About Loreto Grammar School Omagh
Loreto Grammar School Omagh is a Roman Catholic voluntary grammar school for girls in Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, admitting approximately 120 girls into Year 8 via the SEAG Entrance Assessment. The school has an outstanding academic record with GCSE 9-7 results consistently near 100%.
Loreto Grammar School Omagh provides an outstanding academic education in Northern Ireland, with strong results and a wide range of extracurricular activities. GCSE 9–7: 80%.
About the SEAG Transfer Test at Loreto Grammar School Omagh
Loreto Grammar School Omagh is a girls catholic maintained grammar school in Tyrone, Northern Ireland, with a roman catholic 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. Loreto Grammar School Omagh admits 125 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 Loreto Grammar School Omagh 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 Loreto Grammar School Omagh. 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 Loreto Grammar School Omagh
Loreto Grammar School Omagh Admissions Criteria
Loreto Grammar School Omagh is a Roman Catholic voluntary grammar school for girls in Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, admitting approximately 120 girls into Year 8 via the SEAG Entrance Assessment. The school has an outstanding academic record with GCSE 9-7 results consistently near 100%.
- ✓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 Loreto Grammar School, Omagh.
- ✓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.
- ✓Two-route intake — Places are allocated through two parallel routes: Route 1 (academic) fills a maximum of 62 places in rank order of SEAG Total Standardised Age Score; Route 2 (non-academic) fills a minimum of 63 places with no reference to SEAG results. The 62/63 split alternates annually between the routes.
- ✓Tie-breaks (equal scores at the cut-off), in order: Randomised initial-letter surname order: W V Y G J R O E Q I Z D X C M Mc S F P O' B U H L A N K Mac T; Identical names — eldest by date of birth (priority alternates yearly); Random computerised selection.
- ✓The half-academic model derives from Development Proposal DP 459 (March 2016).
- ✓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.loretogs.com.
Loreto Grammar School Omagh Oversubscription Criteria
Places are allocated through two parallel routes: Route 1 (academic) fills a maximum of 62 places in rank order of SEAG Total Standardised Age Score; Route 2 (non-academic) fills a minimum of 63 places with no reference to SEAG results. The 62/63 split alternates annually between the routes. Transcribed from the official published criteria.
- Route criteria as set out in the official document.
What Score Do You Need for Loreto Grammar School, Omagh?
The school does not publish a fixed qualifying score — here is what the official documents and allocation statements actually show:
| 2025/26 — admission number 125 | 141 applications, 132 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 Loreto Grammar School Omagh 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 Loreto Grammar School, Omagh 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 Loreto Grammar School Omagh
The SEAG Entrance Assessment for Loreto Grammar School Omagh 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 Loreto Grammar School Omagh 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 Loreto Grammar School Omagh
Loreto Grammar School Omagh 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 Loreto Grammar School Omagh 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 Loreto Grammar School Omagh (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Loreto Grammar School has a long educational tradition and an outstanding academic record. In 2018 around 99% of its entrants achieved five or more GCSEs at A*–C including English and Maths, and the school was ranked 12th of 191 schools in Northern Ireland.
- GCSE: consistently excellent results across a broad curriculum.
- A-Level / post-16: strong A-Level outcomes (around 82% A*–C in 2018), with high progression to university.
- Progression: high rates of entry to Queen's University Belfast, Ulster University and Russell Group universities.
Loreto is a highly competitive school, historically requiring high entrance scores. Exam results vary year to year, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school website.
Catchment Area for Loreto Grammar School Omagh
Loreto Grammar School is a Catholic voluntary grammar school for girls of around 900 pupils on James Street, Omagh, County Tyrone (BT78 1DL). Founded in 1855 (celebrating its 170th anniversary in 2025) and under the trusteeship of the Loreto Education Trust, it draws pupils from Omagh and the wider County Tyrone area, and does not operate a fixed catchment boundary.
Loreto is regularly oversubscribed; where applications exceed the available Year 8 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
Loreto's ethos is rooted in the tradition of the Sisters of Loreto and their founder Mary Ward, combining a strong Catholic faith life with care for each pupil. The school has invested in first-class facilities in recent years, including an outdoor learning space, the Loreto Garden.
Pupils enjoy a rich co-curricular programme — including Gaelic football, music (choirs, percussion and guitar groups) and debating — alongside service and faith-development activities and the school's own magazine, The Loreto Times.
Loreto Grammar School Omagh — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to Loreto Grammar School, Omagh for Year 8?
Applications to Loreto Grammar School, Omagh 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 Loreto Grammar School, Omagh among your preferences.
Does Loreto Grammar School, Omagh use the SEAG Transfer Test?
Partly — Loreto Grammar School, Omagh operates a split academic / non-academic intake. Places are allocated through two parallel routes: Route 1 (academic) fills a maximum of 62 places in rank order of SEAG Total Standardised Age Score; Route 2 (non-academic) fills a minimum of 63 places with no reference to SEAG results. The 62/63 split alternates annually between the routes.
What SEAG score do I need for Loreto Grammar School, Omagh?
Loreto Grammar School, Omagh 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 demand: 2025/26: 141 applications, 132 admitted against an admission number of 125.
How many Year 8 places does Loreto Grammar School, Omagh have?
Loreto Grammar School, Omagh admits 125 pupils into Year 8 each year — the Department of Education approved Admissions Number in its official criteria document. Recent cycles: 2025/26: 141 applications, 132 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 Loreto Grammar School, Omagh?
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 Loreto Grammar School, Omagh?
Loreto Grammar School Omagh is a girls catholic maintained grammar school with a roman catholic ethos, located in Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It admits 125 pupils into Year 8 each September.
How can my child prepare for the SEAG Test for Loreto Grammar School, Omagh?
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 Loreto Grammar School, Omagh's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Criteria document for Loreto Grammar School, Omagh is published on the school's official website at https://www.loretogs.com 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.