Southend High School for Boys delivers a world-class education despite declining income

Did you know that the school's staffing costs for teachers alone were more than £4.5m last year? Many staff dedicate nearly their whole career to the school, with Ofsted noting how the school's "passionate and expert teachers ensure pupils consistently achieve the highest standards". Utilities cost £558 per day despite solar panels on the roof. The school spends £565 on classroom materials and £349 on IT infrastructure every day. The estimated cost of running the school, excluding staffing costs, is nearly £2,500 per day or £1m per year.

As you may be aware, government funding has declined significantly over the past decade. Southend High School for Boys continues to provide an outstanding education for its pupils, described by Ofsted as "second to none", despite per-pupil funding being 20% lower than 2014 (taking inflation into account) and 25% lower than the current national average. The cost of everything including classroom materials, utilities and buildings maintenance continues to rise.

The Trust has been formed to safeguard the school's future and avoid real threats to its academic and extracurricular provision, and independence

To address this shortfall in funding and to safeguard our school’s future, we have established the Southend High School for Boys Charitable Trust. The sole purpose of the Trust is to raise essential funds to ensure our school can continue its proud 125-year tradition of excellence. The funds will close the gap between what the school receives through government funding and what it costs to provide outstanding education.

Without the extra funds it is likely that the breadth of the curriculum would need to be reduced, extracurricular activities may need to be cut, the library closed, and careers services ended. There may be no other option than for the school to join a multi-academy trust (MAT) that would threaten its cherished traditions and ethos.

The Charitable Trust is committed to maintain the school as a single academy trust and ensuring that no student’s experience is diminished due to financial constraints.

The Trust needs your support to meet its challenging £150,000 target by September 2025

The Trust has an immediate need to raise £150,000 by September 2025 to address the school's financial requirements for 2025/26 and close the funding gap. Thereafter, at least £200,000 per year will be needed. These targets are challenging. So far we have already raised more than £20,000 towards our goal, but your support as past and present students, staff, parents, governors, friends and supporters of the school is vital for us to succeed and safeguard the school's future.

Introducing The 2025 Society to recognise regular donors and meet our challenge

We are launching The 2025 Society in recognition of our generous donors who make a regular donation of £20.25 per month to the Trust (or £243 per year if preferred).

Your contribution will make a real difference for the school. With just 500 people joining The 2025 Society we will, with Gift Aid, raise a large proportion of our required target every year.

You may, of course, choose to make a higher monthly contribution and/or make a larger one-time donation. All of the money we receive will make a meaningful difference. Our goal is to not only secure the education of pupils today but also protect the future of Southend High School for Boys for generations to come. Your support is therefore an investment in the education of countless students, now and in the future.