About Friends School Lisburn
Friends School Lisburn 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 based on their SEAG grade and individual admissions criteria.
Friends School Lisburn provides an outstanding academic education in Northern Ireland, with strong results and a wide range of extracurricular activities. GCSE 9–7: 78.2%.
About the SEAG Transfer Test at Friends School Lisburn
Friends School Lisburn is a co-educational voluntary grammar school in Down, Northern Ireland, with a quaker / non-denominational ethos. Entry to Year 8 (Form 1) for September 2026 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. Friends School Lisburn admits 175 Year 8 pupils per year.
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 (28 questions on punctuation, grammar, spelling and comprehension) and Mathematics (28 questions, mix of multiple-choice and free response). The combined result is the Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) — a numerical score normalised against the cohort age distribution, which Friends School Lisburn uses to rank applicants for admission.
For 2026 entry, results are released to parents/guardians on Saturday 24 January 2026 via the SEAG portal. The Education Authority NI Transfer Portal opens at 12 noon on Tuesday 27 January 2026 and applications must be submitted by 12 noon on Thursday 19 February 2026. Late applications may be considered up to 4pm on Wednesday 4 March 2026 in exceptional circumstances. Offers Day for Friends School Lisburn and all other Northern Ireland post-primary schools is Friday 24 April 2026.
This page is updated each year with the latest verified admissions criteria, dates and oversubscription rules for Friends School Lisburn. 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 Friends School Lisburn
Friends School Lisburn Admissions Criteria
Friends School Lisburn 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 based on their SEAG grade and individual admissions criteria.
- ✓Register for the SEAG Transfer Test at seagni.co.uk — registration typically opens in May and closes in October.
- ✓Sit the SEAG Entrance Assessment in November every year of Primary 7 (P7) — two papers covering English and Mathematics, tests are one week apart (60 minutes per paper).
- ✓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).
- ✓Upload your Statement of Outcomes (available from the SEAG website from late January) with the online Transfer Application to Friends School Lisburn.
- ✓Special Circumstances / Special Provisions: Applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee who may award an equivalent TSAS and Band.
- ✓Criterion (i) — Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- ✓Criterion (ii) — Medical, disability or pastoral need that specifically requires attendance at this school — professional documentation required.
- ✓Criterion (iii) — Siblings: applicants with a child of the family currently or previously enrolled at Friends School Lisburn.
- ✓Criterion (iv) — All remaining applicants ranked by SEAG Band achieved, then by Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS), highest first — up to the admissions number of 120 places.
- ✓Tie-break (within Criterion iv): First priority to pupils receiving Free School Meals Entitlement; remaining places allocated by a computer-based process using applicant names.
- ✓Apply to Friends School Lisburn via the online Transfer Application — deadline typically February. Full Admissions Criteria: www.friendsschoollisburn.org.uk.
Friends School Lisburn Oversubscription Criteria
If applications exceed the 175 place admission number, the Board of Governors applies the following criteria in order. Final ranking uses the SEAG Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) achieved in the November SEAG Entrance Assessment.
- Looked-after / previously looked-after children
- FSME applicants
- Eldest/only child or sibling currently attending Friends
- Highest TSAS ranked order
Key Dates & Deadlines — Friends School Lisburn 2026 Entry
| 📌 SEAG Registration opens | ~May 2025 at seagni.co.uk |
| 📌 SEAG Registration closes | ~October 2025 |
| 📌 SEAG Entrance Assessment | November 2025 — two papers, one week apart (60 mins each, English & Maths) |
| 📌 SEAG Results released | Saturday 24 January 2026 — download from your SEAG portal account |
| 📌 EA Portal opens for school applications | 12 noon, Tuesday 27 January 2026 |
| 📌 EA Portal closes (apply by) | 12 noon, Thursday 19 February 2026 |
| 📌 Late applications deadline | 4pm, Wednesday 4 March 2026 (treated equally if circumstance verified) |
| 📌 Offers issued (Offers Day) | Friday 24 April 2026 |
How to Apply to Friends School Lisburn via SEAG & EA NI
Step 1 — Register your child for SEAG
Register online at seagni.co.uk when registration opens around May. Closes around October. There is no fee to sit the SEAG test.
Step 2 — Sit the SEAG Entrance Assessment
Your child sits two SEAG papers in November of Primary 7 (P7), one week apart, each 60 minutes covering English (28 questions) and Mathematics (28 questions).
Step 3 — Download your SEAG Statement of Outcomes
SEAG releases the Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) on Saturday 24 January 2026. Download from your SEAG portal account.
Step 4 — Open the EA NI Transfer Portal
The Education Authority NI Transfer Portal opens at 12 noon, Tuesday 27 January 2026 — you apply through this portal, NOT directly to the school.
Step 5 — List Friends School Lisburn as a preference
Enter your child's SEAG TSAS and Unique Pupil Number on the Transfer Application and list Friends School Lisburn as one of your school preferences. Upload supporting documents (e.g. FSME, sibling, looked-after evidence).
Step 6 — Submit by the EA Portal deadline
Submit your application by 12 noon, Thursday 19 February 2026. Late applications accepted until 4pm Wed 4 March 2026 in exceptional cases.
Step 7 — Receive your offer on Offers Day
Offers are issued via the EA Portal on Friday 24 April 2026. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join a waiting list via the EA.
SEAG Subjects Tested at Friends School Lisburn
The SEAG Entrance Assessment for Friends School Lisburn 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 multiple-choice format 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 Friends School Lisburn 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 Friends School Lisburn
Friends School Lisburn 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 Friends School Lisburn 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 Friends School Lisburn (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Friends' School Lisburn is highly regarded for academic excellence and consistently ranks among Northern Ireland's top grammar schools, having twice been named Sunday Times Northern Ireland School of the Year (and placed second in 2023–24).
- GCSE & A-Level: excellent results across a broad curriculum, with strength in Sciences, English, Mathematics, Modern Languages, History and Music.
- Destinations: almost all pupils progress to university or higher-level apprenticeships.
- Progression: high rates of entry to Queen's University Belfast, Ulster University and Russell Group universities.
Exam results vary year to year, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school website.
Catchment Area for Friends School Lisburn
Friends' School Lisburn is a co-educational voluntary grammar school of Quaker foundation, founded in 1774 and set on a spacious, leafy campus at 6 Magheralave Road, Lisburn (BT28 3BH). It serves a broad area across Lisburn, Greater Belfast and surrounding towns but does not operate a fixed catchment boundary.
As a voluntary grammar school it charges an annual capital fee of around £140 (with 50% remission available in certain cases) plus a voluntary contribution; there are no tuition fees for a Year 8 place won through SEAG. The school is heavily oversubscribed, and where applications exceed places the Board of Governors ranks applicants on the SEAG Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS). Always confirm the current criteria in the school's admissions booklet.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1774 by the Religious Society of Friends, Friends' is the only Quaker school in Northern Ireland and one of nine in Britain and Ireland. Its Quaker ethos — care for the individual and the development of each person's potential — remains central, while the school warmly welcomes pupils of all faiths and none.
Alongside a strong pastoral focus, the school offers an extensive enrichment programme in sport, music and the arts, plus a wide range of other activities, supported by modern facilities including a Sports Hall and refurbished science laboratories.
Friends School Lisburn — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to Friends School Lisburn for Year 8?
Applications to Friends School Lisburn are made through the Education Authority NI Transfer Portal — NOT directly to the school. The EA NI portal opens at 12 noon on Tuesday 27 January 2026 and closes at 12 noon on Thursday 19 February 2026. You will need your child's SEAG Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) and SEAG Unique Pupil Number. List Friends School Lisburn as a preference on the application form.
Does Friends School Lisburn use the SEAG Transfer Test?
Yes — Friends School Lisburn 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 covering English (28 questions) and Mathematics (28 questions).
What SEAG score do I need for Friends School Lisburn?
The minimum SEAG Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) required for Friends School Lisburn is see Friends School Lisburn admissions page. Friends School Lisburn ranks applicants by TSAS from highest to lowest, with places allocated up to the admission number of 175 Year 8 places per year. Tie-break criteria apply for tied scores.
How many Year 8 places does Friends School Lisburn have?
Friends School Lisburn admits 175 pupils into Year 8 each year. Demand typically exceeds supply, so the Board of Governors applies the published oversubscription criteria in priority order — looked-after children first, then SEAG TSAS ranking, with school-specific tiebreakers (e.g. FSME, siblings, distance).
When are SEAG results released in 2026?
SEAG results (Statement of Outcomes) for the 2026 entry round are released on Saturday 24 January 2026. Parents/guardians can download the Statement of Outcomes from their SEAG portal account at seagni.co.uk and must upload it with their Friends School Lisburn Transfer Application.
When is Offers Day for Friends School Lisburn in 2026?
Offers Day for Year 8 admission in 2026 is Friday 24 April 2026. Offers are issued through the Education Authority NI Transfer Portal. If unsuccessful you can join a waiting list or lodge an appeal through the EA NI.
What type of school is Friends School Lisburn?
Friends School Lisburn is a co-educational voluntary grammar school with a quaker / non-denominational ethos, located in Down, Northern Ireland. It is academically selective via the SEAG Transfer Test and admits 175 pupils into Year 8 each September.
How can my child prepare for the SEAG Test for Friends School Lisburn?
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 Friends School Lisburn's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Criteria document for Friends School Lisburn 2026 entry is published on the school's official website at https://www.friendsschoollisburn.com/admissions. Always check the school's website for the most up-to-date oversubscription criteria, Open Day dates, and any school-specific application forms or required documents.