St Bernard's High School, Westcliff: selective places

St Bernard's is partially selective. A limited share of its intake is chosen by ability; everything else is decided without any test.

• Places given by CSSE test performance (criterion 1): up to 30Source for St Bernard’s High School: Selective places (2027)St Bernard’s High School: Selective places (2027)CloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Bernard's High School.The source says: Up to 30 pupils granted priority admission on the basis of their performance in the selection test procedure organised by the Consortium of Selective Schools in EssexView the official source, for girls living in the SS0 to SS9 postcode areas
• The remaining places: Non-selective places fill the intake up to 175 after selective places.Source for St Bernard’s High School: Non selective placesSt Bernard’s High School: Non selective placesCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: Non-Selective places will be offered to bring the total intake for the year to 175.View the official source
• What the policy says about scores: Criterion 1: up to 30 girls 'granted priority admission on the basis of their performance' in the CSSE selection test who live in postcode areas SS0-SS9. No pass mark or score threshold is stated in the policy (council booklet summary says girls who have 'passed the 11+ Exam Selective Test').Source for St Bernard’s High School: Qualifying rule (2027)St Bernard’s High School: Qualifying rule (2027)CloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Bernard's High School.The source says: Up to 30 pupils granted priority admission on the basis of their performance in the selection test procedure organised by the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex ( and whose normal place of residence lies within the postcode areas of SS0, SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5, SS6, SS7, SS8 and SS9 (map below).View the official source
• Applying for both kinds of place: Selective and main-criteria admission run together: one CAF preference with the selective tick box; the child is considered for a selective place and automatically under the main criteria.Source for St Bernard’s High School: Selective non selective interactionSt Bernard’s High School: Selective non selective interactionCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: Admission to these three schools through the selection test is in addition to admission through their main admission criteria. This means that if you are applying for a selective place at any of these schools you only need to put one preference for the school on your application. You should indicate on the application form in the tick box that you are applying for a selective place. You will automatically be considered through the main criteria as well as this does not count as an additional preference.View the official source
• How to be considered for a selective place: Apply for a selective place through the CSSE (registration opens early May of Year 5; test in September); name the school on the home LA's Common Application Form.Source for St Bernard’s High School: Registration route (2027)St Bernard’s High School: Registration route (2027)CloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Bernard's High School.The source says: If you wish to apply for a selective place you must complete the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE) application. The CSSE continues to administer the selective test process. ... Therefore registration for the selective test begins early in May when your child is in Year 5.View the official source

So a girl who sat the test is not limited to the selective route: she is also ranked under the faith-based criteria. A girl who did not sit it can still apply in the usual way. CSSE registration for 2027 entry closed on Friday 19 June 2026Source for Essex and Southend (CSSE) 2027 entry: Registration closesEssex and Southend (CSSE) 2027 entry: Registration closesCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE).The source says: 19th June 2026 Absolute CSSE deadline to register online OR by post.View the official source, and the test itself was on Saturday 19 September 2026Source for Essex and Southend (CSSE) 2027 entry: Test dateEssex and Southend (CSSE) 2027 entry: Test dateCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: 19 September | 11 plus selection test to be taken by those pupils whose parents have registered for ... 2026 | them to take the test with the CSSE.View the official source. The policy names no minimum score, but each last selective place recorded on CSSE's sheets went to a girl at or above the consortium's qualifying score of 303Source for Essex and Southend (CSSE): Qualifying scoreEssex and Southend (CSSE): Qualifying scoreCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE).The source says: CSSE secondary school offers are not made to any child who has scored under a total standardised score of 303.View the official source. For the test format, see the CSSE guide.

General information, not legal advice.

• Who to send it to: Appeal to an Independent Appeals Committee; policy says appeals go to the Correspondent to the Governors; website says use the Notice of Appeal form sent to the Admissions Officer.Source for St Bernard’s High School: Appeals route (2027)St Bernard’s High School: Appeals route (2027)CloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Bernard's High School.The source says: Appeals against a decision of the Governors should be addressed to the Correspondent to the Governors within 2 weeks of the receipt of the decision. These appeals will be considered by an Independent Appeals Committee, before which parents are entitled to attend.View the official source
• Deadline: awaiting confirmation (see Key dates); sources disagree and we are checking.
• Hearings: on-time appeals are to be heard by Wednesday 16 June 2027Source for St Bernard’s High School: Appeals heard by 2027St Bernard’s High School: Appeals heard by 2027CloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Bernard's High School.The source says: On time appeals must be heard by 16 June 2027View the official source.
• Appealing for a selective place: For grammar/selective places parents may use school reports as evidence of academic ability; no primary-school letter needed.Source for Essex and Southend (CSSE): Selective evidenceEssex and Southend (CSSE): Selective evidenceCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: If you are appealing for a grammar or selective place you can use school reports for evidence of academic ability.View the official source

Because the policy and the school's website name different people, follow the instructions on the refusal letter if in doubt. Recent appeal numbers are in the table above. See also CSSE appeals.