Around 200 more pupils from Southend have applied to sit the 11+ exam in the hopes of earning a place in one the town’s grammar schools.

The Consortium of Selective Schools in Essex (CSSE) has confirmed that roughly 200 additional applications have been received for Southend, which is a 15 per cent increase on last year’s applications.

There were 1422 applications for the 2018 entries which is a jump on last year’s figure of 1235 applications for 2017 entries and a further increase on the 1209 applications for the 2016 entries.

This figure represents people living in the postcode areas SS0 to SS9.

Dr Robin Bevan, Chair of the CSSE and Headteacher at Southend High School for Boys, said: “We are very pleased to see increased levels of interests in our schools.

“For a long time now, we have been looking to get more pupils from the Southend area into our schools.

“Although we don’t know the results of the 11+ exam yet, we are looking forward to welcoming even more Southend residents into our schools next September.”

Grammar schools in Essex have been ranked as some of the best in the region, with Southend’s being no exception.

Westcliff High School for Boys finished number five in a list of the top state secondary schools in East Anglia, compiled by the Sunday Times, back in 2016.

Westcliff High School for Girls and Southend’s two grammar schools took the sixth, seventh and eighth positions.

But places at these schools quite often go to pupils from outside of Southend, and the CSSE and Southend Council have been trying to get more pupils from within Southend to apply for places at the grammar schools within the area.

Councillor Mark Flewitt praised the increase in applications.

He said: “I am really pleased about the 15% increase in grammar school places in the Southend area. I think it’s high times.”

“We have people coming from all over the country to our grammar schools which is a testament to the quality of teaching.”

He also went on to praise the variety of schools that are in Southend.

Mr Flewitt added: “We also have a nice mix of education in Southend with great academies and comprehensives too.”

Councillor James Courtenay, responsible for Children and Learning, said: “Our initial campaign was all about raising awareness of the 11 plus and encouraging local children to apply for and sit the test.

“We are very pleased that it appears the campaign has been a success and that there has been a rise in those applying for the test locally.

“We look forward to seeing further data on the numbers actually sitting the test and then working with others to build on our campaign in future months and years.”