🏫 Friends’ School Lisburn – SEAG Practice Papers with Video Explanations
Voluntary Grammar School | Co-educational | Lisburn, Northern Ireland | Ages 11–18
📚 History of Friends’ School Lisburn
Friends’ School Lisburn was founded in 1774 by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and remains one of the oldest and most respected grammar schools in Northern Ireland. Rooted in Quaker values such as equality, simplicity, peace, integrity, and service, the school is known for providing a high-quality, inclusive education in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Located on a spacious and leafy campus near Lisburn city centre, Friends’ School combines academic tradition with a strong pastoral focus. The school has evolved into a modern, co-educational grammar school serving a broad catchment area across Lisburn, Greater Belfast, and surrounding towns.
Its Quaker ethos underpins all aspects of school life, while remaining inclusive to pupils of all faiths and none.
👨🎓 Pupil Numbers & School Structure
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Total Pupils: ~1,000
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Year 8 Intake: ~120–130 pupils
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Sixth Form: ~250+ students
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Gender: Co-educational
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Age Range: 11–18
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School Type: Voluntary Grammar School
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Religious Affiliation: Quaker foundation (Religious Society of Friends) but inclusive of all beliefs
🎓 Academic Reputation
Friends’ School is highly regarded for its academic excellence, student-centred ethos, and balanced educational experience. It consistently ranks among Northern Ireland’s top grammar schools and supports students to reach their full potential in a caring and respectful environment.
✅ Academic Strengths:
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Strong in Sciences, English, Mathematics, Modern Languages, History, and Music
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A wide A-Level curriculum with academic and applied options
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Strong careers guidance and high university placement, especially in Medicine, Law, Engineering, and Arts
📊 Academic Performance:
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GCSEs:
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~98–100% of pupils achieve 7+ GCSEs at A–C*, including English and Maths
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~85–90% of grades at A–B*
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A-Levels:
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~85–90% of grades at A–C*
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Students regularly progress to Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University, and Russell Group universities
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🏆 Awards & Recognition
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Outstanding ETI Inspection Reports for:
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High academic achievement
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Pupil wellbeing
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Effective leadership and inclusive ethos
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Recognition in:
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Young Enterprise NI
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UK Mathematics Challenge & Science Olympiads
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Eco-Schools Programme – Green Flag Status
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Success in:
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Choral and instrumental music competitions
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Public speaking and debate tournaments
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Local and international peacebuilding and intercultural initiatives
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🏫 Friends’ School Lisburn – Contact Information
School Name: Friends’ School Lisburn
Type: Co-educational Voluntary Grammar School (Ages 11–18)
Religious Affiliation: Quaker (open to all faiths)
Location: Lisburn, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
📍 Address:
Friends’ School Lisburn
6 Magheralave Road
Lisburn
County Antrim
BT28 3BH
Northern Ireland
United Kingdom
☎️ Telephone:
+44 (0)28 9266 2156
📧 Email:
info@friends.lisburn.ni.sch.uk
🌐 Website:
https://www.friendsschoollisburn.org.uk
📱 Social Media:
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Facebook: Friends’ School Lisburn
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Twitter/X: @FriendsSchoolL
SEAG Score Needed to get into Friends School Lisburn
Below is historical scores for Friends School Lisburn from 2024 to 2014.
2024 Lowest Grade – SEAG – 206
2023 Lowest Grade – AQE – 106
2022 Lowest Grade – AQE – 106
2021 N/A
2020 Lowest Grade – AQE – 106
2019 Lowest Grade – AQE – 106
2018 Lowest Grade – AQE – 106
2017 Lowest Grade – AQE – 106
2016 Lowest Grade – AQE – 106
2015 Lowest Grade – AQE – 106
2014 Lowest Grade – AQE – 106
As you can see from the above stats 106 in AQE test in all years will have got you into Friends School Lisburn. We also have information on the SEAG score for 2024. The lowest SEAG score to get a place at Friends School Lisburn in 2024 was 206 and siblings were admitted via a tie break.
A 106 score in old AQE test is equivalent to 207 in new SEAG test, so based on past intake a minimum score of 207+ in SEAG test would give your child a very high chance of getting accepted into Friends School Lisburn. As we can see a score of 206 got you a place at Friends School Lisburn in 2024 so the guide for past scores was not far of the mark. We would still recommend getting a score above 207 in new SEAG test to have a high chance of getting accepted at Friends School Lisburn.
SEAG Comparison with historical AQE and PPTC outcomes:
| Approx PPTC / GL Equivalent SAS | SEAG TSAS | Approx AQE Equivalent SAS | SEAG Band | SEAG Cohort Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 282 | 282 | 130 | 1 | 100 |
| 258 | 236 | 1 | 90 | |
| 249 | 224 | 113 | 1 | 80 |
| 242 | 215 | 109 | 1 | 70 |
| 236 | 207 | 106 | 1 | 60* |
| 231 | 200 | 103 | 2 | 50* |
| 226 | 193 | 99 | 3 | 40* |
| 220 | 185 | 94 | 4 | 30* |
| 214 | 175 | 88 | 5 | 20* |
| 200 | <175 | 6 | <20 |
*This is the minimum cohort percentile needed for that Band
Two examples:
A SEAG TSAS of 215 would be “equivalent” to a PPTC SAS of about 242 or an AQE SAS of about 109. A SEAG TSAS of 185 would be “equivalent” to a PPTC SAS of about 220 or an AQE SAS of about 94.
| Minimum PPTC /GL SAS needed for Grade | PPTC/ GL Grade | Approx Equivalent SEAG TSAS |
|---|---|---|
| 234 | A | 206 |
| 229 | B1 | 197 |
| 224 | B2 | 190 |
| 219 | C1 | 183 |
| 213 | C2 | 174 |
| <213 | D | <174 |
How to Use ExamTutor SEAG Transfer Test Practice Papers (with Video Explanations) to Achieve High Scores for Friends School Lisburn
Preparing for the SEAG Transfer Test effectively is crucial to securing a place at highly competitive grammar schools like Friends School Lisburn. To secure a place, students must achieve a high score in the SEAG Transfer Test. ExamTutor’s SEAG Practice Test Papers with Video Explanations provide a structured and effective way to prepare, ensuring students are fully familiar with the question types and exam format used in the 11+ entrance exam.
How ExamTutor SEAG Practice Papers with Video Explanations Help Students Succeed
1. Mirrors the SEAG Transfer Test Format
ExamTutor’s practice papers mirror the GL Assessment SEAG test format, covering:
📌 English – Reading comprehension, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
📌 Mathematics – Numerical reasoning, arithmetic, and problem-solving.
✔ By practicing with ExamTutor papers, students become familiar with the structure and content of the SEAG entrance exam, improving confidence and performance.
2. Identify Weak Areas & Improve Performance with a Structured Study Plan
A structured study plan is essential for SEAG Transfer Test success. Our practice papers:
✔ Help identify weaker subjects at the earliest stage.
✔ Allow students to focus on specific question types where they struggle.
✔ Include detailed answer explanations so students understand their mistakes and improve.
📌 Tip: Encourage your child to take regular timed practice tests to build exam stamina and confidence.
3. Boost Confidence with Video Explanations
Some SEAG transfer Test question types can be challenging for students. Our tutor-led video explanations:
🎥 Break down complex questions step by step
🎥 Teach proven problem-solving techniques
🎥 Show shortcuts and strategies to save time in the exam
🎥 Help students reinforce learning and build confidence
How to Use Video Explanations Effectively:
✅ Review incorrect answers with video solutions – Identify and correct mistakes early.
✅ Take notes on key strategies – Record important problem-solving techniques for future reference.
✅ Rewatch explanations for difficult topics – Reinforce learning by revisiting challenging areas.
✔ Video explanations ensure students fully understand concepts rather than just memorising answers.
4. Develop Strong Time Management & Exam Techniques
Success in the SEAG entrance exam isn’t just about knowledge—it’s also about:
✔ Time management – Completing questions quickly and accurately under exam conditions.
✔ Skipping tricky questions – Avoid wasting time on difficult questions and returning to them later.
✔ Eliminating wrong answers – Using logical reasoning to improve accuracy.
📌 Tip: Regular timed practice with ExamTutor tests ensures students develop these key exam skills.
5. Build Confidence Before the Big Day
Confidence is crucial for success in the SEAG exam. Our practice tests help by:
✔ Simulating real exam conditions – So students know exactly what to expect.
✔ Providing motivation through measurable improvement.
📌 Tip: Encourage your child to review their mistakes using our detailed video explanations to turn weaknesses into strengths.
Why Choose ExamTutor 11+ Practice Papers for SEAG transfer test Preparation?
✔ SEAG GL Assessment-style practice papers covering all tested subjects.
✔ Video explanations for step-by-step learning.
✔ Used successfully by thousands of students every year.
How to Get Started with ExamTutor Practice Papers
1️⃣ Take a practice test – Identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses.
2️⃣ Create a study plan – Focus on weaker areas while reinforcing strengths.
3️⃣ Practice regularly – Use ExamTutor timed papers to simulate real exam conditions.
4️⃣ Review mistakes using video explanations – Learn from errors and improve.
5️⃣ Track progress – Monitor scores over time to ensure continuous improvement.
📌 Tip: Start preparing at least 6–12 months before the exam to allow enough time for practice and improvement.
Friends School Lisburn entry is highly competitive, but ExamTutor SEAG Practice Papers with Video Explanations provide a powerful tool to maximise your child’s success.
By mirroring the SEAG test format, identifying weak areas, improving time management, and building confidence, our practice tests give students the best chance of securing a high score and gaining admission to Friends School Lisburn.
Why Choose ExamTutor 11+ Practice Papers for Friends School Lisburn Preparation?
✔ SEAG style practice papers covering all tested subjects.
✔ Video explanations for step-by-step learning.
✔ Used successfully by thousands of pupils every year.
Achieving a high SEAG score for Friends School Lisburn is very possible with the right strategy and tools. With ExamTutor’s exam-style papers and video explanations, you get both practice and expert guidance — exactly what’s needed to turn mistakes into mastery.
📌 Start preparing today with ExamTutor and set your child on the path to SEAG success! 🚀
📋 Admissions Criteria
When applications exceed the available number of places (~120–130), the school applies the following:
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Applicants ranked by SEAG test result
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Siblings of current or former pupils
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Children of staff or former pupils
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Applicants from Quaker families
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Pupils from contributory primary schools
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Proximity to the school (tie-breaker if required)
✅ Special Circumstances/Provisions (e.g. SEN, illness, bereavement, or late relocation to NI) will be considered with documentation.
📅 Admissions Timeline
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| SEAG Registration Opens | May |
| SEAG Registration Closes | September |
| SEAG Test Dates | November (2 Saturdays) |
| Results Released to Parents | January |
| EA Application Portal Opens | Late January |
| Application Deadline | February |
| Offers Issued | March |
SEAG Exam Information for ‘Friends School Lisburn’.
The SEAG Group’ consists of 63 Grammar Schools in Northern Ireland that use academic selection for all or part of their Year 8 intake. The SEAG 2024 Entrance Assessment is for pupils who will be transferring to post primary schools and whose parents may be considering a place at a SEAG school for their child. Friends School Lisburn is a SEAG School. Friends School Lisburn will use the results from the SEAG Test to determine who gets offered a place at the school.
SEAG Registration and Exam Details
Parents can register their child at the SEAG website at the following address. SEAG (seagni.co.uk).The SEAG Entrance Assessment consists of two papers. Both papers assess English and Mathematics and both have an identical format consisting of three Sections:
1st Section – The Practice Test Section
This section contains 5 English followed by 5 Maths questions. These questions are designed to help pupils settle before the Main Test begins. The Practice Test is not assessed or timed.
2nd Section – English Main Test.
The English section of the paper consists of 28 questions (Q1-Q28) and is broken down into 4 sections:
1) “Punctuation Exercise” containing 5 multiple choice questions.
2) “Grammar Exercise” 5 multiple choice questions.
3) “Spelling Exercise” with 5 multiple choice questions.
4) Comprehension”. Contains a passage and are then asked 13 questions on the passage; 7 of these are multiple choice (Q16-Q22). The final 6 questions (Q23-Q28) are described as “free response”; the pupil writes the answer to each in the space provided in the Answer Sheet.
3rd Section – Maths Main Test.
The Maths section also has 28 questions (Q29-Q56) and is broken down into 2 sections:
1) The first 22 Maths questions (Q29-Q50) are multiple choice questions.
2) The final 6 Maths questions (Q51-Q56) are described as “free response”. For each of these questions the pupil works out the correct answer and writes the answer in the space provided in the Answer Sheet.
Pupils will have 60 minutes to answer the 56 Main Test questions.
They can choose to start with the English questions or with the Maths questions.
Each of the multiple choice questions has 5 possible answers.
Admissions Criteria for Friends School Lisburn
Most Northern Ireland Grammar Schools are now using the SEAG Entrance Assessment instead of Transfer Test AQE or PPTC/GL Assessment. As part of their admissions criteria each school uses slightly different criteria versions for admissions. The vast majority of schools will have SEAG Band one as 1st criteria which means you need to score 206+ in the SEAG Entrance Assessment Test. If you don’t get band one then you will not be guaranteed a grammar school place in any school in Northern Ireland.
After criteria one, criteria two can vary depending on Grammar School. The majority of Grammar Schools 2nd criteria will be if a family member currently or in some cases has attended the school, other schools will go straight to SEAG TSAS scores. The main key point to note is that you need to aim for band one which is 206 in SEAG Entrance Assessment for the vast majority of Grammar Schools in Northern Ireland. Another key point is school preference, most schools don’t stipulate they have to be number one preference on the SEAG Application form to be considered for a place at their school. So, if you put down a Grammar School as 1st preference and don’t get the grade to get in, as long as your 2nd choice school doesn’t stipulate their school has to be 1st preference then it’s the same as putting the 2nd school down 1st on the SEAG application form.
Our advice is to read the Grammar School criteria carefully and know what your child needs to achieve to gain entry as a lot of parents get confused over the criteria. We keep an up-to-date database of past Transfer Test and SEAG scores you need to gain entry to all Grammar Schools in Northern Ireland.
Our SEAG products at bottom of the page are proven resources to give you child the best chance of getting a high score in SEAG, our Practice Test Papers with video explanations are a great starting point for the SEAG Exam. Our online and live tutor bootcamps are a great alternative to an expensive tutor and our mock exams are a great way to find out what level your child is currently at compared to other children who have taken our mock exams in the same area. Our mock exams will be pitched at examination level difficulty so you have an exact understanding of the level your child needs to aim for. Below is the criteria for this Grammar School. If you have any questions please contact us:
Capital Fee As Friends’ is a Voluntary Grammar School, a Capital Fee of £140 per annum is charged to all parents. The Board of Governors draws up the Admissions Criteria and delegates to the Education Committee the responsibility for applying these criteria. Any reference below to the Board of Governors includes any committee or sub-committee appointed by the Board of Governors for the purpose of applying the admissions criteria. The Principal is a member of the Board of Governors.
Admissions Criteria for Pupils at the Normal Transfer Stage (Year 8)
The School will initially consider at transfer stage only those pupils who have taken the Entrance Assessment provided by the Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG) and who have been awarded a mark in the form of a standardised score1 or have been assigned to a Group (see below) after determination of an application for Special Provisions or Special Circumstances. Information on the Entrance Assessment is available from the School or on the SEAG website (www.seagni.co.uk). It should be noted that children resident in Northern Ireland at the time of their proposed admission must be admitted before children who are not resident. The process for admissions, should the School have more applications than places available, is as set out below. It should be noted that the Board of Governors will not take into account the position of preference given to the School by the applicant on the Transfer Application. For example, an application received from a pupil who has placed Friends’ second in order of preference on the Transfer Application and who has not been offered a place by the school placed first in order of preference, will be considered in the same way as all first preference applicants to Friends’ School.
Entrance Tests Results A readable copy of the original notification of the score received from SEAG should be uploaded with the Transfer Application.
Admissions
The Board of Governors will consider initially those pupils who have taken the SEAG Entrance Assessment and who have been awarded a score or have been assigned to a Group after determination of an application for Special Provisions or Special Circumstances. Applicants claiming that Special Provisions and/or Special Circumstances apply will be considered first. Once a decision has been made for each pupil for these special cases, the applicant will be considered along with all pupils of the same Group for the purposes of applying the admissions criteria. The Total Standardised Age Scores of all applicants in the SEAG Entrance Assessment will be placed in rank order and grouped within ranges of 7 marks. Higher scores will precede lower scores. To determine which pupils will be accepted into Year 8 the following criteria will be applied:
• Preference will be given to those in Group 1 before Group 2, Group 2 before Group 3, Group 3 before Group 4 and so on.
• If the School is oversubscribed, there will come a point where a group contains more applicants than there are places available. Within that group, the remaining places will be allocated in accordance with the following sub-criteria:
a) applicants who are children of Members or Attenders of the Religious Society of Friends:
b) applicants enrolled in the Preparatory Department of Friends’ School Lisburn;
c) applicants who have a brother or sister enrolled in Years 8-14 at Friends’ School Lisburn at the date of transfer, including applicants who have a twin, or triplet, sibling already admitted;
d) applicants who are transferring from schools which have contributed pupils to Friends’ School Lisburn within the last 5 years (a list of these is below);
e) applicants to whom (a) to (d) above do not apply
Under each of these criteria, applicants who are entitled to Free School Meals3 will be given preference over others who meet this criterion. If, following the application of the above sub-criteria in order, there comes a point where there are more pupils who meet a particular criterion than there are places available then the Board of Governors shall decide which of these pupils are to be admitted on the basis of computerised random selection.
CONTRIBUTORY PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS
Abbey PS,Academy PS, Anahilt PS, Ballinderry PS, Ballycarrickmaddy PS, Ballydown PS, Ballymacash PS, Ballymacrickett PS, Ballymacward PS, Ballynahinch PS, Bocombra PS, Brownlee PS, Cairnshill PS, Carr PS, Christ The Redeemer PS, Cooley PS, Crumlin PS, Downshire PS, Dromara PS, Dromore Central PS, Drumlins PS, Dunmurry PS, Fair Hill PS, Fane Street PS, Finaghy PS, Fort Hill PS, Friends’ Prep PS, Harmony Hill PS, Holy Child PS, Holy Evangelists PS, Holy Trinity PS, Killowen PS, King’s Park PS, Knockmore PS, Largymore PS, Lisburn Central PS, Maghaberry PS, Maralin Village PS, Mckinney PS (Dundrod), Meadowbridge PS, Millennium PS, Moira PS, Moneyrea PS, Oakwood PS, Pond Park PS, Portadown PS, Riverdale PS, Rowandale PS, Seymour Hill PS, St Aloysius PS, St Anne’s PS, St Brendan’s PS (Craigavon), St Bride’s PS, St Colmans PS (Lambeg), St Francis’ PS, St Joseph’s PS (Lisburn), St Joseph’s PS (Crumlin), St Malachy’s PS, St Michael’s PS, St Patrick’s PS (Magheralin), St Peter’s PS, St Teresa’s PS, Stranmillis PS, Taughmonagh PS, Templepatrick PS, Tonagh PS, Wallace Prep PS, Waringstown PS.
Waiting List Policy and Admissions Criteria after the commencement of the school year. A waiting list will be drawn up of those applicants who had initially been refused a place during the transfer procedure, and the admissions criteria listed above will determine the order in which applicants are placed on this list. Should vacancies arise within the admissions numbeR, applicants will be contacted in the order in which they have been placed on the waiting list.
Friends School Lisburn website for a more detailed Admissions Policy document – the https://www.friendsschoollisburn.org.uk
SEAG Products for Friends School Lisburn
Our practice Test Papers, Online Bootcamps, Live Tutor Bootcamps and Mock exams can give your child the edge over the competition for the SEAG exam, while also boosting their confidence which is an often overlooked issue. Our SEAG Practice Test Papers will allow your child to become more familiar with the test questions and to better understand the key topics being tested. Our SEAG Boot Camps will allow your child to master the key topics and our Mock Exams will give your child valuable exam experience.
