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Ballymena Academy: Year 8 entry

89 Galgorm Road, Ballymena, BT42 1AJ

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 score stated; rank order up to the admissions number.

    Checked, source: Ballymena Academy, checked

  • Year 8 places

    176

    2026 entry, Published Admission Number ()

    Checked, source: Ballymena Academy, 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. Ballymena Academy'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Most Northern Ireland schools do not publish how far places reached.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

Ballymena Academy in brief

tap a value for its source

Year 8 places
176Year 8 placesChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Ballymena Academy.The source says: Admissions Number: Enrolment Number: 11-18 years 176 1200View the official source2026 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

Last year the window ran like this: Transfer Application through the Education Authority Transfer Procedure; punctual 27 January 2026 12 noon to 19 February 2026 12 noon; late to 4pm 24 February 2026.Ballymena Academy: Application route (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Ballymena Academy.The source says: The application procedure opens on 27 January 2026 at 12 noon (GMT) and an application submitted by the closing date of 19 February 2026 at 12 noon (GMT) will be treated as a punctual application. An application received after 12 noon (GMT) on 19 February 2026 and up to 4pm on 24 February 2026 will be treated as a late application.View the official source On-time forms were looked at before late ones.

How places are given

10 admission rules, in order, for 2026 entry

If more children qualify than there are places, Ballymena Academy gives places using these rules (its ), in this order (the 2026 rules; the rules for 2027 entry are not published yet).

  1. 1

    1.1 Eligibility: completed Transfer Application through the EA Transfer Procedure

    The policy's own words
    1.1 For a child to be considered eligible for admission to Year 8 in Ballymena Academy (“the School”) in September 2026
  2. 2

    1.2 Children resident in Northern Ireland at the time of proposed admission before non-residents

    The policy's own words
    1.2 In determining those children to be admitted, the Board of Governors will consider children who are resident in Northern Ireland
  3. 3

    1.3 Priority on equal terms to children who took Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group () (incl. SC claims) and children with a valid Special Provisions claim

    The policy's own words
    1.3 Priority shall be given, on equal terms, to two categories of application:
  4. 4

    Section 2: those applications placed in rank order of Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS), higher first

    The policy's own words
    applications shall be placed in rank order; higher scores will be accepted before lower scores.
  5. 5

    2.3.1 Equal TSAS: order of preference (first preferences first)

    The policy's own words
    2.3.1 in order of preference with first preference applications being selected before second preference applications and so on.
  6. 6

    2.3.2 Sibling(s) currently enrolled or already approved (more siblings first)

    The policy's own words
    2.3.2 who has sibling(s)* currently enrolled in the School
  7. 7

    2.3.3 Eldest or only child of the family

    The policy's own words
    who is the eldest** or only child of the family to be eligible to apply for admission to the school
  8. 8

    2.3.4 Attends a primary school within the former Ballymena Borough Council area

    The policy's own words
    2.3.4 who, at the time of application, attends a Primary School which is within the former Ballymena Borough Council area.
  9. 9

    Random selection: Excel-generated random number, higher numbers first

    The policy's own words
    each application to be considered at this stage is allocated a random number electronically generated within ‘Microsoft Excel’;
  10. 10

    Applications without SEAG TSAS / valid SP claim: only for remaining places, using 2.3.1-2.3.4 and 2.4

    The policy's own words
    Should any place(s) remain after all applications which include a Total Standardised Age Score or are made on the basis of a valid claim for Special Provisions have been accepted

Source: Ballymena Academy, checked

More detail from our guide

The Academy's latest criteria are titled "Admissions Criteria for entry to YEAR 8 2026 - 2027Ballymena Academy: Document title (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Ballymena Academy.The source says: Admissions Criteria for entry to YEAR 8 2026 - 2027View the official source". They were for September 2026 entry. The version for September 2027 entry is Ballymena Academy: Criteria published (2027)Not yet published by Ballymena Academy; last checked 9 Oct 2026.The source says: Admissions Criteria for Year 8 Pupils School Year 2026/27View the official source. Until it appears, read the summary below as a record of how the Academy worked last time, not as a promise about this year.

Who is considered first

Some children come before everyone else: those living in Northern Ireland at the time of admission, and those with a SEAG score. Applications with a SEAG TSAS (or valid Special Provisions claim) have priority and are placed in rank order of TSAS; other applications only if places remain.Ballymena Academy: Academic selection (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Ballymena Academy.The source says: Ballymena Academy will use the Entrance Assessment provided by SEAG. If there are more applications than places available, the Total Standardised Age Score awarded following the Entrance Assessment will be used as part of the admission procedure. Precedence will be given to those applications which include a Total Standardised Age Score in respect of the Entrance Assessment provided by SEAG.View the official source

Ranking by score

Places are then filled from the highest TSAS down, until the admissions number is reached. There is no second-stage pool of the kind some schools use. For most applicants, the score alone decides.

When scores are equal

Tie-breaks matter only where several children share the same TSAS at the edge of the places. The 2026 order was: (1) 2.3.1 Order of preference: first-preference applications before second etc. (2) 2.3.2 Sibling(s) enrolled or already approved; more siblings ranked higher. (3) 2.3.3 Eldest or only child of the family. (4) 2.3.4 Attends a primary school in the former Ballymena Borough Council area. (5) Excel random number; higher numbers have precedence.Ballymena Academy: Tie breakers (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Ballymena Academy.The source says: Where the Total Standardised Age Score obtained by two or more children is identical, and insufficient places remain to admit both or all of them, the following sub-criteria shall be applied in the stated order.View the official source

What stands out:

  • Your order of preference counts. Unlike several other grammar schools, the Academy put first-preference applications ahead of others on an equal score. If it is your first choice, list it first (assuming the 2027 criteria keep this rule).
  • More siblings rank higher. Tie-break 2.3.2: sibling(s) currently enrolled or already approved for acceptance in the current process; greater number of siblings preferred; sibling = another child of the family (Art. 2(2) Domestic Proceedings (NI) Order 1980) incl. half-siblings, adopted, fostered.Ballymena Academy: Sibling criterion (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Ballymena Academy.The source says: 2.3.2 who has sibling(s)* currently enrolled in the School, or has sibling(s) already approved for acceptance by the School in the current admissions process. ... (N.B. Preference shall be given on the basis of the greatest or greater number of siblings). ... Where applicable “sibling” is defined as another child of the family (Article 2(2) of the Domestic Proceedings (NI) Order 1980) to include, for example, half-brothers and sisters, together with children who are adopted or fostered.View the official source
  • The local primary rule names no schools. Tie-break 2.3.4: attends a primary school within the former Ballymena Borough Council area (no schools named).Ballymena Academy: Feeder criterion (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Ballymena Academy.The source says: 2.3.4 who, at the time of application, attends a Primary School which is within the former Ballymena Borough Council area.View the official source

The eldest-child step reads: Tie-break 2.3.3: eldest or only child of the family eligible to apply; twins/multiples who are eldest treated as joint eldest.Ballymena Academy: Eldest child criterion (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Ballymena Academy.The source says: who is the eldest** or only child of the family to be eligible to apply for admission to the school ... Twins and other multiples who are eldest in the family are treated as joint eldest children.View the official source And if a tie still remains: Each remaining application allocated a random number generated in Microsoft Excel; ranked with higher numbers having precedence; overseen by the Admissions Panel.Ballymena Academy: Final tie break (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Ballymena Academy.The source says: each application to be considered at this stage is allocated a random number electronically generated within ‘Microsoft Excel’; the applications are then ranked in order of the random number, with higher numbers having precedence.View the official source

Special circumstances and Special Provisions

Claims go to the school with your transfer application. In 2026: Form SC (and Form SP for Special Provisions), obtainable from the school, uploaded with documentary evidence with the Transfer Application; Admissions Panel awards a score. Single-paper ('e') outcomes considered only under Special Provisions.Ballymena Academy: Special circumstances (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Ballymena Academy.The source says: Parents/Guardians wishing to claim Special Circumstances must complete Form SC, available from Ballymena Academy. The completed Form SC, together with appropriate documentary evidence corroborating the claim for Special Circumstances, must be uploaded with the Transfer Application.View the official source

Children without a SEAG score and without a valid Special Provisions claim are looked at last. Considered only for places remaining after all TSAS / valid Special Provisions applications; if oversubscribed, sub-criteria 2.3.1-2.3.4 and 2.4 applied.Ballymena Academy: Applicants without result (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Ballymena Academy.The source says: Should any place(s) remain after all applications which include a Total Standardised Age Score or are made on the basis of a valid claim for Special Provisions have been accepted, then other applications shall be considered for the remaining place(s). ... Where the number of such applications exceeds the number of places available, sub-criteria 2.3.1, 2.3.2, 2.3.3, 2.3.4 and 2.4 shall be applied in the stated order until all places have been allocated up to the School’s Admissions Number.View the official source

After the offers

Vacancies between 11 May 2026 and 30 June 2026 filled by applying the published criteria to all applications; after 1 July 2026 parents must write to the Principal to be considered.Ballymena Academy: Waiting listChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Ballymena Academy.The source says: Should a vacancy arise after the Transfer Procedure concludes, between 11th May, 2026 and 30th June, 2026, further admission to Year 8 shall be considered if fewer pupils are enrolled in Year 8 than the Admissions Number allows. ... Parents/Guardians who wish to have their child considered for admission in the event of a place becoming available after 1st July, 2026 should write to the Principal stating this.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

Entry in September 2027 depends on the SEAG Entrance AssessmentBallymena Academy: Test family by entry year (2027)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: All 63 post-primary schools in N. Ireland which include academic selection within their Year 8 admissions criteria accept the SEAG Entrance Assessment Outcomes.View the official source, which children can sit at the Academy or at any other SEAG centre. Paper 1 is on 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; the Statement of Outcomes follows 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.

What the Academy uses from that statement is the Total Standardised Age Score. Applications placed in rank order of SEAG TSAS (or score allocated via SC/SP); higher scores accepted first.Ballymena Academy: Selection metric (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Ballymena Academy.The source says: On the basis of the Total Standardised Age Score achieved in the SEAG Entrance Assessment or a Score allocated as a result of a claim for Special Circumstances and/or Special Provisions, applications shall be placed in rank order; higher scores will be accepted before lower scores.View the official source The band is not part of its ranking. No minimum score stated; rank order up to the admissions number.Ballymena Academy: Entrance threshold (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Ballymena Academy.The source says: applications shall be placed in rank order; higher scores will be accepted before lower scores.View the official source

If the SEAG system is new to your family, our SEAG transfer test guide and results explained pages set out the basics.

How the Northern Ireland test works

Open days

Next: Open Nights, Wed 6 Jan 2027

  1. Done: School open for visits (open evening) (passed)

    7.00 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.

  2. Done: School open for visits (open evening) (passed)

    7.00 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.

  3. Coming up: Open Nights

  4. Coming up: Open Nights

Source: Ballymena Academy, 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.

A refusal from Ballymena Academy hands your application to the next school you listed. It also opens the door to an appeal, heard by a tribunal the EA sets up but which stands apart from the school. Its rulings are binding.

That tribunal does not weigh up whether a score-order system is fair. It checks one thing: whether the Academy applied its own criteria correctly, using only what the governors knew when places were offered. In practice that means the TSAS ranking, your preference order and any sibling or eldest-child claim.

Appeals go in on 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. For 2026 entry the closing time was 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; the 2027 date is 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.

Official documents and sources

4 sources, each kept as an archived copy

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