Southend YMCA Community School has been conceived by Southend YMCA, a local charity with eighteen years experience of delivering quality services to young people including: supported housing, recreation and educational provision. The charity has provided alternative education since 2007, with a strong track record of success in enabling pupils who face barriers to achieve their potential. As a leading youth charity, advocating on behalf of its beneficiaries Southend YMCA seeks to identify, appropriately match, and secure the resources necessary to create much needed services.

Southend YMCA has established South Essex Community School Ltd as a legal entity which has applied to open an Alternative Provision Free School, known as Southend YMCA Community School. The vision of Southend YMCA Community School is to 'Stand in the Gap', helping young people to build their future through a holistic education where pupils aged 14-19 will acquire the knowledge, skills, experiences and qualifications to make the successful transition to adulthood'.