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Lagan College: Year 8 entry

44 Manse Road, Lisnabreeny, Belfast, BT8 6SA

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; Stage I is Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) rank order up to 35% of places, and Stage II needs no assessment.

    Checked, source: Lagan College, checked

  • Year 8 places

    200

    2026 entry, Published Admission Number ()

    Checked, source: Lagan College, checked

  • Lowest score admitted

    No dated figureThe school publishes its figures without the year. They are listed under “Can we get in?”.

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. Lagan College'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Most Northern Ireland schools do not publish how far places reached.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.

Other published figures

  • Year not stated: Lowest Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group () Total Standardised Age Score admitted through Stage I Grammar Stream Entry (77 places): applicants were ranked by TSAS and the cut-off was 203, with ties on 203 settled at criterion 1(a) sub-criterion III. Stage II all-ability places (65%) are not allocated by score. The statement is undated; entry year not printed.: 203

Source: Lagan College, checked

About these figures

Lagan publishes a statement on how its places were filled when it had more applicants than places. The statement does not print which entry year it covers. It reads: 350 applications; 200 places + 20 temporary variation = 220. Stage I: 77 places, cut-off TSAS 203 (tie at 203 resolved at 1(a) sub-criterion III). Stage II cut-offs: Roman Catholic (57 places) at 1(b) sub-criterion III; Protestant (57) at 1(b) sub-criterion V; Other/None (29) at 1(b) sub-criterion III.Lagan College: Oversubscription statementChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Lagan College.The source says: 1. Total number of applications considered: 350 2. Number of places available: 200 with a further 20 additional places approved by the Department of Education, through temporary variation due to a high volume of interest in Lagan College. 3. Final total number of places available: 220 ... The cut off was Total Standardised Age Score 203. ... Roman Catholic (57 places available) – The cut off was criteria 1(b) sub criteria III Protestant (57 places available) – The cut off was criteria 1(b) sub criteria V Other/ None (29 places available) – The cut off was criteria 1(b) sub criteria IIIView the official source

The number to notice is 203lagan-college-undated-tsas-1: ValueChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Lagan College.The source says: 77 places were available for Stage 1 Grammar Stream Entry. The college used the Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) to allocate applicants a place in the order of TSAS achieved by applicants in rank order from highest to lowest until all places have been filled up. The cut off was Total Standardised Age Score 203.View the official source. That was the lowest TSAS admitted through the Stage I grammar stream in that statement. It is past data published by the school. It moves every year with the group of children who apply, and it is not a pass mark. A child with a lower score could still get a Stage II place, where scores are not used. The Stage II lines show the point in the criteria list where each religious group's places ran out.

At a glance

Lagan College in brief

tap a value for its source

Year 8 places
200Year 8 placesChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Lagan College.The source says: Admissions No: 200View the official source2026 entry
The (PAN): how many children the school plans to admit.
Pupils
co-educationalPupilsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Lagan College.The source says: Lagan College is an integrated, all-ability, co-educational school. It has a grammar stream entry and an all-ability entry.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

How places are given

12 admission rules, in order, for 2026 entry

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

  1. 1

    Stage I Grammar Stream Entry (up to 35% of the admissions number): SEAG TSAS rank order, highest first (or a TSAS assigned under Special Circumstances/Special Provision)

    The policy's own words
    Criterion 1. SEAG Entrance Assessment outcome -Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS)
  2. 2

    Where applicants tie on the TSAS at the last Stage I place: 1(a) a brother, sister or half-sibling enrolled by 27 January 2026 or formerly enrolled at the College

    The policy's own words
    1 (a) applicants who have a brother(s) or sister(s) or half-brother or half-sister enrolled in the College by 27th
  3. 3

    1(b) only or eldest child in the family to transfer to a mainstream post-primary school (verified by a primary school letter)

    The policy's own words
    (b) applicants who are the only or eldest child in their family, to transfer to a mainstream Post-Primary School.
  4. 4

    1(c) enrolled at a grant maintained integrated or controlled integrated primary school on 27 January 2026

    The policy's own words
    (c) applicants enrolled at a grant maintained integrated primary school or controlled integrated primary school
  5. 5

    1(d) all other applicants

    The policy's own words
    (d) all other applicants.
  6. 6

    Ties within 1(a)-1(d), sub-criterion I: placed Lagan College first on the transfer application

    The policy's own words
    I. Applicants who have placed Lagan College first on their transfer application.
  7. 7

    II: enrolled at a grant maintained or controlled integrated primary school on 27 January 2026

    The policy's own words
    II. Applicants enrolled at a grant maintained integrated primary school or controlled integrated primary school
  8. 8

    III: enrolled at the integrated primary school closest to Lagan College (Ordnance Survey measurement)

    The policy's own words
    III. Applicants enrolled at the closest grant maintained integrated primary school or closest controlled integrated
  9. 9

    IV: parent or older sibling permanently employed by the Board of Governors (at least 10 hours a week), or parent is a governor, on 27 January 2026

    The policy's own words
    IV. Applicants with a parent or older brother or sister in the permanent employment of the Board of Governors
  10. 10

    V: enrolled at the primary school closest to Lagan College on 27 January 2026

    The policy's own words
    V. Applicants enrolled at the closest primary school to Lagan College on 27th January 2026.
  11. 11

    VI: unique random computerised number, places allocated in ascending order

    The policy's own words
    VI. If, after applying the previous criteria, in the order set down, there are more applications than spaces available,
  12. 12

    Stage II All-Ability Entry (65%, no reference to SEAG; unplaced Stage I applicants included): within each religious affiliation group (Other/none up to 20%, rest split equally Catholic/Protestant) the same criteria 1(a)-1(d) then tie sub-criteria I-VI are applied

    The policy's own words
    Applicants will be given priority within the three perceived religious affiliation groups (Catholic, Protestant and Other religious affiliation or none) and considered in the order listed:

Source: Lagan College, checked

More detail from our guide

These are the rules from Lagan's "Admissions criteria for entry September 2026Lagan College: Document title (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Lagan College.The source says: Admissions criteria for entry September 2026View the official source", so they are last year's. The criteria for September 2027 entry are Lagan College: Criteria published (2027)Not yet published by Lagan College; last checked 9 Oct 2026.The source says: Lagan College's Admission Policy & Criteria 2027 available in AutumnView the official source. The board of governors may change them, so check the new document when it appears.

In short: Two routes. Grammar stream (35%): ranked by SEAG score; ties broken by sibling, eldest child, integrated primary, then sub-criteria I-VI. All-ability (65%, no test needed): by religious group, using the same sibling/eldest/integrated-primary criteria and sub-criteria I-VI.Lagan College: Oversubscription criteria (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Lagan College.The source says: Criterion 1. SEAG Entrance Assessment outcome -Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS)View the official source

Stage I: grammar stream

Children were ranked by TSAS, highest first. On thresholds, the criteria said: No minimum score; Stage I is TSAS rank order up to 35% of places, and Stage II needs no assessment.Lagan College: Entrance threshold (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Lagan College.The source says: Applications will be considered at Stage II All-Ability entry regardless of whether the applicant did or did not sit the SEAG Assessment.View the official source Where children tied on score for the last places, Lagan worked down its family and school criteria, then sub-criteria I to VI.

Special circumstances only apply at this stage, because Stage II ignores test results. In 2026: For Stage I Grammar Stream Entry only: Special Circumstances (medical or other problems affecting SEAG performance) with documentary evidence and P5-P7 standardised English and Maths scores verified by the primary Principal; SC Form uploaded with the Transfer Application to the EA; the Admissions Sub-Committee may set an equivalent TSAS. Considered before Stage I criteria are applied.Lagan College: Special circumstances (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Lagan College.The source says: If parent(s)/carer(s) decide to proceed with a claim for Special Circumstances and they are making an application to one or more of the schools which use the SEAG Entrance Assessment outcome, then they must complete a Special Circumstances Form and upload details of the claim and the supporting evidence to the Education Authority, through the completion of the Transfer Application.View the official source

Stage II: all-ability places

This stage did not look at SEAG at all. Places were shared out by religious group first: Stage II places balanced by religious affiliation: up to 20% 'Other'/none, remainder split equally Catholic/Protestant; Lagan College placed first on the transfer application (sub-criterion I); Closest integrated primary school to Lagan College (sub-criterion III); Parent or older sibling employed by the Board of Governors (10+ hours/week) or parent a governor (sub-criterion IV); Closest primary school to Lagan College (sub-criterion V); Applications welcomed equally from girls and boys to preserve co-educationLagan College: Other criteria (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Lagan College.The source says: The criteria for the all-ability entry of the admissions procedure set out below will be applied first to 'Other' or no religious affiliations in the order set down and a maximum of 20% of the available places will be awarded to this group. ... The remaining places will be divided equally between Protestant and Roman Catholic applicants.View the official source

Within each group, the same criteria as Stage I decided the order.

The criteria used in both stages

  • Brothers and sisters. Brother(s), sister(s), half-brother or half-sister enrolled in the College by 27 January 2026, or formerly enrolled (criterion 1(a) in both Stage I and Stage II). Multiple-birth siblings treated under 1A.Lagan College: Sibling criterion (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Lagan College.The source says: 1 (a) applicants who have a brother(s) or sister(s) or half-brother or half-sister enrolled in the College by 27th January 2026, or formerly enrolled in the College;View the official source
  • Eldest or only child. Criterion 1(b): only or eldest child in the family to transfer to a mainstream post-primary school, verified by a primary school letter signed by the Principal; special rules for newly formed integrated primaries and older siblings at special schools/SPiM.Lagan College: Eldest child criterion (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Lagan College.The source says: (b) applicants who are the only or eldest child in their family, to transfer to a mainstream Post-Primary School. This must be verified by an accompanying Primary School letter, signed by the Principal.View the official source
  • Integrated primary schools. Criterion 1(c) and sub-criteria II/III favour pupils enrolled at any grant maintained integrated or controlled integrated primary school on 27 January 2026 (closest such school ranked higher); sub-criterion V favours the primary school closest to Lagan College. No individual schools named.Lagan College: Feeder criterion (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Lagan College.The source says: (c) applicants enrolled at a grant maintained integrated primary school or controlled integrated primary school on 27th January 2026;View the official source
  • The full tie-break order. (1) 1(a) sibling/half-sibling enrolled by 27 January 2026 or formerly enrolled. (2) 1(b) only or eldest child to transfer to mainstream post-primary. (3) 1(c) enrolled at a grant maintained or controlled integrated primary school. (4) Sub-criterion I: Lagan College placed first on the transfer application. (5) Sub-criterion II: enrolled at a grant maintained or controlled integrated primary school. (6) Sub-criterion III: enrolled at the closest integrated primary school to Lagan College (OS Map Console). (7) Sub-criterion IV: parent or older sibling employed 10+ hours/week by the Board of Governors, or parent a governor. (8) Sub-criterion V: enrolled at the closest primary school to Lagan College. (9) Sub-criterion VI: pre-allocated unique random computerised number (Randomizer.org, 1-1000), ascending order.Lagan College: Tie breakers (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Lagan College.The source says: If there are more applicants holding the same SEAG Entrance Assessment -Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) than places available for Stage I Grammar Stream Entry (maximum of 35% of the intake), preference will be given at that SEAG Entrance Assessment, Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) according to the following criteria in the order listed:View the official source
  • The last step. Unique random computerised number (1-1000, generated by Randomizer.org and verified by governors before 27 January 2026) attached to each application in EA spreadsheet order; places allocated in ascending order.Lagan College: Final tie break (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Lagan College.The source says: VI. If, after applying the previous criteria, in the order set down, there are more applications than spaces available, the unique random computerised number* (which was allocated on receipt of applications) will be assigned and used to allocate places in ascending order.View the official source

One point stands out. Sub-criterion I gave priority to families who put Lagan first on the transfer application. So at Lagan, the order of your preferences can matter. Think about that when you rank your schools.

Applying. Apply through the Education Authority online Transfer Application (opened 27 January 2026). Upload your child's SEAG results (TSAS and Unique Pupil Number) for grammar-stream entry, plus any Special Circumstances or Special Provision form and evidence.Lagan College: Application route (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Lagan College.The source says: Please ensure that you upload the following information with your child’s Transfer Application: [...] before the Transfer Application Process 2026 opens on 27th January 2026. [...] upload details of the claim and the supporting evidence to the Education Authority, through the completion of the Transfer Application.View the official source For children with no SEAG result: Children who did not sit SEAG can apply through Stage II All-Ability Entry (65% of places), which uses no SEAG outcome. Special Provision (for Stage I) covers children unable to sit for documented reasons, single-paper candidates, and those educated mostly outside NI.Lagan College: Applicants without result (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Lagan College.The source says: Applications will be considered at Stage II All-Ability entry regardless of whether the applicant did or did not sit the SEAG Assessment.View the official source

Waiting list. Unplaced applicants automatically go on the Year 8 waiting list; vacancies filled using the same criteria. After Year 8, parents must write to request Year 9 consideration.Lagan College: Waiting listChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Lagan College.The source says: Any student that has initially not gained a place during the Transfer Application process will automatically be moved on to the college’s waiting list for Year 8 entry only. In the event of a Year 8 vacancy arising, the above admissions criteria will continue to be applied in the order set down above.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

Lagan is an integrated school. In Northern Ireland that term describes: Schools that bring Protestant and Catholic children together with other traditions.Northern Ireland: IntegratedChecked 9 Oct 2026 against nidirect (NI Government).The source says: These schools invite Protestant and Catholic to come together with other traditions to improve their understanding of one another, their own cultures, religions and values.View the official source It is also a SEAG member and a test centre, but it is not a fully selective grammar school. Most of its places have nothing to do with the test.

Here is how the intake was split for September 2026 entry: 35% of the Year 8 intake via Stage I Grammar Stream Entry (SEAG TSAS rank order); 65% via Stage II All-Ability Entry (no SEAG), split by religious affiliation: up to 20% Other/none, remainder equally Catholic and Protestant, aiming at 50/50 Catholic/Protestant. Unsuccessful Stage I applicants are automatically considered at Stage II.Lagan College: Partially selective detailChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Lagan College.The source says: * In the event that applications considered at Stage I Grammar Stream entry exceed the number of places available (35% of the intake), all applications which are not admitted at Stage I Grammar Stream entry will automatically be considered at Stage II All-Ability entry.View the official source

So what does that mean for your child?

  • If they sit SEAG, Lagan looks at them first for a Stage I grammar stream place, using their TSAS (138 to 282, average 200SEAG (Northern Ireland): total score range (total standardised age score)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: The Total SAS range will be 138-282 with a mean (or average) of 200.View the official source). If they are not placed there, they move into Stage II without you doing anything.
  • If they do not sit SEAG, they can still apply. Stage II does not ask for a result.

Children sit two papers, English (or Irish) and mathsSEAG (Northern Ireland): the two test papersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: The SEAG Entrance Assessment consists of two Papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. Both Papers have an identical format and are set at the same level of difficulty.View the official source. 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 and Paper 2 on 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. Read our SEAG transfer test guide and results explained for the detail.

How the Northern Ireland test works

Open days

Next: Open Day (2027 entry), Sat 16 Jan 2027

  1. Done: Open Day (2026 entry cycle) (passed)

    9.00am to 12.30pm; Principal's address 9.00am, 10.00am, 11.00am and 12 noon

  2. Done: P6 Information Evening (passed)

  3. Coming up: Open Day (2027 entry)

Source: Lagan College, 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.

If Lagan does not offer a place, you can appeal. Who decides: 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 An appeal can only be about one thing: 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

At Lagan that might mean checking your child's Stage I score position, the religious group they were placed in, or a tie-break such as the eldest-child letter. Keep in mind: A school uses only the information on the child's Transfer application when applying its criteria.Northern Ireland: Only form info usedChecked 9 Oct 2026 against nidirect (NI Government).The source says: When considering your child’s application, a post-primary school only uses information on your child’s Transfer application.View the official source And on evidence: 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

The deadline for 2027 entry 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. For 2026 entry 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. The form is 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.

A different body handles claims that a child must attend one school for exceptional reasons. It 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.

Official documents and sources

6 sources, each kept as an archived copy

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