About Thornhill College
Thornhill College 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.
Thornhill College provides an outstanding academic education in Northern Ireland, with strong results and a wide range of extracurricular activities. GCSE 9–7: 70%.
About the SEAG Transfer Test at Thornhill College
Thornhill College is a girls catholic maintained grammar school in Londonderry/Derry, 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. Thornhill College admits 235 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 Thornhill College 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 Thornhill College 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 Thornhill College. 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 Thornhill College
Thornhill College Admissions Criteria
Thornhill College 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 Thornhill College.
- ✓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 Thornhill College.
- ✓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 Thornhill College via the online Transfer Application — deadline typically February. Full Admissions Criteria: www.thornhillcollege.org.uk.
Thornhill College Oversubscription Criteria
If applications exceed the 235 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
- Highest TSAS ranked order
- Catholic applicants from feeder primary schools
- Eldest/only child or sibling currently attending Thornhill
Key Dates & Deadlines — Thornhill College 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 Thornhill College 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 Thornhill College as a preference
Enter your child's SEAG TSAS and Unique Pupil Number on the Transfer Application and list Thornhill College 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 Thornhill College
The SEAG Entrance Assessment for Thornhill College 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 Thornhill College 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 Thornhill College
Thornhill College 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 Thornhill College 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 Thornhill College (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Thornhill College is consistently ranked among the highest-achieving schools in Northern Ireland, with outstanding results at both GCSE and A-Level and a designated specialism in Mathematics and physics.
- GCSE & A-Level: strong results across a broad curriculum, with particular strength in mathematics and the sciences.
- Ethos in practice: a blend of academic rigour, faith formation and student wellbeing.
- 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 Thornhill College
Thornhill College is a Catholic voluntary grammar school for girls of around 1,400–1,500 pupils on the Culmore Road in Derry~Londonderry (BT48 8JF), set on a historic estate overlooking the River Foyle. Its origins trace to the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy in Derry in 1848; the school moved to the Thornhill estate in 1932, took its present name in 1947, and opened a modern purpose-built campus on the site in 2002.
The college admits just over 200 pupils into Year 8, and demand is usually high; applicants are ranked by SEAG band on the SEAG Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS). Always confirm the current criteria in the school's admissions booklet.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Thornhill's Mercy ethos — reflected in its motto "Adveniat Regnum Tuum" (Thy Kingdom come) — emphasises the values of hard work, achievement, enjoyment of learning and service to the community, within a welcoming, inclusive and nurturing environment. As a 'listening school', it values its partnership with parents.
The college offers a wide co-curricular programme across music, sport and the arts, helping each girl realise her potential and develop as a leader in her spiritual, social and professional life.
Thornhill College — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to Thornhill College for Year 8?
Applications to Thornhill College 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 Thornhill College as a preference on the application form.
Does Thornhill College use the SEAG Transfer Test?
Yes — Thornhill College 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 Thornhill College?
The minimum SEAG Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) required for Thornhill College is see Thornhill College admissions page. Thornhill College ranks applicants by TSAS from highest to lowest, with places allocated up to the admission number of 235 Year 8 places per year. Tie-break criteria apply for tied scores.
How many Year 8 places does Thornhill College have?
Thornhill College admits 235 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 Thornhill College Transfer Application.
When is Offers Day for Thornhill College 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 Thornhill College?
Thornhill College is a girls catholic maintained grammar school with a roman catholic ethos, located in Londonderry/Derry, Northern Ireland. It is academically selective via the SEAG Transfer Test and admits 235 pupils into Year 8 each September.
How can my child prepare for the SEAG Test for Thornhill College?
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 Thornhill College's official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Criteria document for Thornhill College 2026 entry is published on the school's official website at https://www.thornhillcollege.co.uk/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.