Westcliff High School for Boys (WHSB) is an 11–18 selective boys academy grammar school in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, England. In September 2001 the school was awarded ‘Beacon’ status for its breadth of achievements and quality of work. The school was classed as a humanities college in early 2007 and received a further specialism in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) on 1 April 2009. The school converted to academy status in 2010.

History

During the 20th century, members of the local community in Westcliff–on–Sea began a drive for the establishment of a new school in the area. The new school was known as The Commercial School and was based in a converted building on Victoria Avenue in Southend-on-Sea. The Commercial School was a co-educational school for the town’s rapidly expanding population. Two years later, the school's name changed from The Commercial School to Westcliff High School and by 1926, boys attending the school had moved to the school's present site on Kenilworth Gardens, becoming Westcliff High School for Boys. The accompanying girls' school, Westcliff High School for Girls, remained on the Victoria Avenue site until 1930, following their relocation to the same site as Westcliff High School for Boys on Victoria Avenue.

Overview

Westcliff High School for Boys performs well in regards to academic attainment, with academic performance in Key Stage 4 consistency being above 90% in various areas. Westcliff High School for Boys is in the highest 16% and highest 20% for all schools in progress and attainment scores respectively.

School uniform

Boys (Year 7–Year 11)

The agreed school uniform dress code for boys attending Westcliff High School for Boys between Year 7 until Year 11 is as follows: The schools uniform policy is strict in regards to the type of school shoes worn by boys attending the school, claiming that shoes worn by the boys attending the school should be of a formal style, being uniformly black leather (or leather style) of conventional shape and style, the entirety of which should be able to take polish. Boys’ shoes are not permitted to have velcro straps, large logos, embellishments, patches, prominent tags, or different coloured sole or stitching. The school forbids boys to wear boots, black leather trainers or converse style shoes.

Sixth form

All Sixth Form students are required to wear the same agreed school uniform for wear between Year 7–Year 11, however, Sixth Form students are expected to wear the Sixth Form tie. Sixth Form students may also wear a representative honours tie, provided that the tie has been awarded by the school, as opposed to simply purchased for wear.

Headmasters

Notable Old Westcliffians