Admissions
When applying for a place at St Bernard’s High School you need to consider the following:
applications for SEPTEMBER'S YEAR 7 2025-2026
If you have a daughter in Year 6 you must apply for a school place by completing the Common Application Form for Secondary School Admissions.
Each Local Authority has its own form. You must complete the form for the local authority in which you live regardless of which schools you are applying for. For most people applying for a place at St Bernard's High School, the Local Authority will be Southend, Essex or Thurrock.
The relevant form will be available on the Local Authority website and you will usually receive information about the Local Authority admissions process via your child's Primary School.
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. Information about the process is available at www.csse.org.uk. The selective test is taken in September and you will receive the result of the test before the application deadline of October 31st of Year 6. Therefore registration for the selective test begins early in May when your child is in Year 5.
Parents wishing to apply for a place at St Bernard's High School are required to complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF). This is available to parents at the bottom of this page, or can be obtained by request from the school. This form is very important, as it provides information which allows the school to place a child in the correct admission category. It is returned directly to the school.
Although St Bernard's High School admission criteria allow the admission of any girl of any faith or none, the admission criteria priority order reflects a commitment to Catholic education. You are advised to read the criteria carefully. They are available through the link below.
If you have queries, please contact the school for assistance. The closing date for return of all forms is October 31st of the year in which your child starts in Year 6.
APPEALS
Should you be unsuccessful in applying for a place at St Bernard’s High School, you may lodge an appeal using the form at the bottom of the page. Further details are available from the school’s Admissions Officer.
Appeal Timetable
Offer day – 3 March 2025
On time submission of appeals – 4 April 2025
St Bernard's Appeal Hearing Date - tbc
On time appeals must be heard by 24 June 2025
https://www.southend.gov.uk/school-admissions/secondary-school-admissions