Southend on Sea, Westcliff High School for Girls

I can not even describe how bad this shcool is. We are treated as if we are in prison. The headmaster and staff wish we would go back to the victoian times because trust me if they could hit us they would. Racists get away with racist words even in the classroom in front of the teachers and they do nothing. They will instead lose their minds if you turn up wearing a skirt above your knee or wear jewelry or paint your nails. Students have panic attacks in class and are told they are pretending. Many people are treated bad and have tried to kill themselves. The bullying is very bad and not taken serious 99% of the time. Some people even moved to other shcools because of it. Every day is hard to get up and go there. The education part is overrated because students will have tutors to get the grades. They let you to get on with it because of the 11 plus so there is no effort from the teachers to teach properly - you can count the really good teachers that care. They blame you for not understanding instead of helping. Im sure some teachers are not qualified. They just want the grades and easy life for themselves. They think they have control but lots of people smoke in the bathrooms and self harm. You have to be more than strong to survive.

My daughter did attend the school for 5 years however, she came home and cried most days. We couldn't find any spaces in other schools and knew the benefit of having 'Westcliff High School for Girls' on her CV would give her so she stayed.

The school treated students as though they were only numbers on a spreadsheet, another girl in my daughter's year was asked to leave the school because her grades weren't good enough. To me this is astounding, instead of providing support they asked her to leave. The teachers spoke to the students as though they had no feelings and no grade was ever good enough. There was never a 'well done' only 'could be better, you could have got that 1 mark you lost'. My daughter hated her entire experience and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy to see what she's gone through. Luckily, for sixth form she's been accepted at another school, for which she can't wait to attend.

I would seriously advise you to rethink your options if you're planning to send your child to this school.

I think the school is good although there are some draw backs. The rules are quite strict but they are there for a reason 9and to stop us looking like someone from St. Trinians!) It is a very good school for most subjects although I think they could improve their eco-friendlyness. Most subjects are exellent, especially Music and Science. I like the building, and now they have the new block it is very extended, although the toilets could be improved. i would have likes have know how scary the Headmaster, and some of the teachers would be before I went to the school. i also think they could improve on their transport of studentd, because i have to catch a public bus, but would much prefer a contract one. Overall I love WHSG (Westcliff) and will spend a happy time there. Everything is great, especially the canteen! (and the food)!!! :)

You have ups and downs just as you would have anywhere, but the friends you make here last. We work hard here, but we play hard too, the atmosphere around the school is friendly and fun, easygoing and relaxed, teachers are easy to get along with, to chat to and at times even banter with. The teachers are brilliant, respected and looked up to and we as pupils are given responsibility, privileges and repect from them. Hard work is rewarded and those struggling are given help. I couldnt have asked for a better school to spend my years. I am proud to have been given the chance to go to Westcliff because its helped me find out who i am and helped me on my way to becoming the best person i can be.

I would definitely recommend Westcliff to other people and I have nothing but praise for the school.

The rules are so strict- too strict, and you are not even allowed to wear shoes with coloured stitching on them, or dye your hair. It's ridiculous! Quite a few of the teachers are not very good, although there are a couple of really good ones. The bullying policy does not work. When I was bullied the teachers didn't do anything about it. It was only acknowledged that I was being bullied when a supply teacher reported it to the head of year, and even then nothing was done about it. The extra curricular activities at Westcliff High School for Girls in Southend on Sea are rubbish. Hardly anyone goes, and the house system doesn't actually work very well. Charity week is the only good thing about the school. They set WAY TOO MUCH homework, and all they care about is the grades you get and where they are in the league tables.

The previous reviews don't seem to have given Westcliff High School For Girls in Southend On Sea full justice. The last one about 'unwashed hair' is ridiculous and simply inaccurate, not to mention trivial. Plenty of girls wear make-up and do things to their hair; the rules are there to prevent people from looking like St Trinian's girls. However, another previous review about the school being somewhat oblivious to student's general well being does have a point. I was extremely unhappy in Year 8 especially, and I found there was no one to go to for help. The CHIPs scheme, for all the fanfare, comes across as pretty useless. Provisions are better in the sixth form, with a counsellor available each week. On the other hand, I came out of compulsory education with 9 A*s and 2 A's for GCSE thanks to this school, and I think that speaks for itself.

Most of the girls wear no make up at Westcliff High School for girls. They have extremely long skirts, and do not wash and/or straighten their hair. This may be a seem a bit silly to include this, but it has to be said. Most people will look at us 'the students' and think of us as 'geeks'. It's quite depressing.

My review of the whole school is that it is VERY GOOD!

My review of Westcliff High School for Girls is that it is VERY GOOD!