About Rathmore Grammar School
Rathmore Grammar School is a Catholic voluntary grammar school in Finaghy, Belfast, consistently ranked in the top grammar schools in Northern Ireland (Times ranking #35 in 2026). It admits approximately 180 pupils into Year 8 using the SEAG Entrance Assessment. The school is one of the most competitive grammar schools in Northern Ireland — in most years, only pupils achieving a SEAG score of approximately 216+ (equivalent to ~234 in the previous PPTC/GL test) receive an offer. The school was founded in 1973 by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus and became co-educational in 2003.
Rathmore Grammar School provides an outstanding academic education in Northern Ireland, with strong results and a wide range of extracurricular activities. GCSE 9–7: 69.3%.
About the SEAG Transfer Test at Rathmore Grammar School
Rathmore Grammar School is a co-educational voluntary grammar school in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with a roman catholic 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. Rathmore Grammar School admits 180 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 Rathmore Grammar School 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 Rathmore Grammar School 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 Rathmore Grammar School. 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 Rathmore Grammar School
Rathmore Grammar School Admissions Criteria
Rathmore Grammar School is a Catholic voluntary grammar school in Finaghy, Belfast, consistently ranked in the top grammar schools in Northern Ireland (Times ranking #35 in 2026). It admits approximately 180 pupils into Year 8 using the SEAG Entrance Assessment. The school is one of the most competitive grammar schools in Northern Ireland — in most years, only pupils achieving a SEAG score of approximately 216+ (equivalent to ~234 in the previous PPTC/GL test) receive an offer. The school was founded in 1973 by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus and became co-educational in 2003.
- ✓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 Rathmore Grammar School.
- ✓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 Rathmore Grammar School.
- ✓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 180 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 Rathmore Grammar School via the online Transfer Application — deadline typically February. Full Admissions Criteria: www.rathmoregrammarschool.org.
Rathmore Grammar School Oversubscription Criteria
If applications exceed the 180 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
- Eldest/only child or sibling currently attending Rathmore
- Children of staff currently employed by school
- Highest TSAS ranked order
- FSME tiebreak for tied scores
- Computer-based random tiebreak using applicant name
Key Dates & Deadlines — Rathmore Grammar School 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 Rathmore Grammar School 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 Rathmore Grammar School as a preference
Enter your child's SEAG TSAS and Unique Pupil Number on the Transfer Application and list Rathmore Grammar School 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 Rathmore Grammar School
The SEAG Entrance Assessment for Rathmore Grammar School 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 Rathmore Grammar School 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 Rathmore Grammar School
Rathmore Grammar School 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 Rathmore Grammar School 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 Rathmore Grammar School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Rathmore Grammar School ('Rathmore') is one of the highest-performing and most competitive schools in Northern Ireland. It was named Sunday Times Northern Ireland School of the Year in 2015 and has been listed among the very top Northern Ireland schools more recently.
- GCSE & A-Level: consistently excellent results, with strength across the Sciences, Mathematics, English, Languages and the Arts.
- Core curriculum: all pupils take English, English Literature, Mathematics and Religious Studies at GCSE, alongside a wide range of options.
- 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 Rathmore Grammar School
Rathmore Grammar School is a Catholic co-educational voluntary grammar school of around 1,270 pupils on Kingsway, in the Finaghy / Dunmurry area of South Belfast (BT10 0LF). Founded in 1953 by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, it began life in Rathmore House — a 19th-century stately home — and later became co-educational. It draws pupils from across South and West Belfast and beyond, and does not operate a fixed catchment boundary.
Demand for places is always very high; 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
Rathmore's Catholic ethos — expressed in its motto "Ut Vitam Habeant" (That they may have life), shared with the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary — places a strong emphasis on the spiritual and moral formation of pupils, within a fully supportive pastoral care system in which each pupil is encouraged to develop their gifts.
The school (colours blue, gold and white) offers an extensive co-curricular programme — including Gaelic football, hurling, netball, basketball, swimming, tennis and many other sports, plus music, drama and international links with partner schools in Germany and Spain.
Rathmore Grammar School — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to Rathmore Grammar School for Year 8?
Applications to Rathmore Grammar School 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 Rathmore Grammar School as a preference on the application form.
Does Rathmore Grammar School use the SEAG Transfer Test?
Yes — Rathmore Grammar School 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 Rathmore Grammar School?
The minimum SEAG Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) required for Rathmore Grammar School is ~210+ in recent years (highly competitive). Rathmore Grammar School ranks applicants by TSAS from highest to lowest, with places allocated up to the admission number of 180 Year 8 places per year. Tie-break criteria apply for tied scores.
How many Year 8 places does Rathmore Grammar School have?
Rathmore Grammar School admits 180 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 Rathmore Grammar School Transfer Application.
When is Offers Day for Rathmore Grammar School 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 Rathmore Grammar School?
Rathmore Grammar School is a co-educational voluntary grammar school with a roman catholic ethos, located in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is academically selective via the SEAG Transfer Test and admits 180 pupils into Year 8 each September.
How can my child prepare for the SEAG Test for Rathmore Grammar School?
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 SEAG Transfer Test 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 Rathmore Grammar School's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Criteria document for Rathmore Grammar School 2026 entry is published on the school's official website at https://www.rathmoregrammarschool.org/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.