About Southend High School For Boys
Southend High School for Boys (SHSB) is a highly selective state grammar school for boys aged 11–18, with a co-educational Sixth Form, in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. It is a state-funded academy — not an independent, fee-paying school — and is rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.
Founded in 1895, SHSB is a member of the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE). Entry to Year 7 is by the CSSE 11+ selection test; there are no fees, and admission is by test score together with the school’s catchment area. Its motto is ‘Forti nihil difficile’ (to the determined, nothing is difficult).
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Southend High School for Boys
Southend High School for Boys Admissions Criteria
Southend High School for Boys is a selective state grammar school, so entry to Year 7 is by the CSSE 11+ selection test — not by fees. You register your son for the test with the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE) and name the school on your home Local Authority’s Common Application Form. Places are offered to boys who reach the required standard, with priority to those living in the school’s catchment (Southend SS postcodes).
- ✓Step 1 — Visit: Look round at an Open Day or tour to get a feel for the school. This is not part of the selection process.
- ✓Step 2 — Register for the CSSE 11+: Register your son for the selection test with the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE), via the Supplementary Information Form on the CSSE website, by the published deadline.
- ✓Step 3 — Name the school on your Local Authority application: List Southend High School for Boys on your child’s secondary Common Application Form through your home Local Authority by the national deadline of 31 October. There is no fee to the school.
- ✓Step 4 — Sit the CSSE 11+: The CSSE 11+ is sat in September of Year 6. The same test is shared across the Essex consortium, so it is taken only once.
- ✓Step 5 — Offers: Your Local Authority makes offers on National Offer Day (1 March of Year 6). Places are allocated by test score within the catchment rules below.
As a state-funded school there are no tuition fees. Support such as free school meals and pupil premium funding is available to eligible families — contact the school for details.
How Places Are Allocated at Southend High School for Boys
- 180 Year 7 places, offered to boys who reach the required standard in the CSSE 11+.
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children, and a proportion of places reserved for high-scoring disadvantaged (pupil-premium) boys, are prioritised.
- Priority is given to boys living within the school’s catchment area (Southend postcodes SS0–SS9).
- Places are then offered in descending order of CSSE 11+ score, with distance from the school as the tie-breaker.
- See the school’s and CSSE’s published admissions policy for the full criteria.
Catchment Area for Southend High School for Boys
SHSB gives priority to boys living within its Southend catchment area, so where you live matters alongside the test score — but entry depends first on sitting the CSSE 11+.
Qualifying scores and distance cut-offs vary each year, so check the school’s admissions policy, the CSSE website and the Southend admissions booklet before applying.
Academic Performance at Southend High School for Boys (GCSE & A-Level Results)
As a selective grammar school, SHSB achieves excellent results and is rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.
- GCSE: an excellent record, with most grades at the highest levels (grades 9–7).
- A-Level: consistently strong, with most students progressing to Russell Group and other leading universities.
- Sixth Form: co-educational, with girls and boys joining at 16.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1895, Southend High School for Boys is a selective state grammar for boys (with a co-educational Sixth Form) on Prittlewell Chase in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, with an Anglican foundation and the motto ‘Forti nihil difficile’. A high-performing, ‘Outstanding’-rated school, it is organised into houses — Athens, Sparta, Troy and Tuscany — and combines academic challenge with strong pastoral care.
Co-curricular life is wide-ranging, with a strong sporting tradition (rugby, cricket, football and more) alongside music, drama, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and many clubs. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Southend High School for Boys
How do I apply to Southend High School for Boys for Year 7?
Register your son for the CSSE 11+ with the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE), and name the school on your home Local Authority’s Common Application Form by 31 October. There is no fee to the school.
Does Southend High School for Boys charge fees?
No. SHSB is a state-funded grammar school with academy status — it is not an independent, fee-paying school.
What is the entrance exam for SHSB?
The CSSE 11+ selection test, shared by the grammar schools in the Essex consortium. It is sat in September of Year 6 (papers in English and Maths) and taken only once, even if you apply to several CSSE schools.
Does SHSB have a catchment area?
Yes — priority goes to boys living in the school’s catchment (Southend postcodes SS0–SS9). Where scores are equal, distance from the school is the tie-breaker.
Is the SHSB Sixth Form co-educational?
Yes. SHSB admits boys from Year 7, and the Sixth Form is co-educational, with girls and boys joining at 16 based on GCSE results.
How many Year 7 places are there at SHSB?
Around 180 places, offered to boys who reach the required standard in the CSSE 11+, in descending order of score within the catchment rules.
Independent Practice Papers for Southend High School For Boys
Southend High School For Boys uses the CSSE 11+ format. Our practice papers closely mirror the actual test structure — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Southend High School For Boys 11+ Exam
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