About Bloomfield Collegiate Belfast
Bloomfield Collegiate Belfast is a voluntary grammar school in Northern Ireland, admitting pupils into Year 8 via the SEAG Entrance Assessment, the Northern Ireland 11 plus transfer test. The SEAG Transfer Test, taken in Primary 7 (P7), consists of two papers each covering English and Mathematics. The school selects pupils in strict rank order of their SEAG Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS), applying published tie-break criteria only where scores are equal.
Bloomfield Collegiate Belfast provides an outstanding academic education in Northern Ireland, with strong results and a wide range of extracurricular activities. GCSE 9–7: 70%.
About the SEAG Transfer Test at Bloomfield Collegiate Belfast
Bloomfield Collegiate Belfast is a girls voluntary grammar school in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with a non-denominational ethos. Entry to Year 8 (Form 1) is academically selective via the SEAG Entrance Assessment — administered by the Schools' Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG) on behalf of voluntary, controlled and Catholic-maintained grammar schools across Northern Ireland. Bloomfield Collegiate Belfast admits 110 Year 8 pupils per year — the Department of Education approved Admissions Number in its official criteria.
The SEAG Transfer Test consists of two papers, each 60 minutes long, taken in November of Primary 7 (P7) and spaced one week apart. Each paper covers English (punctuation, grammar, spelling and comprehension) and Mathematics (the Key Stage 2 curriculum), in a mix of multiple-choice and free-response questions. The combined result is the Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) — a numerical score normalised against the cohort age distribution, which Bloomfield Collegiate Belfast uses to rank applicants for admission.
For the current cycle (September 2027 entry), registration at seagni.co.uk closes at 11:59pm on Friday 18 September 2026 (£20 fee; families with Free School Meals Entitlement are exempt). Paper 1 is Saturday 14 November 2026 and Paper 2 is Saturday 21 November 2026, with results released on Saturday 23 January 2027. The Education Authority NI Transfer Portal window is TBC — last cycle it opened 27 January and closed at 12 noon on 19 February — with Offers Day expected in late April 2027.
ℹ️ Which criteria apply to your child: pupils sitting the November 2026 test are applying for September 2027 entry. Schools publish criteria for each entry year the preceding December, so the criteria on this page reflect the most recent official document. The mechanism changes rarely; this page will be updated when the September 2027 document is published.
This page is updated each year with the latest verified admissions criteria, dates and oversubscription rules for Bloomfield Collegiate Belfast. For the most up-to-date guidance, refer to the school's official admissions page (linked in the Quick Facts panel below) and the SEAG website at seagni.co.uk.
Year 8 Transfer Test Guide for Bloomfield Collegiate Belfast
Bloomfield Collegiate Belfast Admissions Criteria
Bloomfield Collegiate Belfast is a voluntary grammar school in Northern Ireland, admitting pupils into Year 8 via the SEAG Entrance Assessment (Transfer Test). The SEAG Transfer Test, taken in Primary 7 (P7), consists of two papers each covering English and Mathematics. The school selects pupils in strict rank order of their SEAG Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS), applying published tie-break criteria only where scores are equal.
- ✓Register for the SEAG Transfer Test at seagni.co.uk — registration opened 18 May 2026 and closes at 11:59pm on Friday 18 September 2026. The fee is £20 (families with Free School Meals Entitlement are exempt).
- ✓Sit the SEAG Entrance Assessment in November of Primary 7 (P7) — two papers, one week apart (Saturdays 14 and 21 November 2026), each 60 minutes and each covering English and Mathematics.
- ✓Both papers must be sat to receive a full Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS). Pupils sitting only one paper receive an estimated score (shown as ‘e’ on results) and are considered under Special Provisions only, with supporting evidence.
- ✓Upload your Statement of Outcomes (available from the SEAG portal from Saturday 23 January 2027) with the online Transfer Application to Bloomfield Collegiate.
- ✓Special Circumstances / Special Provisions: a two-stage process reviewed by the Admissions Committee, with medical or professional documentation plus P5/P6 standardised-test evidence.
- ✓Eligibility — applicants who sat the SEAG Entrance Assessment (with or without a Special Circumstances claim) and applicants with a valid Special Provisions claim are considered on equal terms.
- ✓Rank order — every one of the 110 places is allocated in strict rank order of SEAG Total Standardised Age Score, highest first.
- ✓Tie-breaks (equal scores at the cut-off), in order: Criterion 2.3 (i)–(v), including feeder / walking-distance primary schools and eldest child.
- ✓Reciprocal sibling arrangement with Campbell College and Strathearn.
- ✓Duty to verify — the school can require evidence for information on the application; false or missing information can cost the place. Full Admissions Criteria: www.bloomfieldcollegiate.org.uk.
Bloomfield Collegiate Belfast Oversubscription Criteria
Every one of the 110 places is allocated in rank order of the SEAG Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) achieved in the November Entrance Assessment. The sub-criteria below are applied only to separate applicants with equal scores at the final places — transcribed from the official published criteria.
- Criterion 2.3 (i)–(v), including feeder / walking-distance primary schools and eldest child
What Score Do You Need for Bloomfield Collegiate?
The school does not publish a fixed qualifying score — here is what the official documents and allocation statements actually show:
| 2026/27 | 109 applicants scoring TSAS 186+ selected; final places at TSAS 185 resolved via sub-criteria — effective cut-off 185 |
| 2025/26 | 106 scoring 186+, then four at 185 via sub-criteria |
| 2026/27 — admission number 110 | 165 applications |
| 2025/26 — admission number 110 | 194 applications, 115 admitted |
Key Dates & Deadlines — November 2026 Test (September 2027 Entry)
| 📌 SEAG Registration opens | Monday 18 May 2026 at seagni.co.uk |
| 📌 SEAG Registration closes | 11:59pm, Friday 18 September 2026 (£20 fee; FSME exempt) |
| 📌 Pupil Cards available | Friday 9 October 2026 |
| 📌 Assessment Paper 1 | Saturday 14 November 2026 |
| 📌 Assessment Paper 2 | Saturday 21 November 2026 |
| 📌 SEAG Results released | Saturday 23 January 2027 — download from your SEAG portal account |
| 📌 Re-mark request window | 25 January – 3 February 2027 |
| 📌 EA Portal opens / closes | TBC — EA to confirm (last cycle: 27 Jan / 12 noon 19 Feb) |
| 📌 Offers issued (Offers Day) | TBC — expected late April 2027 (last cycle: 24 April) |
How to Apply to Bloomfield Collegiate Belfast via SEAG & EA NI
Step 1 — Register your child for SEAG
Register online at seagni.co.uk before 11:59pm on Friday 18 September 2026. The fee is £20 (FSME families exempt — upload EA evidence). A completed Pupil Application is required; an account alone does not register your child.
Step 2 — Sit the SEAG Entrance Assessment
Your child sits two SEAG papers — Saturdays 14 and 21 November 2026 — each 60 minutes, each covering English and Mathematics. Both must be sat for a full TSAS; a single-paper ‘e’ score goes through Special Provisions only.
Step 3 — Download your SEAG Statement of Outcomes
SEAG releases the Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) on Saturday 23 January 2027. Download it from your SEAG portal account.
Step 4 — Open the EA NI Transfer Portal
The Education Authority NI confirms the 2027 window in due course (last cycle: opened 27 January, closed 12 noon 19 February) — you apply through this portal, NOT directly to the school.
Step 5 — List Bloomfield Collegiate as a preference
Enter your child's SEAG TSAS and Unique Pupil Number on the Transfer Application and upload the Statement of Outcomes plus any evidence relevant to the school's sub-criteria (sibling details, primary school).
Step 6 — Submit by the EA Portal deadline
Submit before the EA's published deadline (TBC; last cycle 12 noon, 19 February). Late applications are considered at the EA's discretion in exceptional circumstances only.
Step 7 — Receive your offer on Offers Day
Offers are issued via the EA Portal, expected late April 2027. If unsuccessful you can appeal or join the waiting list through the EA.
SEAG Subjects Tested at Bloomfield Collegiate Belfast
The SEAG Entrance Assessment for Bloomfield Collegiate Belfast tests two subjects across two papers, sat about a week apart in November of Primary 7 (P7). Each paper lasts roughly 60 minutes and uses a mix of multiple-choice and free-response questions with no negative marking.
- English — reading comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar. Wide reading is the single biggest advantage here, building the vocabulary and inference skills the paper rewards.
- Mathematics — the full Key Stage 2 curriculum: number, fractions, decimals, percentages, measures, shape, data handling and multi-step problem solving, with an emphasis on speed and accuracy.
Both papers are combined into a single Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS), which Bloomfield Collegiate Belfast uses to rank applicants for its Year 8 places. There is no separate verbal or non-verbal reasoning paper in the SEAG test.
SEAG Practice Papers for Bloomfield Collegiate Belfast
Bloomfield Collegiate Belfast uses the SEAG format. Our practice papers closely mirror the actual test structure — with full video explanations for every question.
- 12 × English & Mathematics tests
- 672 video explanations
- 30.5 hours of video content
- 4 English & Maths practice tests
- 224 video explanations
- 12 hrs video content
- 4 English & Maths practice tests
- 224 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
- 4 English & Maths practice tests
- 224 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Bloomfield Collegiate Belfast SEAG Transfer Test
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at Bloomfield Collegiate Belfast (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Bloomfield Collegiate is a grammar school for girls whose vision — "excellence in a caring community" — underpins consistently strong academic outcomes, regularly above the Northern Ireland grammar-school average.
- GCSE & A-Level: results consistently above the NI grammar average, across a broad curriculum.
- Progression: strong university progression to Queen's University Belfast, Ulster University and other UK institutions, with pathways into Medicine, Law, Teaching, Engineering, Business and the Arts.
- Sixth form: a rich co-curricular programme alongside academic study.
Exam results vary year to year, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school website.
Catchment Area for Bloomfield Collegiate Belfast
Bloomfield Collegiate is a controlled grammar school for girls in the Ballyhackamore area of East Belfast (Astoria Gardens, BT5 6HW), founded in 1905. It does not operate a fixed catchment boundary — girls may apply from anywhere in Northern Ireland, and in practice the school serves East Belfast and the surrounding area.
The school is regularly oversubscribed (in a recent year around 106 places were filled by applicants scoring 186 and above). Where applications exceed the available places, the Board of Governors ranks applicants on the SEAG Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS). A familiarisation afternoon is offered to candidates sitting the assessment at the school. Always confirm the current criteria in the school's admissions booklet.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Pastoral care at Bloomfield is built around a warm, supportive community and a house system of four houses — Clarke, Curran, Spencer and Walker (named after former headmistresses), each with its own colour. Form tutors and year heads support wellbeing and progress, in keeping with the school's caring ethos.
Girls are encouraged to excel across a wide range of co-curricular activities spanning sport, music, drama and many clubs and societies, with a strong tradition of developing confident, well-rounded young women.
Bloomfield Collegiate Belfast — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to Bloomfield Collegiate for Year 8?
Applications to Bloomfield Collegiate are made through the Education Authority NI Transfer Portal — NOT directly to the school. For September 2027 entry the EA window is TBC (last cycle it opened 27 January and closed at 12 noon on 19 February). You will need your child's SEAG Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) and SEAG Unique Pupil Number, and to upload the Statement of Outcomes. List Bloomfield Collegiate among your preferences.
Does Bloomfield Collegiate use the SEAG Transfer Test?
Yes — Bloomfield Collegiate uses the SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group) Entrance Assessment for admission to Year 8. Pupils sit two SEAG papers in November of Primary 7 (P7), each lasting 60 minutes and each covering English and Mathematics in a mix of multiple-choice and free-response questions. The combined result is the Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS).
What SEAG score do I need for Bloomfield Collegiate?
Bloomfield Collegiate does not publish a minimum TSAS — places are allocated in rank order, so the effective cut-off moves each year with the applicant pool. Recent year-labelled figures: 2026/27: 109 applicants scoring TSAS 186+ selected; final places at TSAS 185 resolved via sub-criteria — effective cut-off 185; 2025/26: 106 scoring 186+, then four at 185 via sub-criteria. Recent demand: 2026/27: 165 applications against an admission number of 110; 2025/26: 194 applications, 115 admitted against an admission number of 110.
How many Year 8 places does Bloomfield Collegiate have?
Bloomfield Collegiate admits 110 pupils into Year 8 each year — the Department of Education approved Admissions Number in its official criteria document. Recent cycles: 2026/27: 165 applications; 2025/26: 194 applications, 115 admitted.
When are SEAG results released?
SEAG results (the Statement of Outcomes) for the November 2026 assessment are released on Saturday 23 January 2027. Parents/guardians can download the Statement of Outcomes from their SEAG portal account at seagni.co.uk and must upload it with their Transfer Application.
When is Offers Day for Bloomfield Collegiate?
Offers Day for September 2027 entry is TBC — expected late April 2027 (last cycle it was Friday 24 April). Offers are issued through the Education Authority NI Transfer Portal. If unsuccessful you can join the waiting list or lodge an appeal through the EA NI.
What type of school is Bloomfield Collegiate?
Bloomfield Collegiate Belfast is a girls voluntary grammar school with a non-denominational ethos, located in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It admits 110 pupils into Year 8 each September.
How can my child prepare for the SEAG Test for Bloomfield Collegiate?
ExamTutor offers a complete SEAG preparation programme including tutor-led practice papers, full video explanations for every question (covering all SEAG topic areas), and downloadable resources mapped to the GL Assessment SEAG specification. We recommend starting preparation 6-12 months before the November SEAG test to allow time for diagnostic, focused practice and confidence building.
Where can I find Bloomfield Collegiate's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Criteria document for Bloomfield Collegiate is published on the school's official website at https://www.bloomfieldcollegiate.org.uk and via the Education Authority NI. Criteria for each entry year are published the preceding December — the September 2027 entry document is due around December 2026. Always check for the most up-to-date criteria, Open Day dates and required documents.
Sources: the school's official "Admissions Criteria" document (published via the Education Authority NI); seagni.co.uk. Transcribed and verified 13 August 2026.