading time, and Mathematics, 60 minutes, based on Key Stage 2, each standardised and weighted equally into a total where an average candidate scores 300. No applied reasoning questions in English since 2025 entry.

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Dates, results and scores

When is the 11+ in Southend-on-Sea?

The 2027 test: not published yet. The 2026 test: Saturday 19 September 2026; Tuesday 29 September 2026 for religious observance, illness with medical evidence or other exceptional circumstances.

How do you register for the 11+ in Southend-on-Sea?

For the 2027 test (2028 entry): CSSE says registration for 2028 entry will open in May 2027, with important dates published by Easter 2027 (exact window not yet published) For the 2026 test (2027 entry): Tuesday 12 May to Friday 19 June 2026, with CSSE (online or by post)

When do 11+ results come out in Southend-on-Sea?

For the 2026 test: Emailed by CSSE after the close of business on Monday 12 October 2026, with the guidance sheet of last scores offered; applications to Southend-on-Sea City Council by 31 October 2026; offers on 1 March 2027.

What score qualifies in Southend-on-Sea?

The four grammar schools admit only through the test and give no place below a pass mark that is "set annually" to keep the standard comparable with 1990 to 1994 (no figure is given in their 2027/28 arrangements); CSSE makes no offer below a total of 303. Places then go in score order by category, with priority for postcodes SS0 to SS9 and 'preferential consideration' places for looked-after children and children on free school meals or pupil premium at registration. Southend High School for Boys (PAN 180): up to 150 places in SS0 to SS9 (15 preferential), 3 of the other 30 preferential. Southend High School for Girls (PAN 224): up to 179 in SS0 to SS9 (up to 17 preferential), up to 4 preferential outside and at least 41 others outside. Westcliff High School for Boys (PAN 185): 148 in SS0 to SS9 (15 preferential), 4 of the other 37 preferential. Westcliff High School for Girls (PAN 192): up to 154 in SS0 to SS9 (up to 15 preferential), up to 4 preferential outside, then the rest. Last places offered for September 2026 entry (inside / outside the priority area): Southend High Boys 310 / 346, Southend High Girls 303 / 318, Westcliff High Boys 314 / 352, Westcliff High Girls 303 / 332. Shoeburyness High School, St Bernard's High School (girls) and St Thomas More High School (boys) fill part of their intake by the test (CSSE's guide gives 28, 30 and 30 places) with an accepted minimum of 303; St Thomas More's selective places go only to residents of its catchment area.

Not confirmed yet

  • The numeric pass mark of the four Southend grammar schools for 2027 entry is not published in their arrangements (only the 1990 to 1994 standard and CSSE's 303 minimum)
  • Exact window and test date for the September 2027 test (2028 entry) are not yet published
  • Southend's 2027/28 booklet says results go by first-class post, but CSSE's guide and website say they are emailed; CSSE's version is used here

Check these on the official page: csse.org.uk

Good to know

Late testing and moving to the area

CSSE's Tuesday 29 September 2026 sitting for religious observance, illness or exceptional circumstances. Waiting lists by category run to 31 December; after that places follow each school's in-year process, which includes re-testing (Westcliff High School for Boys lists in-year entrance tests on 2 November 2026, 22 February 2027 and 2 July 2027).

Who runs admissions

Each school sets its own admission arrangements (own admission authority); CSSE runs the test only; Southend-on-Sea City Council coordinates applications for Southend residents (other families apply to their home council), and St Bernard's and St Thomas More also need their own supplementary forms by 31 October 2026.

Grammar schools in Southend-on-Sea

Each school sets its own admissions rules: check its admissions policy for places and priority areas.

SchoolTownTakes
Southend High School for Boys websiteSouthend-on-SeaBoys, mixed sixth form
Southend High School for Girls websiteSouthend-on-SeaGirls
Westcliff High School for Boys websiteWestcliff-on-SeaBoys, mixed sixth form
Westcliff High School for Girls websiteWestcliff-on-SeaGirls, mixed sixth form

Also using the test: Shoeburyness High School (partially selective), St Bernard's High School (partially selective), St Thomas More High School (partially selective).

More on the 11+

Sources

Every fact here comes from the official pages below. Dates and scores change from year to year, so check them there before you rely on them.

Checked 2 November 2026.

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