Southend High School for Boys vs Westcliff High School for Boys Academy
Both are grammar schools in Southend-on-Sea, 1.1 miles apart. Side-by-side on official DfE, Ofsted and council admissions data.
Side by side
| Southend High School for Boys | Westcliff High School for Boys Academy | |
|---|---|---|
| Phase | Secondary | Secondary |
| Gender | Boys | Boys |
| Pupils on roll | 1,325 | 1,292 |
| Free school meals | 7.4% | 6% |
| Ofsted rating | Outstanding | Outstanding |
| Attainment 8 — 2024/25 | 73.8 | 77.6 |
| A-level average points — 2024/25 | 40.79 | 43.27 |
| 11+ test board | GL Assessment | GL Assessment |
| Admission system | pass/fail then criteria order | pass/fail then criteria order |
| Places offered — 202627 | 177 | 182 |
| First preferences per place — higher means more competition for a first-preference place | 1.74 | 1.54 |
Qualifying scores
Southend High School for Boys
305 (2025 entry)
Lowest score inside priority area on National Offer Day. Outside area cutoff: 342. CSSE test.
Westcliff High School for Boys Academy
309 (2025 entry)
Lowest score inside priority area on National Offer Day. Outside area cutoff: 351. CSSE test.
Who gets priority
Where a school is oversubscribed, these are the first criteria applied, in order. This is usually what decides an application.
Southend High School for Boys
- Looked after children and previously looked after children
- Children with exceptional medical/social needs
- Children from designated feeder primary schools or living in defined priority area
- Siblings of children on roll at the school
Source: school admissions policy.
Westcliff High School for Boys Academy
- Looked after children and previously looked after children
- Children with exceptional medical/social needs
- Children from designated feeder primary schools or living in defined priority area
- Siblings of children on roll at the school
Source: school admissions policy.
Choosing between them
Both schools admit boys, so the decision usually comes down to the admission criteria above and how far each one reaches. The figures on this page are the published ones — they describe intakes and results, not what either school would be like for your child. The right choice depends on your family's own priorities and circumstances.
Other Southend-on-Sea comparisons
- Southend High School for Boys vs Southend High School for Girls
- Southend High School for Boys vs Westcliff High School for Girls
- Southend High School for Girls vs Westcliff High School for Boys Academy
- Southend High School for Girls vs Westcliff High School for Girls
- Westcliff High School for Boys Academy vs Westcliff High School for Girls
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