🏫 Foyle College – SEAG Practice Papers with Video Explanations
Voluntary Grammar School | Co-educational | Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland | Ages 11–18
📚 History of Foyle College
Foyle College is one of the oldest schools in Northern Ireland, tracing its origins back to 1617, when it was founded as Foyle Free Grammar School by Mathias Springham of the Merchant Taylors’ Company of London. Over the centuries, the school has evolved through a number of iterations, including mergers with Londonderry High School (for girls), eventually becoming the co-educational Foyle College we know today.
In 2017, to mark its 400th anniversary, the school moved into a state-of-the-art new campus in the Waterside area of Derry/Londonderry. This purpose-built site includes cutting-edge facilities for sciences, technology, sport, and the arts.
The school motto is “Industria et Probitate” – By Industry and Integrity, reflecting its longstanding values of hard work, character, and academic ambition.
👨🎓 Pupil Numbers & School Structure
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Total Pupils: ~860
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Year 8 Intake: ~130 pupils
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Sixth Form: ~200 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: Non-denominational (inclusive Christian ethos)
🎓 Academic Reputation
Foyle College is well regarded as one of the leading grammar schools in the North West of Northern Ireland, with a focus on academic success, broad subject offerings, and pastoral care. The school has modernised its curriculum and facilities while maintaining a strong traditional grammar school ethos.
✅ Academic Strengths:
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Particularly strong in Sciences, Maths, English, ICT, and Languages
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Modern facilities for Technology, Engineering, and Performing Arts
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High progression to Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University, and mainland UK institutions
📊 Academic Performance:
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GCSEs:
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~97–99% of pupils achieve 5+ GCSEs at grades A–C*, including English and Maths
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~80–85% of GCSE grades at A–B*
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A-Levels:
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~85%+ of grades at A–C*
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Students secure places in a range of competitive courses: Medicine, Law, Engineering, Creative Arts, and Sciences
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🏆 Awards & Recognition
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Celebrated 400 years of education in 2017 – one of the oldest grammar schools in Ireland
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ETI reports praise the school for:
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Academic achievement
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Teaching quality
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Pupil wellbeing and leadership opportunities
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Awards in:
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Young Enterprise NI
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BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition
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STEM competitions and Maths Olympiads
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Eco-Schools Green Flag Status
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Sport and music are strong at the school, with regular achievements in:
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Ulster Schools’ Hockey and Rugby
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Music festivals and choir competitions
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🏫 Foyle College – Contact Information
School Name: Foyle College
Type: Co-educational Voluntary Grammar School (Ages 11–18)
Location: Derry~Londonderry, Northern Ireland
📍 Address:
Foyle College
67 Northland Road
Londonderry
BT48 0AN
Northern Ireland
United Kingdom
☎️ Telephone:
+44 (0)28 7126 9321
📧 Email:
info@foylecollege.derry.ni.sch.uk
🌐 Website:
📱 Social Media:
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Facebook: Foyle College
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Twitter/X: @FoyleCollege
SEAG Score Needed to get into Foyle College (Londonderry/Derry)
Below is historical scores for Foyle College from 2024 to 2014.
2024 Lowest Grade – SEAG – 182
2023 Lowest Grade – AQE – 95
2022 Lowest Grade – AQE – 97
2021 N/A
2020 Lowest Grade – AQE – 95
2019 Lowest Grade – AQE – 94
2018 Lowest Grade – AQE – 92
2017 Lowest Grade – AQE – 88
2016 Lowest Grade – AQE – 86
2015 Lowest Grade – AQE – 83
2014 Lowest Grade – AQE – 77
As you can see from the above stats 97 in AQE test in most years will have got you into Foyle College. The highest score needed was 97 in 2022 for AQE and lowest score was 77 in 2014 & 2015. We also have information on the SEAG score for 2024. The lowest SEAG score to get a place at Foyle College in 2024 was 182.
A 97 score in old AQE test is equivalent to 190 in new SEAG test, so based on past intake a minimum score of 190+ in SEAG test would give your child a very high chance of getting accepted into Foyle College. As we can see a score of 182 got you a place at Foyle College in 2024 so the guide for past scores was not far of the mark. We would still recommend getting a score above 195 in new SEAG test to have a high chance of getting accepted at Foyle College.
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 Foyle College
Preparing for the SEAG Transfer Test effectively is crucial to securing a place at highly competitive grammar schools like Foyle College. 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
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🎥 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.
Foyle College 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 Foyle College.
Why Choose ExamTutor 11+ Practice Papers for Foyle College 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 Foyle College 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.
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📋 Admissions Criteria
If applications exceed places (~130), the school applies the following:
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SEAG score – applicants ranked by result
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Siblings of current/former pupils
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Children of staff or former pupils
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Pupils from contributory/partner primary schools
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Geographical proximity to the school
✅ Special Circumstances (e.g. SEN, illness, bereavement, or newcomers to Northern Ireland) are considered when supported by 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 |
| School Offers Announced | March |
SEAG Information for ‘Foyle College
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. Foyle College (Londonderry) is a SEAG School. Foyle College (Londonderry) 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 Foyle College (Derry/Londonderry)
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:
The Selectors will, on the basis of all of the documented, provided in the online application process, admit pupils using the following criteria:
1. Applicants who will be resident in Northern Ireland at the time of their proposed admission will be considered before other applicants.
2. Applicants will be admitted in relation to their Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) in the SEAG Assessment, as reported by SEAG, as amended under Special Circumstances, or allocated under Special Provisions, in rank order, highest mark first.
3. If there are more applicants with a particular mark than places remaining, then pupils at that mark will be selected by applying the following criteria in the order set down:
3.1. Applicants who have a sibling (‘child of the family’ as defined above) who is a pupil in the school or will be in the academic year under consideration at the time of application;
3.2. Applicants who are transferring from the following contributory primary schools: Artigarvan Ashlea Ballougry Bready Jubilee Culmore Cumber Claudy Donemana Drumahoe Ebrington Eglinton Fountain Greenhaw Londonderry Model Lisnagelvin Newbuildings Strabane Oakgrove Integrated
3.3. Applicants who are the eldest child in the family, as evidenced on the Online Transfer Application;
3.4. Other applicants ranked by Date of Birth – eldest first. Note: Should two or more such applicants have the same Date of Birth, the initial letter of the surname in alphabetical order as it appears on the Birth Certificate will be used.
4. In the event of there being fewer applicants for admission with SEAG Assessment marks than the school’s Admissions Number, the above criteria will also be applied to applicants who did not sit the test. The Selectors reserve the right to require such supplementary evidence as it may determine to support or verify information on any Application Form/Transfer Application. The provision of false or incorrect information or the failure to provide information within the deadlines set by the school can result in the withdrawal of a place and the inability to offer a place on the part of the school as nominated on the applicant’s Transfer Application.
When applying the above criteria, should the number of pupils who satisfy the requirements of any criterion exceed the number of places remaining, then the candidates will be listed by Date of Birth, eldest first, and admitted in that order. Note: Should two or more such applicants have the same Date of Birth, the initial letter of the surname in alphabetical order as it appears on the Birth Certificate will be used.
Duty to Verify
The Board of Governors reserves the right to require such supplementary evidence as it may determine to support or verify information on any applicant’s Online Transfer Application. In the case of an applicant whom it is claimed is the eldest child in the family, a letter of confirmation must be uploaded to the Online Transfer Application. This letter must state that the child is the eldest in the family and that the child and family are known to the verifier. The letter must be written on headed notepaper and signed by one of the following who is not a member of the applicant’s family and who has known the applicant for at least two years:
a. a primary school Principal
b. a medical practitioner
c. a solicitor
d. a member of the clergy or PSNI.
If the requested evidence is not provided to the Board of Governors by the deadline given, this will result in the withdrawal of an offer of a place. Similarly, if information is supplied which appears to be false or misleading in any material way, the offer of a place will be withdrawn.
WAITING LIST POLICY – Candidates not admitted at this stage will be held on a Reserve List for consideration should places become available and will be admitted by application of the above criteria. Parents/Guardians should be aware that the school’s Admissions Number is fixed by the Department of Education and that extra places cannot be awarded by Governors.
Foyle College (Londonderry/Derry) website for a more detailed Admissions Policy document – the https://sch.foylenet.org.uk
SEAG Products for Foyle College (Londonderry/Derry)
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.
