Westcliff High School for Girls 11 plus is a common choice for families who want a selective girls grammar in Southend-on-Sea, with a sixth form that also admits boys. The school is in Westcliff on Sea, and the practical bits matter early, especially the test date, the priority admission area, and how far you are willing to commute day after day.
Most families feel calmer once two things are clear. First, this is a CSSE route, so the academic selection comes through one shared test used by several local grammar schools. Second, the oversubscription rules include a defined local area, then score and distance, so it helps to separate what you can control from what you cannot.
It also helps to keep your wider grammar school application UK timeline on one page so deadlines do not creep up unexpectedly. This simple internal checklist keeps it tidy: grammar school application UK timeline.
| Key detail | Information |
| Address | Kenilworth Gardens, Southend-on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 0BS, United Kingdom |
| School type | Selective girls grammar, mixed sixth form |
| Year 7 entry size | 192 places |
| Entry route | CSSE selection test, then local authority application |
| Who can apply | Girls for Year 7, must sit the test in person |
| Admissions priority | Priority admission area SS0 to SS9, then score and distance |
| Local authority | Southend-on-Sea |
| Contact | generalenquiries@whsg.info, 01702 476026 |
| Location |
The school publishes its address and main contact details on its contact page.
The easiest way to think about the route is admin steps first, then preparation steps.
Westcliff High School for Girls uses the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex selection test. Registration, access arrangements, and the full timetable are set out in the CSSE information guide for 2026 entry. Keep a simple folder with your confirmation, your child’s details, and any evidence needed for adjustments.
The CSSE assessment consists of two papers, English and mathematics. Scores are standardised, meaning your child’s age on the day is taken into account.
Results confirm whether your child has met the required standard and provide the score used for ranking. This is often the point where families refine their shortlist and do a realistic commute check.
Even with a strong score, a place is not automatic. Westcliff High School for Girls must be named on your Common Application Form by the published deadline.
Offers are issued on national offer day. If a place is not offered, joining the waiting list and considering an appeal are the usual next steps. Waiting list movement after March is normal, so staying organised helps.
The full oversubscription criteria and tie breaks are set out in the determined admissions arrangements for 2026 to 2027.
| Date | What it is |
| 13 May 2025 | CSSE registration opens |
| 27 June 2025 | CSSE registration deadline and SEN adjustment deadline |
| 20 September 2025 | Main CSSE test date |
| 30 September 2025 | Tuesday CSSE test date |
| 13 October 2025 | CSSE results issued to parents |
| 31 October 2025 | National closing date for secondary applications |
| 1 March 2026 | National offer date |
Westcliff High School for Girls does not operate a simple guaranteed catchment. Places are allocated by score, with distance used as the tie break when scores are equal.
The admissions arrangements define a priority admission area covering postcodes SS0 to SS9. Up to 154 of the 192 places are allocated to children living within that area, ranked by score and then distance.
Within the priority admission area, up to 15 places are reserved for children eligible for preferential consideration, ranked by score and distance. Outside the priority area, up to 4 additional places are set aside under the same criteria.
Distance is measured as a straight line from the child’s home address to the school, using the method set out in the admissions arrangements. Small differences can matter when scores cluster.
For entry in 2025, the admissions arrangements note that the lowest ranked offer score was 303. This figure can move up or down each year depending on the cohort and preferences, so it is best treated as context rather than a target.
Selection is exam led via the CSSE English and mathematics papers. There is no published interview stage for standard Year 7 entry, so preparation focuses on calm reading, accurate maths, and steady timing.
Preparation works best when it feels like training rather than judgement. For Westcliff High School for Girls, preparation needs to cover two papers and a highly competitive ranking system, particularly for families outside the priority area.
A steady weekly rhythm helps Year 5 stay manageable: Year 5 revision plan.
As a clear starting point, you can book a free 11 plus diagnostic session with Find Your Tutor FYT focused on Westcliff High School for Girls. It benchmarks your child’s current level and provides a personalised preparation roadmap for the months ahead.
Join Hundreds of Families Who Secured Westcliff High School for Girls Places with Find Your Tutor.
The key dates are listed in the key dates table above, including registration, the main test date, and results day. Registering early helps because access arrangements deadlines can arrive quickly.
The published route is the CSSE selection test with two tests, English and mathematics. Scores are standardised, then used for ranking and distance tie breaks.
No. Families can apply from outside the priority admission area, but the admissions arrangements explain that a large part of the intake is allocated to SS0 to SS9 postcodes first, then remaining places are allocated by score and distance.
A Tuesday sitting is published for children who qualify under the published criteria. It is not a second chance, it is there for specific circumstances with supporting evidence.
No. The published CSSE process requires children to attend in person.
The published admission number is 192 places for Year 7.
Children are ranked by their standardised CSSE score. Where scores are tied, distance from home to school is used as the tie break.
It refers to a defined group in the admissions arrangements with a set number of places reserved both inside and outside the priority admission area. It is worth checking the exact definition and evidence requirements early.
Yes. Sitting the test does not apply for a place by itself. The school must be listed on your local authority form by the deadline.
Offers are issued through the local authority coordinated system. Accepting an offered place does not stop you joining waiting lists or appealing for another school.
The admissions arrangements explain that the waiting list is held until 31 December of the admission year.
The published Year 7 selection route is exam led through CSSE, with places allocated by score and distance. There is no additional interview stage described for standard entry.
A mix of fiction and non fiction works well, with a focus on understanding, inference, and explaining answers clearly. Short, frequent discussions tend to help more than long forced sessions.
Strong Key Stage 2 foundations matter, especially fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio, and multi step reasoning. Clear working and careful checking protect marks when time is tight.
Timing practice, calm routines, and consistent review of mistakes usually beat learning brand new content. The aim is steady performance under pressure, not last minute intensity.
