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Banbridge Academy: Year 8 entry

Lurgan Road, Banbridge, BT32 4AQ

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 in the criteria; the school's P6 presentation for 2027 entry says "No cut off score" and "Rank order".

    Checked, source: Banbridge Academy, checked

  • Year 8 places

    192

    2026 entry, Published Admission Number ()

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Most Northern Ireland schools do not publish how far places reached.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

Banbridge Academy in brief

tap a value for its source

Year 8 places
192Year 8 placesChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Banbridge Academy.The source says: Places will be allocated in strict rank order of the scores, starting with the highest score and working in descending rank order, up to the Admissions Number (192).View the official source2026 entry
The (PAN): how many children the school plans to admit.
Pupils
co-educationalPupilsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Banbridge Academy.The source says: Banbridge Academy is a co-educational non-denominational controlled grammar school.View the official source
Who the school admits.
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

What the form needed last time: Apply on the Transfer Application with the SEAG score (TSAS), Unique Pupil Number and uploaded Statement of Outcome. 2026 entry: opened 12 noon 27 January 2026; punctual by 12 noon 19 February 2026; late up to 4.00pm 24 February 2026.Banbridge Academy: Application route (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Banbridge Academy.The source says: Please ensure that you enter the Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) awarded by the Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG), together with the SEAG Unique Pupil Number, on the Transfer Application ... 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 4.00pm on 24 February 2026 will be treated as a late applicationView the official source Applications after 12 noon 19 February 2026 and up to 4.00pm 24 February 2026 are late and considered after punctual applications.Banbridge Academy: Late applicationsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Banbridge Academy.The source says: During the admissions procedure when applying the criteria punctual applications will be considered before late applications are considered. ... An application received after 12 noon (GMT) on 19 February 2026 and up to 4.00pm on 24 February 2026 will be treated as a late application (see Waiting Lists Policy below).View the official source

How places are given

5 admission rules, in order, for 2026 entry

If more children qualify than there are places, Banbridge 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 NI residents before non-residents

    The policy's own words
    1.1 Children resident in Northern Ireland at the time of their proposed admission will be selected for admission to the School before any child not so resident.
  2. 2

    1.2 Strict rank order of Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group () Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) up to 192

    The policy's own words
    1.2 The Education Committee will consider children who have taken the Entrance Assessment administered by the Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG).
  3. 3

    1.3 i Sibling currently enrolled OR eldest child of the family

    The policy's own words
    i. Children who, at the date of their application EITHER have a child of the family (sibling) currently enrolled at the school
  4. 4

    1.3 ii Registered at a listed primary school (admitted from in 3 of past 5 years)

    The policy's own words
    ii. Children who are registered at a Primary School from which pupils have been admitted to Banbridge Academy in three out of the past five years
  5. 5

    1.3 iii Computer-based random ranking seeded by applicant name

    The policy's own words
    iii. Children will be ranked for acceptance on the basis of a computer-based process which will make use of the names as entered on the Transfer Application.

Source: Banbridge Academy, checked

More detail from our guide

The rules below are from the Academy's Admissions criteria for entry September 2026Banbridge Academy: Document title (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Banbridge Academy.The source says: 1. ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR ENTRY OF PUPILS TO YEAR 8 IN SEPTEMBER 2026View the official source. That is last year's document. The September 2027 criteria are Banbridge Academy: Criteria published (2027)Not yet published by Banbridge Academy; last checked 9 Oct 2026.The source says: The Admissions Criteria for Year 8 entry in September 2026 can be viewed via the following link: Banbridge Academy Criteria Transfer 2026View the official source, and details can change, so please treat this as background.

Step one: residence

Children resident in Northern Ireland selected before non-residentsBanbridge Academy: Other criteria (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Banbridge Academy.The source says: 1.1 Children resident in Northern Ireland at the time of their proposed admission will be selected for admission to the School before any child not so resident.View the official source.

Step two: score

Strict rank order of SEAG Total Standardised Age Score, highest first, up to the Admissions Number; sub-criteria 1.3 (sibling/eldest, named primary schools, random) then applied.Banbridge Academy: Selection metric (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Banbridge Academy.The source says: Places will be allocated in strict rank order of the scores, starting with the highest score and working in descending rank order, up to the Admissions Number (192).View the official source Your place in the queue is your child's TSAS against everyone else's.

If children tie on the last score

Only then do the sub-criteria come in, in this order:

  • A brother or sister at the school, or the eldest child. These are combined in the same sub-criterion. A sibling means A child of the family (sibling) currently enrolled at the school at the date of application (DE "child of the family" definition); same sub-criterion as eldest child.Banbridge Academy: Sibling criterion (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Banbridge Academy.The source says: i. Children who, at the date of their application EITHER have a child of the family (sibling) currently enrolled at the school [state name(s) and Registration Group(s) on the Transfer Application] OR are the ... eldest child of the family to be eligible to transfer to a mainstream Post-Primary School in Northern Ireland (details to be supplied on the Transfer Application).View the official source For the eldest child: Eldest child of the family eligible to transfer to a mainstream post-primary school in NI (same sub-criterion as sibling); twins/multiples joint eldest; proof by letter from an independent verifier.Banbridge Academy: Eldest child criterion (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Banbridge Academy.The source says: Twins and other multiple birth applicants will be regarded as joint eldest.View the official source
  • A listed primary school. The list covers schools the Academy has taken pupils from regularly; it is shown in full in the table below.
  • Random ranking. Computer programme generates a ranking number using the name on the Transfer Application as the seed for a random number generator; lowest ranking numbers given places.Banbridge Academy: Final tie break (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Banbridge Academy.The source says: The process is carried out by means of a computer programme 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
Listed primary schools (September 2026 criteria)
Rule and namesSub-criterion 1.3 ii: children registered at a primary school from which pupils have been admitted in three of the past five years (36 schools listed). Named schools: Abercorn, Ballydown, Bocombra, Bridge Integrated, Bronte, Donacloney, Downshire, Dromara, Dromore Central, Drumadonnell, Dunmurry, Edenderry (Banbridge), Fair Hill (Dromara), Friends’ Prep School Lisburn, Iveagh, King’s Park (Lurgan), Maralin Village, Meadow Bridge, Hillsborough, Milltown, Moira, Mullaglass, Mullavilly, Portadown Integrated, Poyntzpass, Riverdale, Rowandale Integrated, St Brendan's, Craigavon, St Colman’s & All Saints Nursery (Annaclone), St Colman’s (Bann), St Francis (Aghaderg), St Mary’s (Banbridge), St Mary’s (Dechomet), St Patrick’s (Magheralin), Tandragee, Waringstown, Windsor HillBanbridge Academy: Feeder criterion (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Banbridge Academy.The source says: ii. Children who are registered at a Primary School from which pupils have been admitted to Banbridge Academy in three out of the past five years, a list is available below ***.View the official source

Being at a listed primary does not move a child up the score order. It only helps in a tie at the very last place.

Children with special circumstances or no score

SC Form (from the School) and documentary evidence uploaded with the Transfer Application; Education Committee decides whether the claim is upheld and assigns an equivalent TSAS using P5-P7 standardised tests and comparative class data. Separate Special Provisions route (SP Form).Banbridge Academy: Special circumstances (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Banbridge Academy.The source says: Parents/Guardians who wish to apply to the School under Special Circumstances should complete SC Form, obtainable from the School, stating the precise reason why they believe the child should be considered for Special Circumstances. The SC Form and appropriate documentary evidence should be uploaded with the Transfer Application.View the official source

Without a SEAG score: Considered only if places remain after all children with a TSAS (or assigned score); if they satisfy criterion 1.1 (NI residence) they are allocated remaining places using sub-criteria 1.3. Children who sat only one paper may be considered under Special Provisions.Banbridge Academy: Applicants without result (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Banbridge Academy.The source says: If there are still places available after consideration of all the children who have taken the SEAG Entrance Assessment and been awarded a Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) by SEAG (or a score assigned by the Education Committee in accordance with the arrangements for Special Circumstances and Special Provisions as set out below), the School will consider for admission any children who have not taken the SEAG Entrance Assessment.View the official source

Preferences and the waiting list

Preference order on the transfer form is not used as a criterion.Banbridge Academy: Transfer application adviceChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Banbridge Academy.The source says: The Education Committee will not use, as a criterion, the position of preference given to the school by the applicant on the Transfer FormView the official source Later vacancies: Refused, new, late and updated Year 8 applications go on the Year 8 Waiting List until 30 June 2027 (end of Year 8); vacancies filled using the Year 8 admissions criteria.Banbridge Academy: Waiting listChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Banbridge Academy.The source says: This Waiting List will be in place until 30 June 2027, that is, the end of Year 8.View the official source

In each of the years in the key facts table, more children applied than the admissions number. Admissions a little above that number include statemented pupils and places given on appeal or by direction.

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

Banbridge Academy is a SEAG school and a test centre. For a place here, the Total Standardised Age Score is the number that matters. The band on the Statement of Outcomes plays no separate part. The highest score is offered first, then the next, until the places run out.

The school's own P6 talk for 2027 entry made the same point: there is no cut-off score, only a rank order. In practice, the lowest score admitted depends on how everyone else scored that year. Our SEAG transfer test guide and results explained explain the scale.

How the Northern Ireland test works

Open days

Next: Open Night, Mon 25 Jan 2027

  1. Done: Open Night (passed)

    7.00 - 9.30pm (Principal speaks at 7.00pm and 8.00pm)

  2. Coming up: Open Night

Source: Banbridge 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.

Places at Banbridge Academy follow a score order, so an appeal is about whether that order and the tie-break rules were applied properly. You start 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. Keep its limits in mind: Only the evidence the board of governors had when it offered places; the tribunal does not challenge the criteria.Northern Ireland: Evidence limitChecked 9 Oct 2026 against nidirect (NI Government).The source says: The tribunal considers the evidence available to the school's board of governors when they offered school places to children. The tribunal cannot take into account any additional information that wasn't available to the board of governors when they offered places. The tribunal doesn't challenge a school's admissions criteria.View the official source

Very occasionally a family argues that their child must attend this one school for reasons personal to the child. That goes to the Exceptional Circumstances Body instead, which asks: are the circumstances claimed exceptional; are they personal to the child; do they require admission to the named school, and only that schoolNorthern Ireland: Ecb testsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against nidirect (NI Government).The source says: are the circumstances that are claimed exceptional ... are the circumstances that are claimed personal to the child ... do the circumstances that are claimed require the child’s admission to the named school, and only that schoolView the official source.

Appeal deadline for 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. Last year: 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

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