Best Secondary Schools in Southend-on-Sea 2026

Ranked by Ofsted rating, exam results, attendance, and class sizes. 12 schools across Southend-on-Sea. Updated with 2025–26 data.

Southend-on-Sea has 12 secondary schools, of which 5 (42%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and a further 4 rated Good — 75% of secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea are rated Good or Outstanding overall. Westcliff High School for Boys Academy currently leads the local rankings on our composite SNM Score.

Application deadlines in Southend-on-Sea follow the national calendar: 31 October for Year 7 secondary entry and 15 January for Reception primary entry. Offers go out on 1 March and 16 April respectively.

12
Total schools
5
Outstanding
42%
Outstanding rate
63.1%
Avg KS2 SATs
45.1
Avg GCSE A8
All schools Primary Secondary
Rank School Ofsted SNM Score
🥇 Westcliff High School for Boys Academy
Secondary
 Outstanding 98 View school
🥈 Southend High School for Boys
Secondary
 Outstanding 98 View school
🥉 Southend High School for Girls
Secondary
 Outstanding 98 View school
4. Westcliff High School for Girls
Secondary
 Outstanding 98 View school
5. The Eastwood Academy
Secondary
 Outstanding 74 View school
6. St Bernard's High School
Secondary
 Good 71 View school
7. St Thomas More High School
Secondary
 Good 68 View school
8. Shoeburyness High School
Secondary
 Good 49 View school
9. Belfairs Academy
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 49 View school
10. Cecil Jones Academy
Secondary
 Good 46 View school
11. Southchurch High School
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 41 View school
12. Chase High School
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 36 View school

Related lists for Southend-on-Sea

All schools in Southend-on-SeaPrimary & secondary combined Primary schools in Southend-on-SeaReception–Year 6 only Outstanding schools in Southend-on-Sea5 schools rated Outstanding

See full data for any school in Southend-on-Sea

Catchment distances, exam trends, SEN data, attendance, and more — all in one place.

Search schools in Southend-on-Sea

Frequently asked questions

How many secondary schools are there in Southend-on-Sea?
There are 12 secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea, of which 5 (42%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
What are the best schools in Southend-on-Sea?
Based on our composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance and class sizes, the top school in Southend-on-Sea is Westcliff High School for Boys Academy. See the full ranked list above.
How do I apply for a school place in Southend-on-Sea?
Primary and secondary school applications in Southend-on-Sea are managed by the Local Authority. Applications for secondary places typically open in September for the following academic year. Visit the Southend-on-Sea council website for application forms and deadlines.
What is the average Ofsted rating in Southend-on-Sea?
42% of secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea are rated Outstanding and 33% are rated Good. 76.3% are rated Good or Outstanding.

Data sourced from Ofsted, Department for Education, and ISI. School rankings reflect the Schools Near Me composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance, and pupil-teacher ratios. Last updated April 2026.