Westcliff High School for Boys Academy
School summary
A selective state grammar for boys in Westcliff-on-Sea, this school carries a clean sweep of "Outstanding" judgements from Ofsted, with every inspected area - from quality of education to sixth form - rated at the top. With 1,292 pupils against a capacity of 1,300, it is a large school operating very close to full, a sign of sustained demand. Entry at 11 is highly competitive, with 185 places awarded through the CSSE consortium. The intake is mixed in background, including a notable proportion of pupils with English as an additional language.
How hard is it to get in?
Highly competitive · 4 of 5 on the Passmate scale. Applications far outnumber the 185 Year 7 places each September, so exam performance matters more here than at most selective schools.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
Key dates · 2028 entry
Free month · No payment needed
Latest results
Attainment 8
77.6
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
98%
National average 47%
GCSE grade 9-7
75%
National average 23%
A-level A*-A
51%
National average 28%
A-level A*-B
78%
National average 55%
Inspection reports
- Ofsted overall
- Outstanding
- Quality of education
- Outstanding
- Behaviour & attitudes
- Outstanding
- Last inspected
- 21 November 2023
Teaching & academics
Results sit well above national benchmarks: an Attainment 8 score of 77.6 compares with a national average of 46.9, and 98% of pupils secure grade 5 or above in English and Maths, against 47% nationally. The pupil-to-teacher ratio of around 19.5 reflects a busy, full school rather than small classes. Ofsted rated both the quality of education and the sixth form as Outstanding.
Languages
Headmaster · Michael A Skelly
Beyond the classroom
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1920
- Religious character
- None
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 2.94%
- EHC plans
- 0.31%
- English as additional language
- 17.6%
- Free school meals
- 6%
Mobile phone policy
Pupils may bring mobile telephones into School, but if a phone is switched on or goes off during the School day the pupil is liable to punishment and confiscation. The Behaviour Policy also states that the School's full policy on mobile phone use is set out in its separate Mobile Phone Policy.
Schools nearby
Southend High School for Girls
Southend-on-Sea, East of England
Rainham Mark Grammar School
Gillingham, South East
Fort Pitt Grammar School
Chatham, South East
Holcombe Grammar School
Chatham, South East
Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School
Rochester, South East
Gravesend Grammar School
Gravesend, South East
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A consistently high-performing boys' grammar where strong results and across-the-board Outstanding judgements meet stiff 11+ competition for a limited number of places.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
Free month · No payment needed
Westcliff High School for Boys Academy 11+: frequently asked questions
Passmate rating: benchmarked against every selective school in England using official admissions data. It measures demand for places, not school quality. Updated July 2026.
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.