Southend High School for Boys

Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is an outstanding school.

The headteacher and other leaders have a clear vision for students who, as a result, excel academically, but also contribute extremely well to society. Leaders at all levels have driven up students' progress so that all groups of students gain very high examination results across a wide range of subjects at both GCSE and GCE A level. An ethos of excellence in both academic achievement and a wide range of activities permeates all aspects of the school.

High quality music wafted into the inspection base room as students practised the pipe organ and piano. The school contributes very successfully to art exhibitions, business competi...tions and international sporting challenges. The curriculum is very broad and prepares students exceptionally well and in a variety of ways, for their adult lives.

Highly effective teaching across the school is consistently at least good and often outstanding. This is monitored rigorously by school leaders and governors. Students' behaviour both around the school and during lessons is excellent.

Their mature attitude and contribution to lessons plays a very positive role in their achievement. Students throughout the school, including the sixth form, are thirsty for new knowledge and new experiences. The school's work to keep the students safe is outstanding.

It is monitored regularly and rigorously. The sixth form is outstanding. Most students attain very high grades across a range of subjects and most students gain places at leading universities.

Parents, staff and students are all extremely positive about all aspects of the school. The highly positive impact of governance is to be found in the school's academic and other successes.

Information about this school

This is a slightly larger than average-sized secondary school.

Admission to the school is selective. There are very few students who are supported by pupil premium funding. At a little over one in twenty students, this is a much smaller proportion than that found in other schools in the town.

Pupil premium is extra funding provided by the government for some groups of students including those known to be eligible for free school meals and those in the care of the local authority. Students supported by pupil premium funding are referred to in Ofsted reports as 'disadvantaged'. The proportion of students who are disabled or have special educational needs is low.

It represents fewer than one in twenty students. The majority of students are White British and speak English as their first language. There are small proportions of students from a range of other ethnic groups.

Ten sixth form students study computing at St. Thomas More High School. The school meets the government floor standard, which is the minimum expectation for attainment and progress in English and mathematics by the end of Year 11.