Westcliff High School for Boys Academy 11+ Guide

About Westcliff High School for Boys Academy

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

Nestled in the picturesque town of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, Westcliff High School for Boys Academy is a prestigious grammar school that has been nurturing young minds and shaping futures for over a century. With a steadfast commitment to academic excellence and personal growth, this institution has earned a stellar reputation for its outstanding educational provision.

At Westcliff High School for Boys Academy, students embark on a transformative journey that extends far beyond the confines of the classroom. The school's comprehensive curriculum encompasses a wide array of subjects, including humanities, modern languages, arts, religious studies, and English, alongside a robust focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This well-rounded approach ensures that pupils are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to thrive in their adult lives and future careers.

Beyond the academic realm, Westcliff High School for Boys Academy places great emphasis on the holistic development of its students. The school boasts an extensive and ever-evolving extracurricular programme that caters to a diverse range of interests and abilities. From engaging in local, regional, and national sporting competitions to immersing themselves in drama clubs, musical choirs, poetry, robotics, and charitable endeavours, pupils have ample opportunities to explore their passions and cultivate their talents.

Central to the ethos of Westcliff High School for Boys Academy is the cultivation of a supportive and inclusive community. The school fosters an environment where personal integrity, collaboration, and mutual respect are highly valued. Through dedicated pastoral care, each student receives the guidance and support necessary to develop into a mindful, open-minded individual with a robust foundation in mental well-being. This holistic approach to education ensures that students not only excel academically but also emerge as well-rounded, compassionate, and resilient young men.

The achievements of Westcliff High School for Boys Academy speak volumes about its unwavering commitment to excellence. With students consistently delivering outstanding examination results and demonstrating continuous improvement year after year, it comes as no surprise that the school has been awarded the coveted "Outstanding" rating by Ofsted. This recognition serves as a testament to the school's dedication to providing an exceptional educational experience that empowers boys to reach their full potential and make a positive impact on the world around them.

School Information

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

Westcliff High School for Boys Academy 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 1,267 pupils attend Westcliff High School for Boys Academy and it's led by the Headmaster, Mr Michael Skelly.

Westcliff High School for Boys Academy 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 Westcliff High School for Boys Academy for the 2022-23 academic year.

CSSE 11+ Information

In order to get into Westcliff High School for Boys Academy, 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 is a rigorous assessment designed to evaluate the academic abilities of students seeking admission to Westcliff High School for Boys Academy. This competitive examination comprises two papers, each lasting approximately one hour.

The English paper assesses the candidate's proficiency in reading comprehension and creative writing. It aims to gauge the student's ability to understand and analyze written passages, as well as their capacity to express ideas and thoughts effectively through original composition.

The Maths paper challenges the applicant's mathematical skills and problem-solving aptitude. The questions are based on the Key Stage 2 maths curriculum, ensuring that the exam aligns with the expected knowledge and understanding of students at this educational level.

Other Schools using CSSE 11+

As well as Westcliff High School for Boys Academy, 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 Boys
• Southend High School for Girls
• Westcliff High School for Girls

CSSE 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Westcliff High School for Boys Academy 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 Westcliff High School for Boys Academy, 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 Westcliff High School for Boys Academy) 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 Westcliff High School for Boys Academy as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Westcliff High School for Boys Academy was last inspected by Ofsted on 21/11/2023 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 15/01/2024, 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

Ofsted Report Summary

Westcliff High School for Boys Academy received an Outstanding rating in its recent Ofsted inspection on 15/01/2024. The school demonstrated exceptional performance across all areas assessed, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision.

The inspection report highlighted the school's outstanding quality of education, which provides students with a well-rounded and comprehensive learning experience. The school's exceptional behaviour and attitudes were also praised, indicating a positive and conducive learning environment. Additionally, the report commended the school's outstanding personal development initiatives, which support students' growth and well-being.

The leadership and management at Westcliff High School for Boys Academy were found to be outstanding, demonstrating effective governance and a clear vision for the school's success. The sixth form provision was also rated as outstanding, ensuring that students are well-prepared for their future academic and professional endeavors.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Westcliff High School for Boys Academy 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, Westcliff High School for Boys Academy has not made any of their past 11+ papers publicly available.

Practice Papers for Westcliff High School for Boys Academy