Southend High School for Girls
About Southend High School for Girls
Parents considering Southend High School for Girls will be reassured by the strong signals of satisfaction from those who know it best. The school is heavily oversubscribed, receiving 889 applications for 222 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, a ratio of four applicants for every place. Of those, 217 put it as their first preference, and 144 first-preference offers were made, indicating that even families who prioritise the school face significant competition. The school is a girls-only state secondary with a sixth form, located in Southend-on-Sea, and has a capacity of 1,269 pupils, currently housing 1,253. Just 8.8% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, a figure below the national average. The headteacher is Jason Carey, and the school has no religious character. In its most recent Ofsted inspection, conducted in July 2024, the school was rated Outstanding across every category, including quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
2 Jul 2024Source: Ofsted, 9 Sept 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
14Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Southend High School for Girls
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
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications