Southend High School for Girls 11 plus: a parents' guide for 2022

For over a century, Southend High School for Girls has been dedicated to educating and inspiring young women to become the leaders of tomorrow. Offering a broad curriculum and expert teaching, girls have access to staff and facilities of the highest quality as they prepare for university and beyond.

The school helps pupils to secure excellent GCSE and A level results, with many girls progressing to Oxbridge, Russell Group institutions and other top colleges and universities around the world.

11 plus exam information for Southend High School for Girls

• Address: Southend High School for Girls, Southchurch Boulevard, Southend-on-Sea SS2 4UZ

• County: Essex

• Admissions info: [email protected]

• School type: girls’ grammar

• Number of pupils: 1,200

• Number of places in Year 7: 180

• Exam board type: Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE)

• Open days: 30th June 2022, 5pm - 8pm

• Registration for entry in 2023: opens on 17th May 2022

• Exam date for entry in 2023: 17th September 2022

• Deadline for applications for entry in 2023: applications must be submitted by 31st October 2022 to the child's home Local Authority

• Offers for entry in 2023: 1st March 2023

Southend High School for Girls term dates

The term dates for Southend High School for Girls in 2022-23 are:

• Autumn term: 5th September – 16th December

• Half term: 24th - 28th October

• Spring term: 5th January – 31st March

• Half term: 13th - 17th March

• Summer term: 17th April - 21st July

• Half term: 29th May - 2nd June

Southend High School for Girls 11 plus admissions process

Entry for Southend High School for Girls at 11 plus is decided by the candidate's performance in the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE) exam, which covers English and Maths. These exams take place in September of Year 6. Applications to the school must be submitted to the pupil’s home Local Authority by October 31st in the year prior to admission.

Families hoping to apply to Southend High School for Girls must also register with the CSSE so that their daughter can take the 11 plus exam. Registration forms can be completed online at the CSSE website. Registration commences in the May before the exam.

There are 180 places in each Year 7 intake. Applications are welcomed from further afield, but the Southend High School for Girls catchment area boundaries will be taken into account when offering places.

What is the Southend High School for Girls catchment area?

The Southend High School for Girls catchment area gives preference to girls living within the priority area postcodes (at this time, SS0, SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5, SS6, SS7, SS8 and SS9), who have passed the CSSE selection tests. A quota of up to 80% (144 places) of the Year 7 intake is reserved at this school for girls whose details match this category. Places are offered in descending order of CSSE test results.

What is the Southend High School for Girls 11 plus exam format?

Southend High School for Girls uses the CSSE exam paper format. Consisting of two papers, the CSSE 11 plus test assesses Key Stage 2 English and Maths competency and skills.

The CSSE exam is similar to independent school admissions tests and the test may only be sat once. The papers are created by the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex and are intended to challenge the depth and security of a student’s knowledge.

Find out more about what to expect from the CSSE 11 plus exam.

How do I prepare my child for the Southend High School for Girls 11 plus test?

To do well on the CSSE papers, girls will need a very good understanding of all elements covered in the KS2 maths and English curriculum. In addition to this they will be expected to ‘go beyond’ and to demonstrate skills in deduction, problem-solving, inference, continuous writing and reasoning. More guidance about the exam can be found on the CSSE website.

Atom Learning can help your daughter prepare for the 11 plus

Atom Nucleus is here to help ensure your daughter goes into the Southend High School for Girls entrance exam feeling confident and fully prepared. We have over 90,000+ teacher-written practice questions, video tutorials, live exam prep courses and lessons, and unlimited mock tests that mirror the format and structure of the CSSE 11 plus exam.

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We know how crucial this time is, so our team is on hand to support you and your family every step of the way. You can book a call with one of our Education Experts to ask any questions you may have about the CSSE 11 plus or preparing for Southend High School for Girls:

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