Westcliff High School for Girls
110%
Capacity
1,342
Pupils
5.0x
Demand
About Westcliff High School for Girls
Westcliff High School for Girls is a state-funded None secondary school serving the Southend-on-Sea community, welcoming girls from age 11 to 18. The school has 1,342 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (110% of 1,224 places).
the school is led by headteacher Emma Matthews, it falls under Southend-on-Sea local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.90 is well above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is strong at 76.9. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of B. Additionally, placing it in the top 5% of schools nationally. Additionally, ranked 123rd out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 2nd out of 10 in Southend-on-Sea.
Westcliff High School for Girls is a popular choice with families — it received 882 applications for 178 places, making it 5.0x oversubscribed. Of these, 302 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 8 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 5 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Westcliff High School for Girls include Swimming Pool, Playing Fields, Sixth Form Centre, Theatre, Library, ICT Suite, Sports Hall, Dining Hall, Science Labs.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Tennis, Netball, Basketball, Hockey and 4 more, as well as clubs including Book Club, Eco Club, Coding, Young Enterprise and 3 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 8.5%, which is well below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea, Westcliff High School for Girls is one of the options available in the East of England region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Girls |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Kenilworth Gardens, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, SS0 0BS |
| Headteacher | Emma Matthews |
| Local Authority | Southend-on-Sea |
| Number of Pupils | 1,342 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 8.5% |
| School Capacity | 1,342 / 1,224 (110% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
6 Feb 2024Overall Effectiveness
Outstanding
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 19 Mar 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.90)
123rd of 3,141
Nationally
14th of 350
In East of England
2nd of 10
In Southend-on-Sea
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly more 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.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
44.8
'22/23
39.5
'23/24
41.5
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
15Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed178
882
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
302 families put this school as their 1st choice (34% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Westcliff 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
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Kenilworth Gardens, Westcliff-on-Sea
Southend-on-Sea, SS0 0BS
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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