Southend High School for Girls

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

Part of SOUTHEND HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS ACADEMY TRUST

Southchurch Boulevard, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 4UZ

01702 588852 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedOutstandingInspected 2 July 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths99%England 45% · 2024/25
1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 99% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,312Room for 1,338 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,186 in 2019, 1,182 in 2021, 1,252 in 2022, 1,245 in 2023, 1,238 in 2024, 1,253 in 2025, 1,312 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.2271 for 217 places, September 2026
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 84% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Outstanding at the inspection that started on 2 July 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

219 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
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 67% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
88% 84% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 87% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
95% 85% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 94% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
95% 79% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 62 parents whose child had been bullied
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 9% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
31% 38% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 147 parents who had raised a concern
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 40% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
67% 66% 76%
I would recommend this school to another parent
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 70% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
87%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

176 pupils in this year group.

99% — 42 points above the Southend-on-Sea average, and 54 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolSouthend-on-SeaEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 99% 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. 75 52.2 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 7.1 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: 97%This school 2023/24: 100%This school 2024/25: 99% This school England 45% 2022/23 97% 2023/24 100% 2024/25 99%

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.

99% — 5 points above the Southend-on-Sea average, and 7 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 92%
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. 99% 94% 92%
School sixth form 92% 58% 34%
Sixth form college 1% – 13%
Further education college 6% 30% 37%
Apprenticeship 0% 2% 3%
Work 0% 2% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
99%99%

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

181 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 39% 34% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 75% 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. 41.6 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: 38.6This school 2023/24: 41.6This school 2024/25: 41.6 This school England 35 2022/23 38.6 2023/24 41.6 2024/25 41.6

A level subjects, 2024/25

28 subjects, 570 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 70 11% 36% 40%
Psychology 54 13% 41% 19%
Biology 44 11% 41% 27%
Chemistry 43 7% 19% 30%
English Language 35 11% 46% 13%
English Literature 30 13% 43% 23%
Government and Politics 28 11% 46% 26%
Media/Film/Tv Studies 27 11% 63% 14%
History 24 13% 50% 23%
Physics 24 8% 25% 31%
Sociology 24 33% 63% 20%
Business Studies:Single 22 0% 18% 16%
Economics 20 10% 50% 26%
Geography 20 10% 30% 23%
Computer Studies / Computing 15 0% 13% 24%
Art and Design (Fine Art) 13 46% 77% 38%
Religious Studies 11 0% 36% 22%
Mathematics (Further) 10 0% 20% 59%
Spanish 9 22% 33% 34%
Design and Technology (Product Design) 8 25% 50% 15%
Drama and Theatre Studies 8 0% 13% 19%
French 8 0% 50% 38%
Classical Civilisation 7 0% 29% 23%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 6 0% 33% 17%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Design and Technology (Textiles Technology), German, Music, Law.

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.

187 students in this year group.

95% — 20 points above the Southend-on-Sea average, and 16 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. 95% 75% 79%
Apprenticeship 6% 7% 7%
Work 13% 32% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
93%95%

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.

162 students in this year group.

86% — 33 points above the Southend-on-Sea average, and 26 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolSouthend-on-SeaEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 86% 53% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 47% 19% 19%

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

2023/242024/25
82%86%

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 first-choice applications for every place.

Places offered217
Families who put it first271
Of those, offered a place161 (59%)
Families who listed it at all943

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.4 · 2025: 1.0 · 2026: 1.2

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

PupilsThis schoolSouthend-on-SeaEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 6% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
9.2% 22.8%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 3% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
0.4% 2.4%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 1% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
1.8% 10.9%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
3rd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 58% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
15.4% 12.9%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Lower than 92% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
5.2% 7.1%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Lower than 86% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
15.1% 19.5%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Lower than 98% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
0.6 14.3 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Lower than 98% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
0.6% 5.4% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils 0.00% 0.19% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 91% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
19.4 17.5 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
1st highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 96% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
15.4 12.8 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea.
Higher than 70% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
17.1% 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.

Nearby secondary schools

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

Questions parents ask

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

Southend High School for Girls was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its inspection in 2 July 2024.

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

In 2024/25, 99% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 54 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Southend High School for Girls?

87% of the 219 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Southend High School for Girls to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Southend High School for Girls oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 271 families put Southend High School for Girls as their first choice for 217 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 161 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.