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Grosvenor Grammar School: Year 8 entry

Marina Park, Belfast BT5 6BA

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; strict rank order up to 175.

    Checked, source: Grosvenor Grammar School, checked

  • Year 8 places

    175

    2026 entry, Published Admission Number ()

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Most Northern Ireland schools do not publish how far places reached.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

Grosvenor Grammar School in brief

tap a value for its source

Year 8 places
175Year 8 placesChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Grosvenor Grammar School.The source says: www.grosvenorgrammarschool.org.uk Admission No: 175View the official source2026 entry
The (PAN): how many children the school plans to admit.
Pupils
co-educationalPupilsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Grosvenor Grammar School.The source says: | Belfast BT5 6BA | Co-educational |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

For reference, the 2026 window was: EA online Transfer Application; punctual 27 January 2026 12 noon to 19 February 2026 12 noon.Grosvenor Grammar School: Application route (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Grosvenor Grammar School.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.View the official source The EA says the 2027 application starts around February 2027Northern Ireland 2027 entry: Transfer application startsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: This happens as part of the Post Primary Transfer Application Process which begins around February 2027 and is run by the Education Authority, not SEAG.View the official source.

How places are given

5 admission rules, in order, for 2026 entry

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

  1. 1

    2.1: children resident in Northern Ireland at the time of proposed admission before those who are not

    The policy's own words
    2.1 The Board of Governors will consider children who are resident in Northern Ireland at the time of their proposed
  2. 2

    2.2: children who took the Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group () assessment, in strict rank order of Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) up to 175

    The policy's own words
    2.2 The Board of Governors will then consider children who have taken the SEAG Entrance Assessment administered by the Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG).
  3. 3

    2.3(i): equal scores for last place(s) - child of the family currently enrolled, or eldest child eligible to transfer

    The policy's own words
    (i) children who either have a child of the family currently enrolled in the School [state name(s) and Registration Group(s)] or are the eldest child of the family to be eligible to transfer to a mainstream post-
  4. 4

    2.3(ii): computer-based random ranking seeded by applicant's name

    The policy's own words
    (ii) applicants will be ranked for acceptance on the basis of a computer-based process which will make use of the names of applicants as shown on their Transfer Applications.
  5. 5

    3: if places remain, children who did not take SEAG, allocated using 2.3

    The policy's own words
    3. If there are still places available after consideration of all the children who have taken the SEAG Entrance Assessment

Source: Grosvenor Grammar School, checked

More detail from our guide

The detail below comes from Grosvenor's Admissions criteria for entry September 2026Grosvenor Grammar School: Document title (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Grosvenor Grammar School.The source says: Admissions criteria for entry September 2026View the official source, so it describes last year's process, not this year's. The school has not yet published its criteria for September 2027 entry. Rules can change between years.

Step by step, for 2026 entry: (1) 2.1: children resident in Northern Ireland at the time of proposed admission before those who are not. (2) 2.2: children who took the SEAG assessment, in strict rank order of TSAS up to 175. (3) 2.3(i): equal scores for last place(s) - child of the family currently enrolled, or eldest child eligible to transfer. (4) 2.3(ii): computer-based random ranking seeded by applicant's name. (5) 3: if places remain, children who did not take SEAG, allocated using 2.3.Grosvenor Grammar School: Oversubscription criteria (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Grosvenor Grammar School.The source says: 2 If the School is over-subscribed, the following criteria for entry will apply, in the order stated:View the official source

What this means in practice. Score decides almost everything at Grosvenor. A brother or sister at the school, or being the eldest child, does not move a child up the list. These only come into play if several children share the exact score at the cut-off point.

The tie-break for the last place. Siblings and eldest children sit together in one combined group:

  • Sibling: Tie-break only: a child of the family currently enrolled in the School; 'child of the family' as in Article 2(2) of the Children (NI) Order 1995, plus foster children, as at the date of application.Grosvenor Grammar School: Sibling criterion (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Grosvenor Grammar School.The source says: 1.3 The School will consider ‘child of the family’ as defined in Article 2(2) of the Children (NI) Order 1995, save that foster children will also be included. The child must be a child of the family as at the date of application. [...] (i) children who either have a child of the family currently enrolled in the School [state name(s) and Registration Group(s)] or are the eldest child of the family to be eligible to transfer to a mainstream post-View the official source
  • Eldest child: Tie-break (i), combined with sibling: eldest child of the family to be eligible to transfer to a mainstream post-primary school in NI; twins/multiples joint eldest; includes cases where an elder child with a SEN statement attended a special post-primary school/unit; proof letter from a non-family verifier.Grosvenor Grammar School: Eldest child criterion (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Grosvenor Grammar School.The source says: 1.4 In relation to ‘eldest child of the family’, twins (or other multiples) will be treated as joint eldest. [...] or are the eldest child of the family to be eligible to transfer to a mainstream post-View the official source
  • If still tied: Computer program generates a ranking number from the applicant's name as seed for a random number generator; lowest numbers given places.Grosvenor Grammar School: Final tie break (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Grosvenor 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.View the official source

Residence and preferences. Children resident in Northern Ireland at the time of proposed admission considered first (2.1); Position of preference not used (1.1)Grosvenor Grammar School: Other criteria (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Grosvenor Grammar School.The source says: 2.1 The Board of Governors will consider children who are resident in Northern Ireland at the time of their proposedView the official source. Putting Grosvenor first or last on the form makes no difference to how the school ranks your child.

Special circumstances. SC Form (and/or SP Form) uploaded with documentary evidence to the Transfer Application; School Transfer Committee assigns an equivalent TSAS if granted. Out-of-NI SP applications by 12 noon 19 February 2026; supporting documents by 4 pm 24 February 2026.Grosvenor Grammar School: Special circumstances (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Grosvenor Grammar School.The source says: Parents/guardians who wish to apply to the School under Special Circumstances must complete the SC Form, obtainable from the School, stating the precise reason why they believe the child should be considered for Special Circumstances and upload it with appropriate evidence, to 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 via SC/SP); allocated using the 2.3 tie-break criteria.Grosvenor Grammar School: Applicants without result (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Grosvenor Grammar School.The source says: 3. If there are still places available after consideration of all the children who have taken the SEAG Entrance Assessment and been awarded a TSAS by SEAG, or assigned a score as a result of Special Circumstances or Special Provisions, the School Transfer Committee will consider for admission any children who have not taken the SEAG Entrance Assessment. These children will be allocated to the remaining places up to the School’s Admission Number using the criteria outlined above in 2.3 in the order set out.View the official source

Late forms. Punctual applications (by 12 noon on 19 February 2026) were considered before late ones (September 2026 entry). The criteria misprint the late-application date as 19 February 2025.Grosvenor Grammar School: Late applicationsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Grosvenor Grammar School.The source says: punctual applications will be considered before late applications are considered. [...] an application submitted by the closing date of 19 February 2026 at 12 noon (GMT) will be treated as a punctual application.View the official source

Waiting list. Refused Year 8 applicants automatically added; Year 8 waiting list in place until 30 June 2027.Grosvenor Grammar School: Waiting listChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Grosvenor Grammar School.The source says: For Year 8, all applications for admission to Year 8 that were initially refused will be automatically added to the Year 8 waiting list. ... The Year 8 waiting list will be in place until the 30 June 2027.View the official source

Pupils with a statement. Statemented pupils and SPiMS (Specialist Provision in Mainstream School) are included in total admissions (2025/26: 177 vs 175).Grosvenor Grammar School: Statement pupilsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Grosvenor Grammar School.The source says: *The Total Admissions for year 2025/2026 includes all Year 8 children admitted to the school including those who have a statement of special educational needs and/or may be attending SPiMS.View the official source

As a controlled grammar school, Grosvenor's board is made up this way: Boards consist only of parents', teachers' and EA representatives (no transferor governors).Northern Ireland: Controlled grammarChecked 9 Oct 2026 against nidirect (NI Government).The source says: Controlled nursery, grammar and special school BoGs consist only of representatives of parents, teachers and the EA. There are no transferor governors.View the official source The board sets the criteria each year.

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

Grosvenor accepts results from the SEAG Entrance Assessment. For September 2027 entry, the papers are 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 and 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. Each one tests English (or Irish) and maths, and each starts with a practice section: each paper starts with a short practice section that does not countSEAG (Northern Ireland): Practice sectionChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: Paper 1 and Paper 2 are Identical in format. Both have a short Practice Test Section to help pupils become familiar with the Paper and with using the Answer Sheet.View the official source.

Grosvenor is also a test centre. Before the test it runs a familiarisation day (SEAG Familiarisation Day: 23 October 2026Grosvenor Grammar School: Familiarisation dayChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Grosvenor Grammar School.The source says: SEAG Familiarisation Day October 23, 2026View the official source), a chance for children to see the building and the routine. Sitting there does not help or hinder an application to Grosvenor or anywhere else.

The number that counts is the Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS). Grosvenor's 2026 rule: Places in strict rank order of SEAG TSAS up to the admissions number (175); children without a TSAS considered only if places remain.Grosvenor Grammar School: Academic selection (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Grosvenor Grammar School.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 (175).View the official source No score is set as a minimum: No minimum score stated; strict rank order up to 175.Grosvenor Grammar School: Entrance threshold (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Grosvenor Grammar School.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 (175).View the official source

Statements of Outcomes are released 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. Our results explained page helps you read one, and the SEAG transfer test guide covers the whole process.

How the Northern Ireland test works

Open days

Next: Open Night 1, Wed 6 Jan 2027

  1. Done: Open Evenings (passed)

    6.30pm-9.00pm (Principal’s talks 7.15pm and 8.00pm)

  2. Done: Open Evenings (passed)

    6.30pm-9.00pm (Principal’s talks 7.15pm and 8.00pm)

  3. Coming up: Open Night 1

    6:30 PM - 9:00 PM

  4. Coming up: Open Nights (second night)

    6.30pm – 9.00pm

Source: Grosvenor 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.

At a school that admits in strict score order, an appeal rarely turns on judgement. The question for the tribunal is factual: The school did not apply, or did not correctly apply, its admissions criteria.Northern Ireland: GroundsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against nidirect (NI Government).The source says: You can appeal if you think the school did not apply their admissions criteria or did not apply them correctly.View the official source An example would be a score recorded wrongly, or a tie-break applied to the wrong child.

How it works: you appeal 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. Who hears it: An independent admissions appeal tribunal set up by the EA; its decisions are binding.Northern Ireland: BodyChecked 9 Oct 2026 against nidirect (NI Government).The source says: If you think that a school has not applied, or not correctly applied its admissions criteria, you have the right of appeal to an independent tribunal. These tribunals are set up by the EA and their decisions are binding.View the official source The tribunal does not rewrite the criteria. For 2027 entry the appeal deadline 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. Last year it 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.

Meanwhile your application is not lost. If a school cannot offer a place, the application passes to the next preference, until a place is granted or all preferences are exhausted.Northern Ireland: Next preferenceChecked 9 Oct 2026 against nidirect (NI Government).The source says: If unsuccessful in gaining a place, your child’s application will be transferred to the next preference school listed on your application. This process continues until either a place is granted by a school or all preferences listed have been exhausted.View the official source

Official documents and sources

6 sources, each kept as an archived copy

ExamKind is independent. We are not connected with Grosvenor 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