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Southend-on-Sea 11+ 4 schools Shared test area

Updated for 2026 admissions cycle

Best Grammar Schools in Southend-on-Sea

The grammar schools in Southend-on-Sea form the deepest and most distinctive selective cluster in Essex. Southend's coastal setting, density of schools, and long-established admissions tradition give it a grammar-school identity stronger than that of almost any other Essex town.

girls' and boys' options CSSE Southend-on-Sea, Essex Data checked 11 May 2026 Uses published 2025 GCSE measures and verified shared-test route data
See schools Open shared test guide

Top schools

Top grammar schools in Southend-on-Sea

Previewing the top 4 grammar schools in Southend-on-Sea by GCSE results. The full table ranks schools by GCSE results and adds competition level, shared test route detail, and admissions context.

Jump to full ranking
  1. Rank #1

    Westcliff High School for Boys Academy

    High competition / CSSE

    GCSE score 77.4
  2. Rank #2

    Westcliff High School for Girls

    High competition / CSSE

    GCSE score 73.4
  3. Rank #3

    Southend High School for Girls

    High competition / CSSE

    GCSE score 71.7
  4. Rank #4

    Southend High School for Boys

    High competition / CSSE

    GCSE score 67.1

Area map

Map of grammar schools in Southend-on-Sea

Open map viewSee the shortlist spatially

School ranking

Full grammar school ranking in Southend-on-Sea

This table ranks schools by GCSE results. Before saving a school, check the shared test route, school-level admissions rules, Ofsted, competition level, and daily journey.

Compare up to 4 schools

Shared test guide

These schools share one test

The Essex (CSSE) guide explains the test, dates, and papers these schools share. It is the quickest way to see the shared exam details in one place.

7 key dates 41 downloads CSSE, FSCE
Open Essex (CSSE) guide See all shared test guides

Next checks

Compare schools and guides for Southend-on-Sea

Open focused comparisons and guides for the routes, admissions rules, and journeys that matter in Southend-on-Sea.

Comparisons

Compare nearby schools

Compare Westcliff High School for Boys Academy with Southend High School for Boys Compare Westcliff High School for Girls with Southend High School for Girls Compare Westcliff High School for Boys Academy with Westcliff High School for Girls

Explore other areas

Compare nearby grammar-school areas

Nearby areas can share similar routes, school mix, or journey patterns while still leading to different daily choices.

Regional overview

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6 grammar school profiles in Kent. The linked Medway Test guide covers shared test dates, downloads, and route detail.

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2 grammar school profiles in Chelmsford, Essex. The linked Essex (CSSE) guide covers shared test dates, downloads, and route detail.

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Best Grammar Schools in Essex

8 grammar school profiles in Essex, covering Chelmsford, Colchester, and Southend-on-Sea. The linked Essex (CSSE) guide covers shared test dates, downloads, and route detail.

Southend-on-Sea overview

Southend-on-Sea grammar schools at a glance

4 grammar schools sit in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. The early filters are school type, test route, catchment or distance rules, and the ordinary weekday journey.

Schools 4 schools
Main places Southend-on-Sea
School mix Boys' and girls'
Tests CSSE

What stands out

Southend-on-Sea has one local school cluster, so school type, test route and admissions detail carry more of the comparison than county geography.

School mix and route

The area includes both boys' and girls' schools, but no co-ed option. The schools here all sit in the Essex (CSSE) route, so the shared exam picture is easier to follow than in areas where every school tests differently. Distance and catchment rules matter at every school here. These schools are very competitive.

Area shape

What stands out in Southend-on-Sea

Southend-on-Sea is a compact local area. The main differences here are school type, test route, catchment, and how competitive each school is.

Local school cluster

Westcliff High School for Boys Academy, Westcliff High School for Girls, Southend High School for Girls, and Southend High School for Boys sit close together in one compact cluster with both boys' and girls' schools.

School mix

The area includes both boys' and girls' schools, but no co-ed option.

Shared route

The schools here all sit in the Essex (CSSE) route, so the shared exam picture is easier to follow than in areas where every school tests differently.

Admissions

Distance and catchment rules matter at every school here. These schools are very competitive.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Where are Southend-on-Sea grammar schools mainly concentrated?

Southend-on-Sea is a compact area. 4 grammar schools sit in the same local cluster rather than being spread across several different towns.

What types of grammar schools are in Southend-on-Sea?

The area includes both boys' and girls' schools, but no co-ed option.

Do the schools in Southend-on-Sea share one test?

The schools here all sit in the Essex (CSSE) route, so the shared exam picture is easier to follow than in areas where every school tests differently.

Which admissions detail varies most in Southend-on-Sea?

Distance and catchment rules matter at every school here. These schools are very competitive.