Southend High School for Boys

Grammar school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Boys only · Sixth form

Part of SOUTHEND HIGH SCHOOL FOR BOYS ACADEMY TRUST

Prittlewell Chase, Southend-on-Sea, SS0 0RG

01702 606200 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedOutstandingInspected 12 June 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths97%England 45% · 2024/25
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 98% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,332Room for 1,060 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,258 in 2019, 1,318 in 2021, 1,317 in 2022, 1,317 in 2023, 1,340 in 2024, 1,325 in 2025, 1,332 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.7308 for 177 places, September 2026
1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 96% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 12 June 2024.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationOutstanding
Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
Personal developmentOutstanding
Leadership and managementOutstanding
Sixth formOutstanding
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

299 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.

Southend-on-Sea comparisons use the 3 of its 5 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 2 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.

StatementThis schoolSouthend-on-SeaEngland
My child is happy at this school
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 98% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
98% 84% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 96% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
98% 85% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 97% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
97% 79% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 69 parents whose child had been bullied
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 82% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
61% 38% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 170 parents who had raised a concern
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 94% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
88% 66% 76%
I would recommend this school to another parent
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 99% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
99%said yes 82% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Southend-on-Sea figures pool parents at the Southend-on-Sea schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

178 pupils in this year group.

97% — 40 points above the Southend-on-Sea average, and 52 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolSouthend-on-SeaEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 97% 57% 45%
Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. 73.8 52.2 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 6.6 4.6 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
20% 40% 60% 80% 100% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 99%This school 2023/24: 98%This school 2024/25: 97% This school England 45% 2022/23 99% 2023/24 98% 2024/25 97%

Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.

Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After Year 11

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

178 pupils in this year group.

100% — 6 points above the Southend-on-Sea average, and 8 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 93%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolSouthend-on-SeaEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 100% 94% 92%
School sixth form 93% 58% 34%
Sixth form college 1% – 13%
Further education college 4% 30% 37%
Apprenticeship 0% 2% 3%
Work 1% 2% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
100%100%

Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25

216 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolSouthend-on-SeaEngland
Average A level grade B B- B-
A level exams graded A* or A 46% 34% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 80% 63% 53%
Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. 40.8 37.7 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 45 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 39.5This school 2023/24: 40.6This school 2024/25: 40.8 This school England 35 2022/23 39.5 2023/24 40.6 2024/25 40.8

A level subjects, 2024/25

25 subjects, 665 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 113 29% 59% 40%
Economics 55 18% 55% 26%
Government and Politics 53 6% 40% 26%
Psychology 52 13% 37% 19%
Biology 51 16% 35% 27%
Chemistry 46 20% 46% 30%
Business Studies:Single 42 10% 31% 16%
Physics 37 19% 54% 31%
History 32 6% 34% 23%
Mathematics (Further) 31 23% 65% 59%
Computer Studies / Computing 27 22% 67% 24%
English Literature 19 11% 37% 23%
Geography 18 11% 33% 23%
Religious Studies 18 17% 56% 22%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 15 7% 13% 17%
Drama and Theatre Studies 9 0% 22% 19%
English Language and Literature 9 11% 44% 16%
Design and Technology (Product Design) 7 14% 71% 15%
French 7 14% 57% 38%
Music Technology 7 0% 0% 15%
Art and Design (Fine Art) 6 33% 67% 38%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Spanish, Music, German, Portuguese.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After sixth form

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

198 students in this year group.

90% — 15 points above the Southend-on-Sea average, and 11 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolSouthend-on-SeaEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 90% 75% 79%
Apprenticeship 5% 7% 7%
Work 17% 32% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
94%90%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Going on to university

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

224 students in this year group.

79% — 26 points above the Southend-on-Sea average, and 19 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolSouthend-on-SeaEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 79% 53% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 46% 19% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
85%79%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Admissions

Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Southend-on-Sea. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.

How hard is it to get in?

For the September 2026 intake there were about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.

Places offered177
Families who put it first308
Of those, offered a place150 (49%)
Families who listed it at all1,095

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.5 · 2025: 1.5 · 2026: 1.7

This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.

This is a grammar school: places depend on passing an entrance test (the 11 plus), usually taken in September of Year 6.

Admissions dates and schools in Southend-on-Sea

Pupils, staff and SEND

Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 15 places for autism. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.

PupilsThis schoolSouthend-on-SeaEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 4% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
7.5% 22.8%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 16% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
1.5% 2.4%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 2% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
2.9% 10.9%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 34% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
7.3% 12.9%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Lower than 98% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
4.4% 7.1%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Lower than 98% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
8.4% 19.5%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Lower than 96% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
1.1 14.3 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Lower than 97% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
0.7% 5.4% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils 0.00% 0.19% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 85% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
18.7 17.5 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 85% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
13.6 12.8 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 17% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
8.1% 14.7%* 14.2%*

Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.

SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).

Nearby secondary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Southend High School for Boys's Ofsted rating?

Southend High School for Boys was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 12 June 2024.

How did Southend High School for Boys do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 97% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 52 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Southend High School for Boys?

99% of the 299 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Southend High School for Boys to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Southend High School for Boys oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 308 families put Southend High School for Boys as their first choice for 177 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 150 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

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Page updated 26 September 2026.