Secondary school admissions

When is the closing date for applications?

The closing date for applications is 31 October.

Which local authority do I apply to?

When you apply for a school place, the address you give on your application form must be your child’s home address. This means the address where your child normally lives for most of the school week at the time of application. If you live outside of the Southend area you must apply for Southend Schools via the local authority in which you live. In all cases the Council must be satisfied that the address provided on the application, which is used for deciding on the allocation of places, is your child’s normal place of residence for the majority of the school week and their permanent, habitual home. The Council retains the discretion to accept or reject the address provided and may carry out regular reviews of the information submitted as part of the application.

If you live outside of the Southend area you must apply for Southend Schools via the local authority in which you live.

If you are moving to Southend before the application closing date and you:

• cannot provide proof of your Southend address by 31 October, you will need to apply to Southend schools via your current home authority.
• can provide proof of your Southend address by 31 October, then please apply to the Southend Local Authority.

How do I change my address?

If you move into Southend during the admissions process, you must:

• notify our School Admissions Team - this can be done via email or by letter.
• inform your previous local authority

You should provide proof of your move such

• exchange of contracts (if buying), or
• signed tenancy agreement (if you are renting)

Further details on changing address can be found in the Secondary schools admission booklet 2027. 

If there are changes to your plans you must let our School Admissions Team know immediately. Failure to do so may result in the withdrawal of your child's offered place.

If you are not a Southend resident, please check with your local authority for their policy on change of address, as this may be different.

When are you moving to the city?

Addresses for schools in the city are based on the child's normal place of residence on or before Friday 20 November. Evidence/proof of address must be provided on or before Friday 20 November. Any addresses/changes or proof after this date are updated after National Offer Day. As a result, applications are reranked accordingly.

If you are not a Southend resident, please check with your local authority for their policy on change of address, as this may be different.

You have questions about The Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE) test scores?

All information about CSSE test scores is provided by the CSSE.

What is the advice for vaccinations

As your child prepares to move into secondary school, we encourage you to make sure they are up to date with their routine childhood vaccinations. Vaccinations provide important protection for your child during adolescence and help keep the wider school community safe.

For information or to book an appointment, please contact your GP practice, visit the NHS website or contact the Childhood and School‑Aged Immunisation Service (CSAIS) on 0300 555 5055 or email hct.csais@nhs.net.