Westcliff High School for Girls 11+ Guide

About Westcliff High School for Girls

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

Nestled in the heart of Southend-on-Sea, Essex, Westcliff High School for Girls is a beacon of academic excellence and personal growth. This prestigious grammar school has a long-standing tradition of nurturing the minds and spirits of young women, equipping them with the tools they need to become the trailblazers of tomorrow. With an unwavering commitment to empowering its students, Westcliff High School for Girls provides a comprehensive and challenging curriculum that lays the groundwork for success in both academic and personal pursuits.

The school's curriculum is thoughtfully crafted around the English Baccalaureate, ensuring that students receive a robust education in core subjects. From Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5, the school offers a wide array of subjects, complemented by leadership qualifications available from Year 9 onwards. This holistic approach to education not only fosters academic achievement but also cultivates essential social and emotional skills that will serve students well beyond their school years.

At Westcliff High School for Girls, education extends far beyond the classroom walls. The school recognizes the importance of personal development and encourages students to explore their passions through a diverse range of extracurricular activities. From the drama club and orchestra to the psychology society and board games, there is something for every interest. The school also offers local and international trips, as well as visits to Southend General Hospital for aspiring medical students, providing invaluable opportunities for growth and exposure.

The school's dedication to fostering a strong sense of community is evident in its commitment to closing the achievement gap between different groups and ensuring that every girl feels respected and accepted. By creating an inclusive environment where friendships can flourish and stand against discrimination, Westcliff High School for Girls empowers its students to become confident, compassionate, and socially responsible individuals.

With a consistent track record of outstanding academic achievements, including impressive GCSE and A-Level results, and an "Outstanding" rating from Ofsted, Westcliff High School for Girls is a testament to the power of education in shaping the lives of young women. By instilling high moral standards and a passion for learning, this exceptional school is not only preparing its students for success in their academic pursuits but also nurturing the leaders and thinkers of the future.

School Information

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

Westcliff High School for Girls is a girls 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 1,333 pupils attend Westcliff High School for Girls and it's led by the Headteacher, Miss Emma Matthews.

Westcliff High School for Girls 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 Girls for the 2022-23 academic year.

CSSE 11+ Information

In order to get into Westcliff High School for Girls, 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 Westcliff High School for Girls, is a rigorous assessment of a student's academic abilities. The exam is divided into two sections, each lasting approximately one hour.

The English portion of the exam evaluates a student's reading comprehension skills and creative writing abilities. Students are expected to demonstrate a strong understanding of the given texts and articulate their thoughts effectively in writing.

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

Other Schools using CSSE 11+

As well as Westcliff High School for Girls, 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 Boys Academy

CSSE 11+ Marking Process

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

Ofsted Information

Westcliff High School for Girls was last inspected by Ofsted on 06/10/2010 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 16/02/2011, declaring that the school was ''. 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 Girls was inspected by Ofsted on 16/02/2011 and received an Outstanding rating in all areas. The school demonstrated exceptional quality of education, with students consistently achieving high academic standards. The inspection also highlighted the school's outstanding behaviour and attitudes, fostering a positive learning environment where students are engaged and motivated to succeed.

The school's personal development provision was deemed outstanding, offering a wide range of opportunities for students to develop their skills, interests, and character. The leadership and management of the school were also rated as outstanding, with a clear vision, effective strategies, and strong support for staff and students.

Additionally, the sixth form provision at Westcliff High School for Girls was found to be outstanding, providing students with excellent support, guidance, and opportunities to prepare them for their future education and careers.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

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

Practice Papers for Westcliff High School for Girls