Southend High School for Boys 11+ Guide

About Southend High School for Boys

Southend High School for Boys is a selective secondary school in Essex. For children to get into Southend High School for Boys they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, Southend High School for Boys is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Southend High School for Boys is an esteemed selective grammar school nestled in the heart of Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex. As an academy, the school is dedicated to providing an exceptional education to young men between the ages of 11 and 18, with a mixed sixth form that welcomes both boys and girls. SHSB takes immense pride in its long-standing tradition of academic excellence and holistic student development.

The school's curriculum is carefully crafted to align with national standards while fostering a love for learning and a thirst for knowledge. The faculty at SHSB is committed to nurturing strategic thinkers and independent learners by closely monitoring and guiding each student's progress. The school places a strong emphasis on building a solid foundation in core subjects such as English, sciences, and mathematics, ensuring that students are well-equipped to tackle future challenges. Parents are viewed as integral partners in their child's educational journey and are actively encouraged to engage in the learning process.

Beyond the classroom, SHSB offers a wealth of extracurricular activities designed to cater to a wide range of interests and passions. From film clubs and board games to geography society and basketball, students have ample opportunities to explore their talents and develop new skills. The school recognizes the importance of a well-rounded education and strives to create an environment that promotes both academic growth and personal development. With a strong support system in place, including guidance programs and a comprehensive rewards system, SHSB ensures that students feel valued, motivated, and mentally well.

The school's commitment to excellence is evident in its "Outstanding" Ofsted rating and the remarkable achievements of its students. Year after year, pupils at SHSB consistently deliver impressive exam results, securing coveted places at top universities both locally and internationally. The school's thriving parents' association and extensive alumni network stand as testaments to the lasting impact of an SHSB education. With its nurturing atmosphere, innovative approach, and unwavering dedication to student success, Southend High School for Boys continues to set the standard for exceptional grammar school education.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Southend High School for Boys together with their admissions contact details.

Southend High School for Boys is a boys only school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).

In total 1,317 pupils attend Southend High School for Boys and it's led by the Headteacher, Dr Robin Bevan.

Southend High School for Boys Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Southend High School for Boys for the 2022-23 academic year.

CSSE 11+ Information

In order to get into Southend High School for Boys, children need to pass the CSSE 11+. This 11+ test is written by CSSE for use by the school's admissions process.

CSSE 11+ Subjects & Structure

The CSSE 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

• English
• Maths

The CSSE 11 plus exam, required for entry into Southend High School for Boys, is a rigorous assessment of a student's academic abilities. The exam is divided into two separate papers, each lasting approximately one hour.

The English paper evaluates the candidate's reading comprehension skills and creative writing prowess. Students must demonstrate a strong understanding of the given texts and showcase their ability to craft well-structured, imaginative responses.

The Maths paper assesses the student's proficiency in mathematical concepts and problem-solving skills. The questions are based on the Key Stage 2 maths curriculum, ensuring that candidates have a solid foundation in essential mathematical principles.

Other Schools using CSSE 11+

As well as Southend High School for Boys, several other schools also use CSSE 11+. These are:

• Colchester County High School for Girls
• Colchester Royal Grammar School
• King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
• Southend High School for Girls
• Westcliff High School for Boys Academy
• Westcliff High School for Girls

CSSE 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Southend High School for Boys is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.

Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.

Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.

It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!

CSSE 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the CSSE 11+ changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).

Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at Southend High School for Boys, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

CSSE 11+ Key Dates for your Diary

Here are all the important dates for the CSSE 11+ tests (to get into Southend High School for Boys) as well as other relevant dates.

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Southend High School for Boys as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Southend High School for Boys was last inspected by Ofsted on 09/12/2014 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 12/01/2015, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Southend High School for Boys per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.

GCSE Results Information (2022-23)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Unfortunately, Southend High School for Boys has not made any of their 11+ past papers publicly available. However, you can use our 11+ practice papers to help your child prepare.

Practice Papers for Southend High School for Boys