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) 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 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 Rathmore Grammar School 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 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 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 Rathmore Grammar School.
- ✓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.
- ✓Band-based allocation — Applicants are considered by SEAG Band (Band 1 highest) — all Band 1 applicants are considered before Band 2, and so on. Where the admission number is reached within a band, the sub-criteria below are applied within that band.
- ✓Within-band sub-criteria, in order: Entitlement to Free School Meals (FSME) is applied as a tie-break within the band.
- ✓Rathmore charges no capital fee — unusual among NI voluntary grammars.
- ✓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.rathmoregrammarschool.org.
Rathmore Grammar School Oversubscription Criteria
Applicants are considered by SEAG Band (Band 1 highest) — all Band 1 applicants are considered before Band 2, and so on. Where the admission number is reached within a band, the sub-criteria below are applied within that band. The sub-criteria below apply within the band where the 180-place admission number is reached — transcribed from the official published criteria.
- Entitlement to Free School Meals (FSME) is applied as a tie-break within the band
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 Rathmore Grammar School 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 Rathmore Grammar School 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 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 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 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. 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 Rathmore Grammar School among your preferences.
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 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 Rathmore Grammar School?
Rathmore Grammar School allocates places by SEAG Band rather than a numeric threshold — Band 1 applicants are considered first, then Band 2, and so on. Band-first schools publish the lowest band reached, never a fixed score.
How many Year 8 places does Rathmore Grammar School have?
Rathmore Grammar School admits 180 pupils into Year 8 each year — the Department of Education approved Admissions Number in its official criteria document.
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 Rathmore Grammar School?
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 Rathmore Grammar School?
Rathmore Grammar School is a co-educational voluntary grammar school with a roman catholic ethos, located in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It 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 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 Rathmore Grammar School's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Criteria document for Rathmore Grammar School is published on the school's official website at https://www.rathmoregrammarschool.org 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.