Southchurch High School
96%
Capacity
805
Pupils
2.0x
Demand
About Southchurch High School
Just over a third of parents who responded to the most recent Parent View survey would recommend Southchurch High School, with 33% saying yes and 67% saying no. The survey, which ran from September 2024 to September 2025, drew 125 responses and paints a mixed picture. On the positive side, 78% of parents agreed or strongly agreed that their child can take part in clubs and activities, and 60% agreed or strongly agreed that their child does well at the school. However, the school is significantly oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry, it received 317 applications for 156 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 2.03. Of those, 136 were first-preference applications, and all 136 received offers. This suggests that while the school has its critics, it remains a popular choice among local families, particularly those who prioritise it as their first option.
Academically, the school's most recent Progress 8 score was -0.72, which is well below the national average and places it 8th out of 10 schools in Southend-on-Sea. The local authority average Progress 8 score is 0.12, so Southchurch is performing significantly below its peers. Attainment 8 stands at 34.2, and just 35.4% of pupils achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths. Only 7.6% entered the EBacc, and 2.5% achieved it. In its most recent Ofsted inspection in November 2023, the school was rated Requires Improvement across all categories, including behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership. This was an upgrade from its previous inspection in March 2022, when it was rated Inadequate. The school has no sixth form, so pupils leave at 16.
Southchurch High School is a mixed, non-religious secondary for pupils aged 11 to 16, with 805 pupils on roll against a capacity of 840. It serves a community with a high level of disadvantage: 43% of pupils are eligible for free school meals. The school lists a wide range of facilities, including an ICT suite, art studios, music rooms, a theatre, astro turf, and a gymnasium. Sports on offer include basketball, netball, swimming, and rugby, while clubs include chess, gardening, debate, and an eco club. The school provides support for a range of SEND needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language communication needs, and social, emotional and mental health difficulties. However, the Parent View data shows that 59% of parents strongly disagreed that the school gives SEND children the support they need, which is a significant concern. This school may suit families who value its broad extracurricular offer and its place in the local community, but the academic and pastoral data suggests it is still on a journey of improvement.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Southchurch Boulevard, Southend-On-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 4XA |
| Headteacher | Tracy Airoll |
| Local Authority | Southend-on-Sea |
| Number of Pupils | 805 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 43.0% |
| School Capacity | 805 / 840 (96% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
15 Nov 2023Overall Effectiveness
Requires improvement
Source: Ofsted, 19 Dec 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.72)
2864th of 3,141
Nationally
323rd of 350
In East of England
8th of 10
In Southend-on-Sea
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
Where GCSE leavers go
2022/2315%
of GCSE leavers stay on for sixth form at this school (cohort: 96 pupils).
- FE college60%
- School sixth form (stay)15%
- Not sustained13%
- Employment6%
- Sixth form college1%
- Apprenticeship1%
83% of leavers had a sustained destination 6 months on.
Source: DfE Compare School & College Performance, KS4 pupil destinations 2022/23 (revised). Only state-funded schools are required to report.
Ofsted Parent View
125 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
11Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
16Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed156
317
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
136 families put this school as their 1st choice (43% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Half of schools in England do better than this.
Better than half of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Among the highest-disadvantage schools.
Above the national median (10%) — a meaningful share speak English as an additional language.
Ethnic background
- White British71.1%
- White (other)8.4%
- Mixed5.8%
- Asian4.5%
- Black1.0%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Permanent exclusion is rare — most schools have none in a given year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
7
Total schools
5
Oversubscribed
5
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Southchurch High School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Southchurch Boulevard, Southend-On-Sea
Southend-on-Sea, SS2 4XA
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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