Skip to main content
Search ExamKind
Reading options
Colours
Reading comfort
Background tint

Saved in a cookie on this device only.

Free and independent. No ads, no affiliate links. Every fact shows its source and the date we checked it.

Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School, Newry: Year 8 entry

77a Ashgrove Road, Newry, BT34 1QN

Facts checked 19 October 2026By ExamKind Editorial TeamSchool website

Some details are being re-checked

We check every fact against the official source on a schedule, and some details on this page are due their next check (last verified 19 October 2026). We'll update the page if anything has changed. How we check facts

Can we apply, and what did it take?

For September 2027 entry

  • How places are decided

    By test score, in rank order

    No minimum band; criteria run Band 1 to Band 6 then 'All other boys who have applied'. Cut-off is the 125th place.

    Checked, source: Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School, checked

  • Year 8 places

    125

    2025 entry, Published Admission Number ()

    Checked, source: Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School, checked

  • Last distance offered

    Not publishedWe have no checked figure for how far offers reached.

Your next deadlines

  1. Next: Re-mark requests close

    in about 15 weeks

    Only if you want the test papers marked again

  2. Coming up: Appeal deadline

    in about 30 weeks

How far offers reached

Can we get in?

How places are given

Northern Ireland grammar schools give Year 8 places using their own admissions criteria, often in order of transfer test result. Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School's criteria are under Admission rules on this page.

Qualifying is not the same as being offered a place.

Reaching the school's standard means your child can be considered. If more children qualify than there are places, the school gives places using its admission rules, in order. The figures below show how far those rules reached in past years. They are history, not a prediction: they change every year with who applies.

Checked, source: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked

Most Northern Ireland schools do not publish how far places reached. Read the school's admissions criteria to see how it ranks applicants, and what transfer test results mean.

At a glance

Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School in brief

tap a value for its source

Pupils
boysPupilsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School.The source says: The Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School is a catholic grammar school for boys.View the official source
Who the school admits.
Year 8 places
125Year 8 placesChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School.The source says: Admissions Number:125View the official source2025 entry
The (PAN): how many children the school plans to admit.
Entrance test
SEAG Entrance Assessment (the NI transfer test)
The test children sit to be considered.

Key dates

Dates for September 2027 entry

For children in P7 in 2026/27.

Add to my calendar

SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group)

3 earlier steps, all doneShow

  1. Done: Test registration opens

  2. Done: Test registration closes

  3. Done: Admission cards sent for the test

  1. Next: Test day

  2. Coming up: Transfer test, paper 1

  3. Coming up: Transfer test, paper 2

  4. Coming up: Results

  5. Coming up: Re-mark requests open

  6. Coming up: Re-mark requests close

    in about 15 weeks

    Only if you want the test papers marked again

  7. Coming up: Appeal deadline

    in about 30 weeks

    Source: nidirect (NI Government), checked

  8. Not published yet: Transfer application deadline (to the Education Authority)

    Not yet published, checked 17 Oct 2026

  9. Not published yet: School place outcomes

    Not yet published, checked 9 Oct 2026

Year 5 now? Dates for September 2028 entryNone of these dates are published yet.

  1. Not published yet: Test day

    Not yet published, checked 9 Oct 2026

  2. Not published yet: Results

    Not yet published, checked 9 Oct 2026

  3. Not published yet: Appeal deadline

    Not yet published, checked 9 Oct 2026

  4. Not published yet: Transfer application deadline (to the Education Authority)

    Not yet published, checked 9 Oct 2026

Notes on these dates

SEAG's guidance on timing: Schools publish their criteria for Year 8 September 2027 entry during the 2026-27 school year, before the transfer application process begins.Northern Ireland: Criteria publication timingChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: Each Board of Governors has a responsibility to publish its Admissions Criteria for Year 8 September 2027 Entry. These Criteria are published in the 2026-27 school year before Parents/Guardians begin the Post Primary Transfer Application Process.View the official source

How places are given

14 admission rules, in order, for 2025 entry

If more children qualify than there are places, Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School gives places using these rules (its ), in this order (the 2025 rules; the rules for 2027 entry are not published yet).

  1. 1

    Band 1 (incl. accepted SC/SP of comparable ability).

    The policy's own words
    1. Boys who have been awarded a Band 1 in the SEAG Entrance Assessment
  2. 2

    Band 2.

    The policy's own words
    2. Boys who have been awarded a Band 2 in the SEAG Entrance Assessment
  3. 3

    Band 3.

    The policy's own words
    3. Boys who have been awarded a Band 3 in the SEAG Entrance Assessment
  4. 4

    Band 4.

    The policy's own words
    4. Boys who have been awarded a Band 4 in the SEAG Entrance Assessment
  5. 5

    Band 5.

    The policy's own words
    5. Boys who have been awarded a Band 5 in the SEAG Entrance Assessment
  6. 6

    Band 6.

    The policy's own words
    6. Boys who have been awarded a Band 6 in the SEAG Entrance Assessment
  7. 7

    All other boys who applied.

    The policy's own words
    7. All other boys who have applied to be admitted to Abbey CBGS Newry.
  8. 8

    Sub (i): parent/guardian on permanent staff.

    The policy's own words
    (i) Boys who, at the date of their application, have a parent/guardian who is a member of the permanent teaching, administrative, or ancillary staff of the Abbey.
  9. 9

    Sub (ii): brother attending or selected for the coming year.

    The policy's own words
    (ii) Boys who, at the date of their application, have another boy of the family
  10. 10

    Sub (iii): brother previously attended.

    The policy's own words
    (iii) Boys who have had another boy of the family (as defined by DE in Transfer 2010 Guidance) previously attend the school.
  11. 11

    Sub (iv): eldest boy / first boy to transfer to secondary education.

    The policy's own words
    (iv) Boys who are the first boy of the family (as defined by DE in Transfer 2010 Guidance) to transfer to secondary education
  12. 12

    Sub (v): first boy of the family to apply to an academically selective school.

    The policy's own words
    (v) Boys who are the first boy of the family (as defined by DE in Transfer 2010 Guidance) to apply for a place in a school that admits pupils using academic criteria as its primary means of selection.
  13. 13

    Sub (vi): entitled to free school meals.

    The policy's own words
    (vi) Boys who, at the date of their application, are entitled to Free School Meals Provision
  14. 14

    Sub (vii): computer tie-break ranking seeded by applicant's name; lowest numbers admitted.

    The policy's own words
    (vii) Boys whose names generate the lowest ranking number in the tie break criteria until all places up to the admissions number have been filled.

Source: Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School, checked

More detail from our guide

An important caution. Everything below comes from the Abbey's Admissions criteria for entry September 2025Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School: Document title (2025)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School.The source says: Admissions criteria for entry September 2025View the official source, two years ago. Its rules for the September 2026 intake were not online when we looked, and nothing for September 2027 is out yet. Governors can and do revise criteria. Use this section to understand the Abbey's approach, then read the new document when it arrives.

Band order

The 2025 approach: Boys admitted in SEAG Band order (Bands 1-6, including accepted SC/SP cases), then criterion 7 'All other boys who have applied'; sub-criteria resolve oversubscription within a criterion.Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School: Academic selection (2025)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School.The source says: For the academic year, 2025-26, the Board of Governors will continue to use academic criteria in the first instance to select pupils.View the official source

In other words, every Band 1 boy is placed first. If there are more Band 1 boys than places, the sub-criteria pick among them. If places remain, Band 2 is next, and so on.

Sub-criteria within a band

For 2025 entry the order was: (1) Parent/guardian on permanent staff (i). (2) Brother attending or selected for coming year (ii). (3) Brother previously attended (iii). (4) Eldest boy / first boy to transfer to secondary (iv). (5) First boy to apply to an academically selective school (v). (6) Entitled to free school meals (vi). (7) Name-seeded computer ranking number, lowest first (vii).Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School: Tie breakers (2025)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School.The source says: If there are more boys who satisfy any one of the criteria 1 to 7 when they are applied in the order of priority set down above than places remaining, then boys will be selected according to the following sub-criteria applied in the order set down belowView the official source

A few things stand out:

  • Staff come first. A boy whose parent or guardian works at the school, in a permanent teaching, office or support post, is placed ahead of brothers.
  • Brothers. Another boy of the family (DE Transfer 2010 Guidance) attending or selected for the coming year (ii); or who previously attended (iii).Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School: Sibling criterion (2025)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School.The source says: (ii) Boys who, at the date of their application, have another boy of the family (as defined by DE in Transfer 2010 Guidance) attending the school or having been selected for admission to the school in the coming school year. (iii) Boys who have had another boy of the family (as defined by DE in Transfer 2010 Guidance) previously attend the school.View the official source
  • Eldest and first boys. (iv) first boy of the family to transfer to secondary education, i.e. eldest boy (verification letter required); (v) first boy of the family to apply to an academically selective school.Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School: Eldest child criterion (2025)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School.The source says: (iv) Boys who are the first boy of the family (as defined by DE in Transfer 2010 Guidance) to transfer to secondary education, i.e. the eldest boy of the family as defined above.View the official source
  • Free school meals. No places are set aside. Entitlement counts only after the staff, brother and eldest-boy rules.
  • Final tie-break. Computer program generates a ranking number for each applicant using the name on the Transfer Application as the seed for a random number generator; lowest numbers admitted.Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School: Final tie break (2025)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School.The source says: The process is carried out by means of a computer program which, for each applicant, generates a ranking number using the details from the Transfer Application as the seed for a random number generator. ... Applicants with the lowest ranking numbers will be given places up to the number of places available.View the official source

Residence also counts: a boy who lives in Northern Ireland comes before one who does not.

Other situations

Special circumstances. SC Form with independent verifiable evidence plus educational evidence (all KS2 standardised English/Literacy and Maths/Numeracy results, verified by the primary principal) uploaded with the online Transfer Form; claims relating to Access Arrangements still considered.Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School: Special circumstances (2025)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School.The source says: Any parent / guardian claiming Special Circumstances must complete the documentation in the Claiming Special Circumstances Pack available from the Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School or from its website. This documentation, the SC Form, together with the independent verifiable documentary evidence which corroborates the Special Circumstances claim, must be uploaded with the online Transfer Form application.View the official source

No SEAG result. Criterion 7 covers all other boys who applied. Special Provisions (SP Form) for boys transferring from outside NI, with more than half of primary education outside NI, or who could not sit / only sat one paper because of serious medical or other problems; the Board may require an assessment and decides if they fall within the ability range of boys admitted.Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School: Applicants without result (2025)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School.The source says: The Board of Governors will decide whether these boys should be admitted on the basis that they fall within the ability range of other boys being admitted in that year and/or meet one or more of the Admission Criteria as listed below. The Board of Governors may require an assessment of the pupil’s abilities to be carried out by a suitably qualified person or body approved by the school.View the official source

How the 2025 application worked. Online Transfer Form/Application (EA), stating the Band and uploading the SEAG statement of results; opens 28 January 2025 12 noon, punctual closing 20 February 2025 12 noonAbbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School: Application route (2025)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School.The source says: The application procedure opens on Tuesday 28 January 2025 at 12 noon (GMT) and an application submitted by the closing date of 20 February 2025 at 12 noon (GMT) will be marked as a punctual application.View the official source. On late forms: Late = after 12 noon 20 February 2025 up to 4pm 25 February 2025; the school says it will treat all applications equally.Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School: Late applicationsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School.The source says: An application received after 12 noon (GMT) on 20 February 2025 and up to 4pm on 25 February 2025 will be marked as a late application. Abbey CBGS will treat all applications equally.View the official source

Waiting list. Applicants beyond 125 ranked from 126 onward by the criteria; admitted in that order as places arise; list ceases after 1 September.Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School: Waiting listChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School.The source says: This forms the waiting list and students will be admitted into Year 8 in this order if and when a place becomes ... available. This waiting list will cease to operate after the 1 September of each academic year.View the official source

The test

SEAG Entrance Assessment (the NI transfer test)
Test
SEAG Entrance Assessment (the NI transfer test)
Test date, 2027 entry
Saturday 14 November 2026

Abbey hopefuls take the SEAG Entrance Assessment over two November Saturdays: Saturday 14 November 2026SEAG (Northern Ireland): Paper1Checked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: Saturday, 14th November 2026View the official source, then Saturday 21 November 2026SEAG (Northern Ireland): Paper2Checked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: Saturday, 21st November 2026View the official source. SEAG offers English and Irish versionsSEAG (Northern Ireland): Irish versionChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: Both English and Gaeilge versions of the Assessment will be available.View the official source, which matters for boys from Irish-medium primary schools. The Abbey itself has hosted the Irish-language sitting as one of SEAG's centres.

The Abbey looks at the band on the Statement of Outcomes. The exact score plays no part. The September 2025 criteria say so directly: SEAG Band 1 to Band 6 in order, then all other applicants; within an oversubscribed criterion, sub-criteria (i)-(vii). TSAS is not used.Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School: Selection metric (2025)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School.The source says: The Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School will use the Band achieved by boys in the Entrance Assessment ... provided by SEAG and administered by the Assessment Centres on 16 November 2024 and 23 November 2024 to be the primary evidenceView the official source As a reminder of what the bands mean: Band 1 = top 40%; Bands 2–5 = 10% each; Band 6 = below the 20th percentileSEAG (Northern Ireland): BandsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: Outcomes are also given as one of six Bands. [...] Band 1 60% or higher Band 2 50-59% Band 3 40-49% Band 4 30-39% Band 5 20-29% Band 6 less than 20% [...] Pupils in Band 1 will be in the top 40% of those who sat the Assessment. Bands 2-5 will each contain 10% of the total cohort.View the official source.

There was no minimum band in 2025: No minimum band; criteria run Band 1 to Band 6 then 'All other boys who have applied'. Cut-off is the 125th place.Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School: Entrance threshold (2025)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School.The source says: The cut-off for admission will therefore be the 125 place. ... 7. All other boys who have applied to be admitted to Abbey CBGS Newry.View the official source

Boys get their outcomes on Saturday 23 January 2027SEAG (Northern Ireland): OutcomesChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: It is planned that SEAG results will be released on Saturday 23rd January 2027.View the official source. For more, see our SEAG transfer test guide and results explained.

How the Northern Ireland test works

Open days

Next: Open Day, Wed 2 Dec 2026

  1. Done: Open Afternoon (passed)

    3pm – 5:30pm

  2. Coming up: Open Day

  3. Coming up: P7 Taster

Source: Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School, checked

If you are refused a place

Reviews, appeals and the waiting list

General information, not legal advice.

This is general information, not legal advice.

Should the Abbey be full, the EA looks at your son's next preference. Where none of your choices has room: Parents choose from schools that still have places and are told how to appeal.Northern Ireland: No place routeChecked 9 Oct 2026 against nidirect (NI Government).The source says: If your child doesn’t get a place in any of their school preferences, you will be asked to choose from other schools that still have places. You will also be advised of how to appeal a decision about a school place.View the official source

Appeals use the AT1 form, via the EA websiteNorthern Ireland: FormChecked 9 Oct 2026 against nidirect (NI Government).The source says: To appeal a school's decision that has refused your child a place, go to the EA website where you can send the appeal form (AT1 Form).View the official source. An independent tribunal hears them, and its remit is tight. Success needs both of these: the school didn't apply, or didn't correctly apply, its admissions criteria; the school would have offered the child a place if it had applied its criteria correctlyNorthern Ireland: Uphold testsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against nidirect (NI Government).The source says: The tribunal can only uphold an appeal if: ... they find the school didn't apply or didn't apply correctly its admissions criteria ... and they find the school would have offered the child a place if it had applied its admissions criteria correctlyView the official source. Whether the Abbey's criteria are wise is not something the tribunal decides.

Appeal deadline, September 2027 entry: 4pm, Thursday 20 May 2027Northern Ireland transfer: Appeal deadlineChecked 17 Oct 2026 against nidirect (NI Government).The source says: The deadline for receipt of appeal forms against Year 8 decisions by post-primary schools is Thursday 20 May 2027, no later than 4.00 pm.View the official source. The equivalent date last time: 4pm on Thursday 21 May 2026Northern Ireland 2026 entry: Appeal deadlineChecked 9 Oct 2026 against nidirect (NI Government).The source says: The deadline for receipt of appeal forms against Year 8 decisions by post-primary schools is Thursday 21 May 2026, no later than 4.00 pm.View the official source.

Official documents and sources

5 sources, each kept as an archived copy

ExamKind is independent. We are not connected with Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School, its council or any test provider, and nobody pays to appear on this page. How we check facts · Report an error on this page