Strathearn School Belfast Information

🏫 Strathearn School, Belfast – SEAG Practice Papers with Video Explanations

SEAG Practice Test Pack 1

£35.00

• 4 High Quality Practice Tests.
• 4 x English & Maths Papers
• Video Solutions for all Questions!
• 12 Hours of Video Content.
• 224 Video Explanations.

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SEAG Practice Test Pack 2

£35.00

• 4 High Quality Practice Tests.
• 4 x English & Maths Papers
• Video Solutions for all Questions!
• 9 Hours of Video Content.
• 224 Video Explanations.

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SEAG Practice Test Pack 3

£35.00

• 4 High Quality Practice Tests.
• 4 x English & Maths Papers
• Video Solutions for all Questions!
• 9.5 Hours of Video Content.
• 224 Video Explanations.

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SEAG Practice Tests – Multi-Pack Bundle

£85.00

• 12 High Quality Practice Tests.
• 12 x English & Maths Papers
• Video Solutions for all Questions!
• 30.5 Hours of Video Content.
• 672 Video Explanations.

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Voluntary Grammar School for Girls | Belfast, Northern Ireland | Ages 11–18

📚 History of Strathearn School, Belfast

Strathearn School was founded in 1929 as a girls’ preparatory department of Victoria College, Belfast, but became an independent school in 1950. Located in the leafy suburb of Belmont in East Belfast, the school has grown to become one of Northern Ireland’s leading grammar schools for girls.

Strathearn has a strong tradition of academic excellence, pastoral care, and personal development, all within a nurturing, supportive, and inclusive environment. It is well known for encouraging young women to excel both in the classroom and beyond.

👨‍🎓 Pupil Numbers & School Structure

• Total Pupils: ~780

• Year 8 Intake: ~100 students

• Sixth Form: ~200 students

• Gender: Girls only

• Age Range: 11–18

• School Type: Voluntary Grammar School

• Location: Belmont Road, East Belfast

🎓 Academic Reputation

Strathearn is widely regarded as one of the top-performing all-girls grammar schools in Northern Ireland, consistently delivering excellent academic outcomes at both GCSE and A-Level.

✅ Academic Strengths:

• Particularly strong in English, Maths, Sciences, Languages, and the Arts

• High levels of success in university entrance, including Medicine, Law, and STEM fields

• Noted for high-quality teaching, student engagement, and exam preparation

📊 Academic Results (Typical Year):

• GCSEs:

  • ~99–100% of pupils achieve 7+ GCSEs at grades A–C*

  • ~85–90% of grades at A–A*

• A-Levels:

  • ~85% of grades at A–B*

  • Strong progression to Russell Group universities, including Queen’s University Belfast, Trinity College Dublin, and UK top-tier universities

🏆 Awards & Recognition

• Regularly ranked in the Top 10 grammar schools in Northern Ireland

🏫 Strathearn School – Contact Information

School Name: Strathearn School
Type: Voluntary Grammar School for Girls (Ages 11–18)
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland

📍 Address:

Strathearn School
188 Belmont Road
Belfast
BT4 2AU
Northern Ireland
United Kingdom

☎️ Telephone:

+44 (0)28 9047 1595

📧 Email:

info@strathearn.org.uk

🌐 Website:

https://www.strathearn.org.uk

📱 Social Media:

• Facebook: Strathearn School Belfast

• Twitter/X: @StrathearnSch

You can view the school’s location on the map below:

SEAG Score Needed to get into Strathearn School Belfast

Below is historical scores for Strathearn School Belfast from 2023 to 2014.

2023 Lowest Score – AQE 98
2022 Lowest Grade – AQE 94
2021 N/A
2020 Lowest Grade – AQE 100
2019 Lowest Grade – AQE 100
2018 Lowest Grade – AQE 100
2017 Lowest Grade – AQE 96
2016 Lowest Grade – AQE 102
2015 Lowest Grade – AQE 104
2014 Lowest Grade – AQE 98
As you can see from the above stats and 100 in AQE in recent years will have got you into Strathearn School Belfast. The highest score needed was 104 in 2015 and lowest 94 in 2022.
A 100 score in old AQE test is equivalent to 195 in new SEAG test so based on past intake a minimum score of 195+ in SEAG test would give your child a high chance of getting accepted into Strathearn School Belfast.

SEAG Comparison with historical AQE and PPTC outcomes:

*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.

📘 How to Use ExamTutor SEAG Transfer Test Practice Papers (with Video Explanations) to Achieve High Scores for Strathearn School, Belfast

Preparing for the SEAG Transfer Test effectively is crucial to securing a place at highly competitive grammar schools like Strathearn School, Belfast. Using ExamTutor’s SEAG Transfer Test Practice Papers with video explanations is one of the smartest ways to build exam confidence, improve accuracy, and boost scores.

Below is a step-by-step strategy to help you make the most of your resources and target success.

🎯 Why ExamTutor Practice Papers Work

ExamTutor provides:

• Authentic SEAG-style questions in Maths and English

• Step-by-step video solutions that explain how and why each answer works

✅ Step-by-Step Strategy for Using ExamTutor SEAG Practice Papers

Step 1: Set a Study Schedule

• Begin preparation at least 6–9 months before the SEAG test (ideally by January or February of Primary 6)

• Aim for 2–3 practice sessions per week, gradually increasing frequency closer to the test (in November)

Step 2: Start with One Full Practice Paper

• Attempt a paper without a time limit

• Use the ExamTutor printable PDF

• Do not use help or calculators

📌 Tip: Start with a “practice” paper to assess your current level in:

• English (comprehension, grammar, punctuation)

• Maths (mental arithmetic, problem-solving, word problems)

Step 3: Review Your Answers Using Video Explanations

• After each paper, watch the video solutions provided by ExamTutor for every question you got wrong — and those you got right by guessing

• Pay attention to:

  • Why an answer is correct

  • How to avoid common traps

  • Time-saving strategies

• Take notes in a dedicated SEAG notebook

• 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 pupils fully understand concepts rather than just memorising answers.

Step 4: Focus on Weak Areas

• Track the types of questions you consistently get wrong:

  • In English: Inference, vocabulary, punctuation, grammar

  • In Maths: Fractions, word problems, percentages, multi-step logic

• Use targeted ExamTutor video lessons or supplementary topic-specific questions

📌 Tip: Keping a detailed track of questions you got incorrect can be reviewed at a later date to reinforce the topic.

Step 5: 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.

Step 6: Use Spaced Repetition

• Rotate papers every few weeks — don’t repeat the same one too soon

• Revisit older papers to ensure retention

• Use the “mark and reflect” method:

  • Mark answers

  • Watch relevant videos

  • Reflect on what you’ve learned and write a short summary

Step 7: Mock Exam Month (October)

• In the month before the SEAG test:

  • Do 2 full practice papers per week

  • Use ExamTutor’s practice test papers under realistic timed conditions

  • Review your mistakes using the videos within 24 hours

✅ How This Helps with Strathearn School, Belfast Admission

• Strathearn School, Belfast ranks applicants by SEAG score, giving priority to high scorers

• By using ExamTutor:

  • You build familiarity with SEAG-style questions

  • You strengthen core exam techniques

  • You develop accuracy under time pressure

  • You avoid repeat mistakes

📦 Suggested ExamTutor SEAG Resources

• 📘 SEAG Practice Papers Pack 1,2 & 3 with Video Explanations

👉 Available at: www.examtutor.co.uk through subscription packages

💡 Bonus Tips for Parents

• Avoid low quality repetitive practice tests, will only create a negative attitude

• Build a calm and positive home environment for study

• Focus on progress, not perfection

• Celebrate small wins to keep motivation high

• Use breaks and rewards to avoid burnout

📍 Final Thoughts

Why Choose ExamTutor 11+ Practice Papers for Strathearn School, Belfast 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 Strathearn School, Belfast 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.

✏️ Year 8 Admissions Criteria & How to Apply

✅ Entry via SEAG Transfer Test

Strathearn School, Belfast is part of the SEAG (Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group) and admits pupils into Year 8 based on performance in the SEAG Transfer Test.

🧪 SEAG Transfer Test Format

• The SEAG test replaces the previous AQE/GL systems

• Taken in November of Primary 7

• Two test papers:

  1. SEAG Test Paper 1

  2. SEAG Test Paper 2

• Each paper is 1 hour

• Questions are multiple choice and written responses

• Results are standardised and age-adjusted

Strathearn School, Belfast uses SEAG scores to rank applicants and apply admissions criteria.

📋 Admissions Criteria (Subject to Annual Review)

If applications exceed available places, the school applies the following criteria:

1. Pupils with valid SEAG scores, ranked by result

2. Siblings of current or past pupils

3. Daughters of staff or former pupils

4. Children attending designated feeder or contributory schools

5. Proximity to school (tie-breaker)

✅ The school may also consider Special Circumstances (e.g. illness, SEN, relocation) when supported by evidence.

📅 Admissions Timeline – 2025 Entry (Indicative)

💷 Fees

• Strathearn is a state-funded grammar school – no tuition fees

• Optional costs may apply for:

  • Uniform

  • Music tuition

  • School trips and extracurricular activities

  • Voluntary school fund contributions

SEAG Information for Strathearn School Belfast

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. Our Lady’s Grammar School is a SEAG School. Strathearn School Belfast 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 Strathearn School Belfast

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:
Entrance Test Results Strathearn School intends to use the Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) (“the Score”) as awarded by the Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG). The Score in the SEAG assessments and SEAG Candidate number should both be entered in the relevant section of the Online Transfer Application. The original notification received from SEAG indicating your daughter’s SEAG Score should be uploaded to the Online Transfer Application.
School Fee The Strathearn School Fee is £365 per pupil for the academic year of 2024/25
ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
Strathearn (the ‘School’) is an all girls grammar school offering a wide-ranging curriculum of academic courses. The School will initially consider only those applicants who have taken the assessment papers provided by the Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG). The School will use the Score as awarded by SEAG to an applicant subject only to the consideration by the Board of Governors of those applicants claiming Special Circumstances or Special Provisions as explained below. Information on SEAG is available from the School or the SEAG website www.seagni.co.uk.
The Score in the SEAG assessments and the SEAG Candidate number should both be entered on the Transfer Application. The original notification received from SEAG indicating your daughter’s Score should be uploaded to the Online Transfer Application. This information will be verified by the School.
Strathearn will not use as a criterion the position of preference given to the School by the applicant on the Transfer Application. Therefore, a girl who has listed Strathearn as a second or subsequent preference school will be considered in the same way as those who have placed Strathearn first on the list.
Girls resident in Northern Ireland at the time of their proposed admission to the School will be selected for admission before any girl not so resident.
1. The first 110 places from the admissions total of 120 will be allocated to girls on the basis of the rank order of their respective Scores; those achieving higher Scores being allocated places before those with lower Scores. If more than one girl is eligible for the 110th place because they have equal Scores, then all such girls will be allocated places up to the School’s admission number, using, if necessary, the criteria listed in 4 below.
2. Following the allocation of places as described in criterion 1, a pool (the ‘Pool’) will be established, and the remaining places (if any) shall be allocated from the Pool. The Pool will consist of at least 15 girls identified on the basis of the rank order of their respective Scores. The Pool will include all girls who achieved the three next highest Scores. If the number of girls achieving these Scores is less than 15, then all girls achieving the fourth next highest Score shall be included in the Pool and, if necessary, the fifth next highest Score and so on, until the Pool consists of at least 15 girls. Once the Pool has been established, girls from the Pool will be allocated to the remaining places on application of the criteria listed in 4 below.
3. If, following the application of criteria 1 and 2 above, all the available places have not been filled, the School will consider for admission any girls who have not taken the SEAG assessment. Allocation of the remaining places will be made by applying the criteria listed in 4 below.
4. If as specified above, the number of applications exceeds the number of available places, or point 3 above applies, the following further criteria will then apply, in the order stated:
(i) girls enrolled in the School’s Preparatory Department;
(ii) girls with a child of the family1 currently enrolled in the School’s Secondary Department (details to be supplied) or accepted for enrolment in September 2024;
(iii) girls who are the eldest child of the family (details to be supplied);
(iv) girls with the highest Scores;
(v) girls who are entitled to Free School Meals;
(vi) girls with a child of the family who has attended the School’s Secondary Department (name and date of attendance to be supplied);
(vii) girls with a child of the family currently enrolled in Years 8 to 14 or accepted for enrolment, in Campbell College (details to be supplied);
(viii) if more than one girl is eligible for the final place, priority will be given to the girl whose home is closer to the School. Distance will be measured in a straight line using an Ordnance Survey web distance measurement tool from the front door of the girl’s home to the front entrance of the School’s main administrative building. Home will be taken to mean the girl’s address appearing at the commencement of the Transfer Application Form.
The School emphasises that it is the responsibility of the applicants to notify the School on the Online Transfer Application where the above criteria apply, and to furnish relevant details.
• Educational Evidence
It is the responsibility of the parents to provide the educational evidence as detailed in the Form SC. This should include (where they exist):
a) the Score awarded in the SEAG assessments;
b) the results for the applicant of any standardised tests conducted in Year 5, Year 6 and Year 7 and the results in any end of year tests in English and Mathematics in Years 5 and 6;
c) additional comparative information from the Primary School for other pupils in the applicant’s Year 7 class (without names) and which should include the results of any standardised tests conducted in Year 5, Year 6 and Year 7, the results in any end of year tests in English and Mathematics in Years 5 and 6, and, where available, the respective SEAG scores;
d) any other relevant material.
A panel of Governors will consider the application for Special Circumstances and where accepted, the panel will determine a score for the applicant. In determining a score, the panel will consider all of the academic information presented, and, if necessary, comparative data collected by the School. Such applicants will then be considered with all other applicants who have received a SEAG score and the admissions criteria applied.
Waiting Lists.
Strathearn School operates a waiting lists policy. For Year 8, all applications for admission to Year 8 that were initially refused will be automatically added to the waiting list. New applications, late applications and applications where new information has been provided will also be added to the waiting list. This waiting list will be in place until the end of the following academic year, that is, the end of Year 8. Please contact the School if you wish your daughter’s name to be removed from the list. Should a vacancy arise after the day placement notification has been issued from the Education Authority, the published criteria will be applied to the waiting list to select the next candidate for admission. Waiting lists are also maintained for other Years and applications should be made in writing using the form available on the School website or from reception.
Visit Strathearn School Belfast website for a more detailed Admissions Policy document – https://www.strathearn.org.uk