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Southend High School for Girls 11+ entrance test
Southend High School for Girls is a girls’ state grammar school in Southend-on-Sea for ages 11 to 18. Children applying for a Year 7 place sit the CSSE 11+ test for Essex and Southend. This page explains that test and how to prepare. Admission rules change, so always check the school’s own admissions policy.
School at a glance
- School
- Girls’ state grammar school
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Area
- Southend-on-Sea
- Website
- www.shsg.org
Source: Get Information about Schools (Department for Education), read 1 November 2026. NITU is not connected with the school.
The test
What we know about the CSSE 11+ test for Essex and Southend. Each detail is labelled with where it comes from.
- Reported
- Two written papers on the same day, English and maths, with no verbal or non-verbal reasoning. English is about 1 hour plus 10 minutes’ reading time, with comprehension of an unseen text and a continuous writing task; maths is about 1 hour, Key Stage 2 content, no calculator.
- Reported
- Answers are written on the paper rather than on a multiple-choice sheet, and working out is allowed. Each paper is marked out of 60; the two are equally weighted and then age-standardised.
- Reported
- For 2027 entry, registration ran from 12 May to 19 June 2026 and the test was on Saturday 19 September 2026. For 2028 entry, CSSE has said important dates will be published by Easter 2027 and registration will open in May 2027.
- Reported
- A minimum total standardised score of 303 has been reported for offers; each school applies its own admission rules and reaching the score does not guarantee a place.
- Not published
- The number of questions, the split of English marks (40 for reading, 20 for writing), the marks for each maths question and the writing mark scheme. These are not published.
- Reported
- Chelmsford County High School for Girls is reported to use a different test (FSCE) and is covered by the FSCE-format English and maths handbook instead.
The English paper includes a continuous writing task that counts towards the English mark; our split of 20 marks for writing is our assumption.
Check with the CSSE website (csse.org.uk) and each school’s website before relying on any detail.
Other schools that use this test
- Colchester County High School for Girls, Colchester
- Colchester Royal Grammar School, Colchester
- King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
- Southend High School for Boys, Southend-on-Sea
- Westcliff High School for Boys Academy, Westcliff-on-Sea
- Westcliff High School for Girls, Westcliff-on-Sea
How to prepare
- Practise writing answers in full, showing working in maths and using evidence from the text in English: marks are given for method and explanation, not just the final answer.
- Practise a timed piece of writing every week or two: five minutes planning, then a clear opening, middle and ending.
- Sit full mock tests under timed conditions only every week or two, and spend the time in between on the question types that cost marks.
Read our full guide to this test.
Practice papers for this test
Original mock papers based on the published format, with answers explained. Every option has a free sample.
Four full mock tests with written English (comprehension and writing) and maths papers, mark schemes and a parent guide.
Four more full mock tests in the same format as Set 1, with new questions throughout, answer sheets, answers and the parent guide.
A revision handbook for the Essex and Southend (CSSE): 57 lessons teaching the methods for maths and English, with worked examples, practice questions, must-know lists and a 12-week plan.
Everything for this test in one download: Set 1 and Set 2 (eight full mock tests) and the revision handbook. £39.97 if bought separately.
Questions parents ask
Which 11+ test does Southend High School for Girls use?
Children applying for a Year 7 place sit the CSSE 11+ test for Essex and Southend. Arrangements can change from year to year, so check the school’s admissions policy.
Is Southend High School for Girls a boys’, girls’ or mixed school?
The Department for Education’s register lists it as a girls’ school for ages 11 to 18. It has a sixth form. Some schools admit other pupils into the sixth form, so check the school’s website.
Does a good test score guarantee a place?
No. A test score on its own does not guarantee a place. Places are offered under the school’s admission rules, which can include a qualifying score, distance or other criteria. Read the school’s admissions policy for the year you are applying.
Are your papers produced by the school?
No. NITU is independent. Our papers are original practice material based on the published format of the test; they are not produced or endorsed by Southend High School for Girls or any test provider.
Sources: check these yourself
The facts on this page come from these official pages. Use them to check anything before you rely on it.
- Department for Education register: Southend High School for Girls
- Southend High School for Girls: school website
Links checked in November 2026. Schools and councils update their pages each year, and the school’s current admissions policy always comes first.