They were extremely popular, and the following year the newly created Southend Corporation purchased land in Clarence Road to build a Technical Institute.

However, plans were developed to build a new school, library and town hall on land owned by the council at Victoria Circus.

[6] By 1905, an extension was added to cope with the demand of both the day technical school and the college of art which was located in the top floor.

The school achieves excellent results at A level and other examinations, consistently above national averages, in part because of the selective entry system.

[11] In Science, Mathematics, English and Geography all students take a two-year Key Stage 3 qualification allowing them to start their GCSE studies early.

[citation needed] According to the school's most recent Ofsted report: "Most students are from a White British heritage, and a broadly average proportion is from minority ethnic backgrounds.

[20][21] Reconstruction work took almost a year whilst a new kitchen, dining room and reception area were constructed and a number of classrooms had to be fully refitted.