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St Thomas More High School, Westcliff: selective places

Kenilworth Gardens, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 0BW

Facts checked 19 October 2026By ExamKind Editorial TeamSchool website

Some details are being re-checked

We check every fact against the official source on a schedule, and some details on this page are due their next check (last verified 19 October 2026). We'll update the page if anything has changed. How we check facts

Can we apply, and what did it take?

For September 2027 entry

  • 303or more

    CSSE 11+ examination (English and Mathematics), 2027 entry

    Checked, source: Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE), checked

  • Year 7 places

    180

    2027 entry, Published Admission Number ()

    Checked, source: St Thomas More High School, checked

  • Lowest score offered

    303

    2026 entry, inside priority area, national offer day

    Checked, source: Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE), checked

Your next deadlines

  1. Next: School place applications close: Common Application Form ()

    in 11 days

  2. Coming up: Appeal deadline

    in 25 weeks

How far offers reached

Can we get in?

How far offers reached

Each bar shows how far from St Thomas More High School the last child offered a place lived, under the last admission rule the offers reached. Up to five years, on one scale.

Qualifying is not the same as being offered a place.

A score of 303 or more in the CSSE 11+ examination (English and Mathematics) means your child can be considered. If more children qualify than there are places, the school gives places using its admission rules, in order. The figures below show how far those rules reached in past years. They are history, not a prediction: they change every year with who applies.

Checked, source: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked
No distance figures publishedWe have not found a checked figure for how far offers reached at St Thomas More High School. We add each year's figures after National Offer Day, when the council or school publishes them.

Lowest score offered a place

Scores are on the aggregate score scale.

Inside priority area

  1. 2026 entryOffer day

    On National Offer Day, the lowest score offered a place was 303.

  2. 2025 entryOffer day

    On National Offer Day, the lowest score offered a place was 303.

  3. 2024 entry
    No selective places offered

    Published as “No selective places offered”.

  4. 2023 entry
    No selective offers made March 2023.

    Published as “No selective offers made March 2023.”.

  5. 2022 entryOffer day

    On National Offer Day, the lowest score offered a place was 303.

Source: Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE), checked

Other published figures

  • 2026 entry: Last admission rule that offers reached: Practicing Christians who desire for a Catholic education

Source: Southend-on-Sea City Council, checked

About these figures

How the selective places have actually been used:

In some recent years no selective offers were made at all, while for 2026 entry the school made 18St Thomas More High School: Selective offers 2026Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: Allocation Data for St Thomas More High School 2022-2026 DFE 882-5447 ... 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 ... Selective | 18 | <5 | 0 | 0 | <5View the official source against up to 30St Thomas More High School: Selective places (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against St Thomas More High School.The source says: Up to 30 places will be offered to boys who have passed the 11+ Exam Selective Test as administered by the Consortium of Selective Schools in EssexView the official source places. A dash means the council booklet shows only a very small number, or no figure, for that year. CSSE's sheet with 2026 entry scores is due on Monday 12 October 2026Essex and Southend (CSSE): Historical guidance sheet2027 entry publicationChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE).The source says: The Historical Guidance Sheet will be published under the Freedom of Information tab on 12th October.View the official source.

Across the whole intake, the last 2026 place went under the category the council booklet calls "Practicing Christians who desire for a Catholic educationst-thomas-more-high-school-westcliff-2026-lastRuleOffered: ValueChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: For admission into Year 7 in September 2026 the last place offered was under the admissions criteria 'Practicing Christians who desire for a Catholic education'View the official source". The booklet's category names for 2026 do not match the 2027 wording exactly, so treat this as a rough guide.

At a glance

St Thomas More High School in brief

tap a value for its source

Pupils
boysPupilsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Thomas More High School.The source says: St Thomas More Catholic High School is a six form, 11-18 school for boys, with a co-educational Sixth Form.View the official source
Who the school admits.
School type
academySchool typeChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: St Thomas More High School | Academy 11-18View the official source
How the school is run and funded.
Year 7 places
180Year 7 placesChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Thomas More High School.The source says: Admission limit for year 7 - 11: 180View the official source2027 entry
The (PAN): how many children the school plans to admit.
Entrance test
CSSE 11+ examination (English and Mathematics)
The test children sit to be considered. Written by the CSSE's own 11+ examination.
Governing BodyAdmission authorityChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Thomas More High School.The source says: The Governing Body is the admissions authority and has responsibility for admissions to this school.View the official source
Who sets the admission rules and decides who is offered a place.
A mapped area (see the admission rules)
Where children get priority. Living inside it does not by itself mean a place.
Supplementary Information Form (SIF)
Yes, for this school
An extra form some schools ask for. It goes to the school, not the council.

Key dates

Dates for September 2027 entry

For children in Year 6 in 2026/27.

Add to my calendar

Southend-on-Sea City Council

4 earlier steps, all doneShow

  1. Done: School place applications open (CAF)

  2. Done: Test registration opens

    Source: Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE), checked

  3. Done: Test registration closes

    Source: Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE), checked

  4. Done: Test day

  1. Next: School place applications close (CAF)

    in 11 days

  2. Coming up: Results

    Expected

  3. Coming up: Home address date: the address used for school places

  4. Coming up: National Offer Day

  5. Coming up: Appeal deadline

    in 25 weeks

Year 5 now? Dates for September 2028 entryNone of these dates are published yet.

  1. Not published yet: Test registration opens

    Not yet published, checked 9 Oct 2026

  2. Not published yet: Test registration closes

    Not yet published, checked 9 Oct 2026

  3. Not published yet: Test day

    Not yet published, checked 9 Oct 2026

  4. Not published yet: Results

    Not yet published, checked 9 Oct 2026

  5. Not published yet: School place applications close: Common Application Form (CAF)

    Not yet published

  6. Not published yet: National Offer Day

    Not yet published

Notes on these dates

Two rows are awaiting confirmation. The school's supplementary form and its parent information sheet give different deadlines for the minister's letter, and the school's policy and Southend Council give different dates for the home address that counts. Sources disagree, so we are checking; sending the letter in with the form avoids any doubt.

How places are given

9 admission rules, in order, for 2027 entry

If more children qualify than there are places, St Thomas More High School gives places using these rules (its ), in this order (2027 entry).

  1. 1

    Up to 30 boys who passed the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex () 11+ test, living in postcode areas SS0-SS9

    The policy's own words
    Up to 30 places will be offered to boys who have passed the 11+ Exam Selective Test ... postcode areas of SS0, SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5, SS6, SS7, SS8 and SS9
  2. 2

    Catholic looked after / previously looked after boys

    The policy's own words
    “Looked after” boys from Catholic (see note III) families and boys who were looked after but ceased to be so because they were adopted by Catholic families
  3. 3

    Baptised Catholic boys living in ten named parishes

    The policy's own words
    Baptised Catholic (note III) boys living in the parishes of Our Lady of Lourdes, Leigh on Sea; St. Helen’s, Westcliff on Sea; Sacred Heart, Southend on Sea; St. Georges, Shoebury; St. Peter’s, Eastwood; St. John Fisher, Prittlewell; St. Teresa’s, Rochford; Holy Family, South Benfleet; Our Lady of Ransom, Rayleigh and Our Lady of Canvey, Canvey Island.
  4. 4

    Other baptised Catholic boys

    The policy's own words
    Baptised Catholic (note III) boys.
  5. 5

    Boys at an Assisi Catholic Trust primary school

    The policy's own words
    Boys who attend an Assisi Catholic Trust Primary schools, namely Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School and Nursery, Leigh on Sea; St. Helen’s Catholic Primary School, Westcliff on Sea;
  6. 6

    Other looked after / previously looked after boys

    The policy's own words
    Other “looked after” boys and boys who were looked after but ceased to be so because they were adopted by families
  7. 7

    Catechumens and members of an Eastern Christian Church

    The policy's own words
    Catechumens (Note IV) and members of an Eastern Christian Church. (Note V)
  8. 8

    Other Christian denominations (evidenced by a minister)

    The policy's own words
    Children of other Christian denominations whose membership is evidenced by a minister of religion. (Note VI)
  9. 9

    Any other boys whose families desire a Catholic education

    The policy's own words
    Any other children, whose families desire a Catholic education for their son.

Source: St Thomas More High School, checked

Who qualifies
Criterion 1: up to 30 boys who have passed the CSSE 11+ selective test and live in postcode areas SS0-SS9. Pass mark not stated in the policy.Source: St Thomas More High School, checked
Catchment
No catchment area. Selective places limited to residents of postcode areas SS0-SS9 (postcode map on p5 of the PDF); criterion 3 uses ten named Catholic parishes; criterion 5 uses Assisi Catholic Trust primary schools.Source: St Thomas More High School, checked
If two children are level for the last place
Within each category: sibling first, then distance; equal distance for the last place by computerised random allocation supervised by someone independent. A tie for the final selective place is settled using the oversubscription criteria.Source: St Thomas More High School, checked
Brothers and sisters
Brothers and sisters of pupils at the school get priority.Source: St Thomas More High School, checked
Supplementary form
School SIF (2027 intake) with photocopy of baptism/reception certificate, returned to the Admissions Secretary by Saturday 31 October 2026; non-Catholic Christians need a minister's letter.Source: St Thomas More High School, checked
Waiting list
Automatic for families who ranked STM above the school offered; held for the full school year and re-ranked by the criteria as children are added; not by date of application.Source: St Thomas More High School, checked

The admission rules for September 2028 entry are not published yet. We check the school's website and add them when they appear.

More detail from our guide

STM has no catchment area. Outside the selective step, priority depends on faith, on living in one of a list of named Catholic parishes, and on attending a primary school in the Assisi Catholic Trust.

  • Full order of priority: (1) Up to 30 boys who passed the CSSE 11+ test, living in postcode areas SS0-SS9. (2) Catholic looked after / previously looked after boys. (3) Baptised Catholic boys living in ten named parishes. (4) Other baptised Catholic boys. (5) Boys at an Assisi Catholic Trust primary school. (6) Other looked after / previously looked after boys. (7) Catechumens and members of an Eastern Christian Church. (8) Other Christian denominations (evidenced by a minister). (9) Any other boys whose families desire a Catholic education.St Thomas More High School: Oversubscription criteria (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against St Thomas More High School.The source says: Governors will apply the following oversubscription criteria to rank applications in priority order. Oversubscription CriteriaView the official source
  • Who may apply: Catholic children have priority when oversubscribed, but non-Catholics may apply and be admitted under the arrangements.St Thomas More High School: Faith statementChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Thomas More High School.The source says: This does not affect the right of an applicant who is not Catholic to apply for and be admitted to a place at the school in accordance with the admission arrangements.View the official source
  • The school's form: School SIF (2027 intake) with photocopy of baptism/reception certificate, returned to the Admissions Secretary by Saturday 31 October 2026; non-Catholic Christians need a minister's letter.St Thomas More High School: Supplementary form (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against St Thomas More High School.The source says: it will be necessary for parents to complete the school’s Supplementary Information Form (SIF) in addition to the Local Authority form.View the official source
  • Faith evidence: Photocopy of certificate of baptism or reception attached to the SIF; practising Christians need a minister's letter.St Thomas More High School: Sif evidenceChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Thomas More High School.The source says: PHOTOCOPY of Certificate of Baptism or ReceptionView the official source
  • If no form is returned: Without a SIF the boy is placed after the lowest admission category.St Thomas More High School: No sif ruleChecked 9 Oct 2026 against St Thomas More High School.The source says: Where a SIF form has not been completed, those pupils will be placed after the lowest admission category.View the official source
  • Ties within a category: Within each category: sibling first, then distance; equal distance for the last place by computerised random allocation supervised by someone independent. A tie for the final selective place is settled using the oversubscription criteria.St Thomas More High School: Tie break (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against St Thomas More High School.The source says: If the same distance is shared by more than one pupil and only one place is available, the place will be awarded on the basis of a computerised random allocation process (supervised by someone independent of the Council/Governing body)View the official source
  • How distance is measured: straight line from pupil's home (community entrance for flats; main external entrance of a block of flats) to nearest pupil entrance to the schoolSt Thomas More High School: Distance rule (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against St Thomas More High School.The source says: In the case of over subscription in any one category “straight line” distance will be used to measure the distance between the pupil’s home (including community entrance to flats) and the nearest pupil entrance to the school.View the official source
  • Waiting list: Automatic for families who ranked STM above the school offered; held for the full school year and re-ranked by the criteria as children are added; not by date of application.St Thomas More High School: Waiting list (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against St Thomas More High School.The source says: Waiting lists for all year groups are held for the full school year. Each added child will require the list to be ranked again in line with the published oversubscription criteria.View the official source

The parish list and the trust's primary schools are named in the school's admission arrangements, linked under Sources. 2028 entry: arrangements are St Thomas More High School: Document status (2028)Not yet published by St Thomas More High School; last checked 9 Oct 2026.The source says: Admissions Arrangements 2026 ... Admissions Arrangements 2027View the official source.

The test

CSSE 11+ examination (English and Mathematics)
Test
CSSE 11+ examination (English and Mathematics)
Written by
the CSSE's own 11+ examination
Test date, 2027 entry
Saturday 19 September 2026
How the parts count
English and Mathematics weighted equally (1:1)

At STM the CSSE test only matters for the first of the school's criteria. A boy's application moves through the rules like this:

  • Step one: if he sat the CSSE test in September of Year 6, lives in the SS0 to SS9 postcodes and his family ticked the selective box on the council form, he is considered for a selective place. Those places go in score order.

  • Step two: whatever happens at that step, he is also ranked under the faith, parish and school criteria that fill the rest of the intake.

  • No test taken: a boy who did not sit the test is simply considered under those other criteria.

  • The policy's selective rule: Criterion 1: up to 30 boys who have passed the CSSE 11+ selective test and live in postcode areas SS0-SS9. Pass mark not stated in the policy.St Thomas More High School: Qualifying rule (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against St Thomas More High School.The source says: Up to 30 places will be offered to boys who have passed the 11+ Exam Selective Test as administered by the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (of which the school is a founder member), 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

  • One preference, two routes: One CAF preference with the selective tick box; considered for a selective place (criterion 1) and automatically under the main criteria.St Thomas More High School: Selective non selective interactionChecked 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

  • What families had to do: Complete the CSSE form for the 11+ test (and, per the school, indicate the test on the LA form); apply via the home LA's single application form plus the school SIF.St Thomas More High School: Registration route (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against St Thomas More High School.The source says: If you wish to apply for a selective place you must also complete the Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex SIF form. The CSSE continues to administer the 11+ selection process. If you are applying for your child to take the 11+ selection test you must indicate this on the Local Authority Form.View the official source

The policy does not state a minimum score. In the years when STM made selective offers and CSSE recorded a score, the last selective place went at the consortium's qualifying score of 303Essex and Southend (CSSE): Qualifying scoreChecked 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. More about the papers is on our CSSE guide.

How the Essex and Southend (CSSE) test works

Open days

Next: Open Day for Y6 parents (by appointment only), Tue 20 Oct 2026

  1. Done: Open evening (Year 7 entry September 2027) (passed)

    4pm to 7pm

  2. Coming up: Open Day for Y6 parents (by appointment only)

  3. Coming up: Open Day for Y6 parents (by appointment only)

Source: Southend-on-Sea City Council, checked

If you are refused a place

Reviews, appeals and the waiting list

General information, not legal advice.

How appeals work
Appeal to an Independent Admissions Appeal Panel; details on the school website (appeal form submitted to the school).Source: St Thomas More High School, checked

General information, not legal advice.

  • How to appeal: Appeal to an Independent Admissions Appeal Panel; details on the school website (appeal form submitted to the school).St Thomas More High School: Appeals route (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against St Thomas More High School.The source says: Parents unsuccessful in securing a place for their child have the right to appeal to an Independent Admissions Appeal Panel. Details of how to do this can be found on the Academy’s website.View the official source
  • Deadline for 2027 entry: Tuesday 13 April 2027St Thomas More High School: Appeal deadline 2027Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: 13 April 2027 Closing date for 'on time' admission appeals to be submitted to schools.View the official source
  • Hearings to be completed by: Wednesday 16 June 2027St Thomas More High School: Appeals heard by 2027Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: 16 June 2027 | All on-time appeals completed for all Secondary schools in the City.View the official source

The school's Year 7 page still shows last year's appeal timetable, so rely on the 2027 dates above, which come from Southend Council's booklet. Appeals are fairly common here, and some have succeeded: the booklet records 5St Thomas More High School 2026 entry: Appeals upheldChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: Allocation Data for St Thomas More High School 2022-2026 DFE 882-5447 ... Appeals | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ... Number of successful appeals | 5 | <5 | <5 | 5 | <5 |View the official source upheld for 2026 entry and 5St Thomas More High School 2023 entry: Appeals upheldChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: Allocation Data for St Thomas More High School 2022-2026 DFE 882-5447 ... Appeals | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ... Number of successful appeals | 5 | <5 | <5 | 5 | <5 |View the official source for 2023 entry. Each appeal is decided on its own facts. See CSSE appeals for how panels work.

Official documents and sources

11 sources, each kept as an archived copy

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