Southchurch High School
Southend-On-Sea, SS2 4XA · Southend-on-Sea · secondary school
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10th of 12 secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 4.9/10 against 440 of them, against 2.7/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 13 | 35% | 0.44 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 40.1 · 38 | 30% | 1.13 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.72 · 8 | 25% | 0.19 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 44.5 · 42 | 10% | 0.42 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Southchurch High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 23.6% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 38.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.72 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (1.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.9 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in March 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 722 pupils against a stated capacity of 840. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific steps are taken to improve progress scores for students starting from lower baselines? How does the new Ofsted framework influence current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about Southchurch High School
Overview
The report describes a school where leaders have taken "highly effective action" to significantly improve the quality of provision, resulting in a "calm" and purposeful environment. While current pupils are acquiring knowledge well and behaviour has improved markedly, historical underachievement means many past students left without essential skills. The school is fulfilling the expected standard in most areas, though attendance and final exam results require further attention.
Strengths
- Leaders have "significantly improved the quality and ambition of the curriculum," ensuring knowledge builds logically and staff consistently check learning.
- Behaviour standards have risen sharply; the school is "notably calm" with rare low-level disruption and robust handling of bullying.
- Effective support is in place for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, enabling them to "fully access the curriculum."
- The personal development programme is "relevant and engaging," covering citizenship, health, and relationships, while the careers programme raises aspirations.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure pupils "typically achieve in line or above the national averages in exams at the end of key stage 4," as too many have previously left without important knowledge.
- Attendance needs refinement, as "some groups of pupils still miss too much school" despite recent improvements and tenacious work by leaders.
- Staff should develop expertise to consistently enhance opportunities for pupils with barriers to learning, and leaders should refine work on oracy and resilience.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" ensuring pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 34.2 |
| 2024/25 | 38.7 |
| 2025/26 | 44.5 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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