Southend High School for Boys 11 Plus (11+) CSSE Exam – Key Details 2024
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Table of Contents
Introduction
Southend High School for Boys is a selective grammar school founded in 1895 and situated in Prittlewell in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. The school holds academy status and provides education for boys between the ages of 11 and 18.
Southend High School for Boys adheres to the national curriculum, and its top priority is to cultivate academic excellence. Students’ progress is systematically evaluated, followed, and supervised so it can nourish strategic thinkers and independent learners. Parents are also highly encouraged to participate in their child’s learning journey, during which students gain a strong foundation in the English language, sciences, and mathematics.
Southend High School for Boys actively encourages its learners to continue their education beyond the classroom and offers a variety of extracurricular clubs, such as film clubs, board games, geography society, basketball, etc.
The school aims to nurture talent and provide an academic challenge for its students while ensuring they’re satisfied and happy. It places high expectations on the boys, requiring their full participation in the learning process. This includes attending classes, completing all the assignments, participating in group projects, asking questions, and taking advantage of opportunities for personal growth and development. To achieve this, the school has an extensive reward system in place for those fulfilling these requirements. In addition, to ensure mental health and well-being, the school offers ample support and guidance programmes.
Southend High School for Boys boasts an “Outstanding” score from Ofsted and takes great pride in its students’ achievements. Pupils constantly score highly in exams and secure their places at top-notch local and international universities. [1]
Southend High School for Boys 11 Plus (11+) Exam Information 2024
Address: Prittlewell Chase, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS0 0RG
Admissions info: enquiries@shsb.org.uk
School type: Boys’ grammar
Number of places in Year 7: 180
Open day date: June
11+ Exam date: September 2024
Pass mark: Aim for 80-85%+ in our practice tests. See below for more details.
Exam type / Board: CSSE (Essex 11 Plus)
Southend High School for Boys 11 Plus (11+) Admissions
Entry to Southend High School for Boys is dependent on student performance in the 11+ exam. Full details of the school’s admissions policy can be found in the Southend Borough Council booklet on Secondary School Admissions.
In instances where there are more applicants than available places, the school uses the following over-subscription criteria, giving priority to:
- Looked After and previously Looked After children
- Children whose parents’ primary residence is within the priority area
- Children whose parents’ primary residence is outside the priority area.
For further details on the school’s admissions criteria, please see the school’s admission pages. You can view the school’s exact location on the map below:
How to Apply for 11 Plus (11+) Entry to Southend High School for Boys
Prior to applying for a Year 7 place at Southend High School for Boys, you are advised to visit the school during its Open Day, which takes place in June. The event typically commences with a welcome speech by the Head. Tours of facilities will also take place.
To register for a Year 7 place at Southend High School for Boys, parents must complete two forms. The Supplementary Information Form (SIF) can be accessed through the CSSE website. For Essex residents, the next step would be to state Southend High School for Boys as the first-choice secondary school on the Essex Common Application Form (CAF).
Is Southend High School for Boys part of a Consortium?
Southend High School for Boys belongs to the Essex 11+ Consortium, a group of schools that use the same entrance exam format and share a very similar admissions process.
Does Southend High School for Boys have a catchment area?
Yes, Southend High School for Boys has a catchment area with priority based on location and distance from the school, covering the following postcode areas: SS0, SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5, SS6, SS7, SS8 and SS9.
Southend High School for Boys 11 Plus (11+) Exam Format
There is only one selection test for schools that are members of the CSSE to ensure that students don’t need to sit several exams.
The Southend High School for Boys 11+ assessment consists of two tests:
- English – covering comprehension, applied reasoning and creative writing;
- Mathematics – focusing on topics from the KS2 National Curriculum.
The test scores are age-standardised to ensure that older pupils don’t have an unfair advantage.
How to Prepare for the Southend High School for Boys 11 Plus (11+) Exam
One of the most effective ways for students to prepare for the CSSE 11 Plus exam is to work from a study schedule that outlines what topics need to be covered and when. At Exam Papers Plus, we also recommend that parents introduce practice tests into their child’s study routine to improve their exam technique.
Practicing with our resources allows students to become familiar with the types of questions they may encounter on the actual assessment. Additionally, taking our tests under timed conditions helps students develop their time management skills and perform well under pressure.
Our practice papers play a crucial role in preparing for the CSEE 11 Plus exam, leading to enhanced performance and long-term academic success. They are tailored to be age-appropriate and challenging and, as such, they are used by hundreds of thousands of students annually.
Southend High School for Boys 11 Plus (11+) Exam Pass Marks and Target Scores
Historical data shows that most schools in the area do not admit applicants who have a standardised score less than 303 in the CSSE. Exam results from previous years suggest this correlates with a score of roughly 80-85%+ in our 11+ Essex practice tests.
Whilst there are no guarantees, this has historically been a fairly strong indicator that your child should do well in the Southend High School for Boys 11+ exam. Please click here to learn more.
Southend High School for Boys 11 Plus (11+) Practice Exam Papers
We have a number of practice tests specifically designed to help students prepare for the Southend High School for Boys 11+ exam.
Full Practice Tests
11+ Essex (CSSE) Practice Test 1
11+ Essex (CSSE) Practice Test 2
11+ Essex (CSSE) Practice Test 3
11+ Essex (CSSE) Practice Test 4
11+ Essex (CSSE) Practice Test 5
11+ Essex (CSSE) Practice Test 6
11+ Essex (CSSE) Practice Test 7
11+ Essex (CSSE) Practice Test 8
11+ Essex (CSSE) Practice Test 9
11+ Essex (CSSE) Practice Test 10
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our CSSE Practice Tests for the Essex 11+ Exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
11+ Essex CSSE Tests 1-10 Bundle - Save 20%
✅ Alternatively, you can choose a bundle of five of our CSSE Practice Tests for the Essex 11+ Exam, and still save 15%. Select the relevant bundle below to learn more:
11+ Essex CSSE Tests 1-5 Bundle - Save 15%
11+ Essex CSSE Tests 6-10 Bundle - Save 15%
English
The CSSE 11+ English paper can include both multiple-choice and open-answer comprehension questions, as well as a writing section and a reasoning section.
Multiple-Choice Comprehension
For multiple-choice comprehension practice, we’d highly recommend:
Full Practice Tests
Skill specific practice
Standard Format Comprehension
For open-answer (standard format) comprehension and writing practice, we’d highly recommend these resources:
Comprehension
11+ Complete Comprehension Guide
Writing
Guides
11+ Essex (CSSE) Continuous Writing Guide
If you’d like to have your child’s writing assessed and marked, you may be interested in our Writing Marking Service. Please click here to learn more.
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended resources for the English section of the Essex 11+ Exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
11+ Essex English Bundle - Save 30%
Applied Reasoning Section
For the reasoning section, we’d highly recommend these practice tests:
Full Practice Tests
11+ Essex (CSSE) Applied Reasoning
Skill Specific Practice
Masterclasses
11+ Verbal Reasoning Masterclass
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended resources for the Applied Reasoning section of the Essex 11+ Exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
11+ Essex Applied Reasoning Bundle - Save 30%
Mathematics
The CSSE 11+ Maths paper covers the KS2 syllabus (including problem solving and arithmetic) as well as some non-verbal reasoning. The maths questions are not multiple-choice.
Mathematics (Standard Format)
We recommend using the following resources to help prepare for the maths exam:
Full Practice Tests
Skill specific practice
11+ Fractions, Decimals & Percentages
11+ Reflection, Rotation & Symmetry
✅ You can now purchase a bundle of all of our recommended resources for the Maths section of the Essex 11+ Exam at a large discount. Click the button below to learn more:
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Why do some of the recommendations above show me independent school papers?
The main difference between independent and grammar school papers is the question format. Independent schools usually assess with standard format questions, which means students need to write out full answers. Grammar schools usually use multiple-choice format questions.
Whilst Southend High School for Boys is a grammar school, they actually use the independent school (standard) format for some of their exams, which is why they are included in the recommendations above.
Don’t forget to use the code eppdiscount at checkout to get 10% off orders over £70 and 20% off orders over £250 if you don’t buy a bundle.
Our practice tests aim to show what sort of questions were included in Southend High School for Boys 11+ past papers. The information provided about Southend High School for Boys was believed to be correct at the time of publishing. However, please be aware of future changes. We advise you to contact the school directly if you are unsure of anything. School contact details are provided within the post.
Frequently Asked Questions About 11+ Entry to Southend High School for Boys
How old is Southend High School for Boys?
Southend High School for Boys was established in 1895.
Is Southend High School for Boys an academy?
Southend High School for Boys converted to academy status in 2011.
When are the Southend High School for Boys Open Days held?
Southend High School for Boys hosts Open Day in the summer term, usually in June, welcoming prospective families on campus for a lively event packed with activities.
What are the admissions criteria for Southend High School for Boys?
Southend High School for Boys assesses prospective pupils through the standardised CSSE 11+ exam, also used by other schools in the Essex Grammar School Consortium. The assessment covers English and Mathematics.
How do I register my child for the Southend High School for Boys 11+ test?
Parents applying to Southend High School for Boys must register their child for the 11+ exam by completing a Supplementary Information Form (SIF), which can be accessed through the CSSE website. Residents of Essex also need to state Southend High School for Boys as their preferred secondary school on the Common Application Form (CAF).
Can I apply for 11+ entry to a CSSE school other than Southend High School for Boys?
Yes, you can. All CSSE schools that you wish to apply for must be named as preferences on the Local Authority Common Application Form.
What’s the format of the Southend High School for Boys 11+ Exam?
All 11+ applicants for entry to Southend High School for Boys will be asked to sit the Essex CSSE exam which tests English comprehension, applied reasoning and creative writing, and mathematics topics from the KS2 National Curriculum.
Is there Non-Verbal Reasoning in the Southend High School for Boys 11+ Exam?
No, the Southend High School for Boys 11+ entrance exam does not test Non-Verbal Reasoning.
Is there any way to prepare for the Southend High School for Boys CSSE 11+ entrance examination?
One of the best ways to prepare for a challenging entrance exam, such as the CSSE, is to use practice tests. They will provide your son with the opportunity to become familiar with the format and question types that he will encounter in the actual exam. Our practice papers are used successfully every year by hundreds of thousands of students targeting schools with a competitive entrance exam.
Which are the best preparation materials for the Southend High School for Boys CSSE 11+ entrance examination?
We recommend beginning with a few full practice tests, such as this one. These will act as diagnostics so you can quickly work out which areas your child needs to focus on. You can then select the relevant topic based material listed above to target weaker areas. Please get in touch if you need advice on how to prepare or what to focus on for each section and stage of the exam.
Where can I find the best 11+ Southend High School for Boys CSSE mock test?
Our 11+ CSSE practice tests replicate the format and style of the actual exam, effectively preparing students for success in this competitive assessment. Each practice test is designed to mimic the full examination experience, covering relevant Maths and English question types. More details are available on this page.
What is the pass mark for the Southend High School for Boys CSSE 11+ Exam?
Historical data shows that most schools in the area do not admit applicants who have a standardised score less than 303 in the CSSE. Exam results from previous years suggest this correlates with a score of roughly 80-85%+ in our 11+ Essex practice tests.
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