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Omagh Academy Grammar School: Year 8 entry

21-23 Dublin Road, Omagh, BT78 1HF

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.

    Checked, source: Omagh Academy, checked

  • Year 8 places

    95

    2026 entry, Published Admission Number ()

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Most Northern Ireland schools do not publish how far places reached.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

Omagh Academy Grammar School in brief

tap a value for its source

Year 8 places
95Year 8 placesChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Omagh 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 (95).View the official source2026 entry
The (PAN): how many children the school plans to admit.
Pupils
co-educationalPupilsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Omagh Academy.The source says: Omagh 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

Last year the timing was strict. The 2026 application window: Transfer Application (EA online), opening 27 January 2026 12 noon; punctual by 12 noon 19 February 2026Omagh Academy Grammar School: Application route (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Omagh 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.View the official source. And on lateness: Applications after 12 noon 19 February 2026 are late and considered after punctual applications.Omagh Academy Grammar School: Late applicationsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Omagh 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 will be treated as a late application.View the official source

How places are given

6 admission rules, in order, for 2026 entry

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

    The policy's own words
    2.1 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

    2.2 Strict rank order of Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group () Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) up to 95

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

    2.3 i Sibling (child of the family) currently enrolled

    The policy's own words
    i. Children who, at the date of their application have a child of the family1 currently enrolled at the School
  4. 4

    2.3 ii Eldest child of the family

    The policy's own words
    ii. | Children who, at the date of their application are the eldest2child of thefamily1;
  5. 5

    2.3 iii Surname initial letter in a set order, then subsequent letters/forenames

    The policy's own words
    iii. | Children ranked by the initial letter of surname (and if necessary, subsequent letters), as entered on the |
  6. 6

    2.3 iv Still tied for last place: older child first by date of birth

    The policy's own words
    iv. In the event that after all the above criteria have been applied, and there are two or more children still tied for the last remaining place, those pupils will be ranked by order of date of birth

Source: Omagh Academy, checked

More detail from our guide

A word on dates first. What we describe here is the academy's "Admissions criteria for entry September 2026Omagh Academy Grammar School: Document title (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Omagh Academy.The source says: ADMISSIONS CRITERIA FOR ENTRY OF PUPILS TO YEAR 8 IN SEPTEMBER 2026View the official source": last year's rules. Its criteria for September 2027 entry are Omagh Academy Grammar School: Criteria published (2027)Not yet published by Omagh Academy; last checked 9 Oct 2026.The source says: OA Admissions Criteria 2026View the official source. As a controlled grammar schoolOmagh Academy Grammar School: Management typeChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Omagh Academy.The source says: Omagh Academy is a co-educational non-denominational controlled grammar school.View the official source, the academy's criteria are set by its board of governors, who can change them for each new intake.

The 2026 order, as the school numbered it: (1) 2.1 NI residents before non-residents. (2) 2.2 Strict rank order of SEAG TSAS up to 95. (3) 2.3 i Sibling (child of the family) currently enrolled. (4) 2.3 ii Eldest child of the family. (5) 2.3 iii Surname initial letter in a set order, then subsequent letters/forenames. (6) 2.3 iv Still tied for last place: older child first by date of birth.Omagh Academy Grammar School: Oversubscription criteria (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Omagh Academy.The source says: If the number of applications is greater than the Admissions Number determined by the Department of Education, the following criteria (to include sub-criteria) shall be applied in the order listed below until the point where the admissions number is reached.View the official source

What this means in practice:

Living in Northern Ireland came first. Children resident in NI were placed before anyone else.

Then the score. Places allocated in strict rank order of SEAG TSAS up to 95; children without SEAG considered only if places remain.Omagh Academy Grammar School: Academic selection (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Omagh Academy.The source says: The Board of Governors will first consider for admission to Year 8, children who have taken the Schools’ Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG) Entrance Assessment and been awarded a Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) awarded by SEAGView the official source Minimum score? No minimum score stated; strict rank order.Omagh Academy Grammar School: Entrance threshold (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Omagh 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 (95).View the official source

Ties on the last places. If several children had the same TSAS at the cut, the academy looked at these in turn:

OrderTie-break (2026 entry)
FirstA child of the family currently enrolled at the School at the date of application (DE "child of the family" definition, footnote 1).Omagh Academy Grammar School: Sibling criterion (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Omagh Academy.The source says: i. Children who, at the date of their application have a child of the family1 currently enrolled at the School (state name(s) and registration groups on the Transfer Application);View the official source
SecondEldest child of the family (only children treated as eldest; twins/multiples joint eldest; eldest child of either parent); proof by letter from an independent verifier.Omagh Academy Grammar School: Eldest child criterion (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Omagh Academy.The source says: | ii. | Children who, at the date of their application are the eldest2child of thefamily1; |View the official source
ThirdInitial letter of the surname, in a fixed order set out in the criteria, then later letters and forenames
LastDate of birth, older child first (after the surname-letter ordering).Omagh Academy Grammar School: Final tie break (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Omagh Academy.The source says: iv. In the event that after all the above criteria have been applied, and there are two or more children still tied for the last remaining place, those pupils will be ranked by order of date of birth, preference being given to the older child established by date of birth as entered on the Register of Births or the Adopted Children’s Register.View the official source

The school's own list, with the full surname-letter order:

Tie-breaks as printed (2026 entry)
(1) Child of the family currently enrolled. (2) Eldest (or only) child of the family. (3) Surname initial letter order J R A W U K Mac S X C L Mc P Z T I D N B M H F Y O G Q E V, then further letters and forenames. (4) Date of birth, older child first.Omagh Academy Grammar School: Tie breakers (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Omagh Academy.The source says: 2.3 Places will then be allocated using the following sub-criteria, in the order listed:View the official source

No feeder schools. The 2026 criteria did not favour any primary school.

Special circumstances. If illness or another serious problem affected the test, you could ask for it to be considered. Last year: Form SC (from the School) and documentary evidence uploaded with the Transfer Application; Admissions Committee may assign an equivalent TSAS using P5-P7 standardised tests and comparative class data.Omagh Academy Grammar School: Special circumstances (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Omagh Academy.The source says: Parents/Guardians who wish to apply to the School under Special Circumstances should complete Form SC, obtainable from the School, stating the precise reason why they believe the child should be considered for Special Circumstances. The Form SC and appropriate documentary evidence should be uploaded with the Transfer Application.View the official source

No SEAG result. Considered only if places remain after all children with a TSAS (or assigned TSAS); if NI-resident (2.1) they are allocated by sub-criteria 2.3. Special Provisions cover children unable to sit, who sat one paper, or who were not registered for a serious reason.Omagh Academy Grammar School: Applicants without result (2026)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Omagh 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 TSAS assigned by the Admissions 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

Statements of special educational needs. Statemented pupils placed outside normal Open Enrolment procedures (Education Authority)Omagh Academy Grammar School: Statement pupilsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Omagh Academy.The source says: The procedures for children in receipt of a Statement of Special Educational Needs will operate outside the normal Open Enrolment proceduresView the official source.

Waiting list. Unsuccessful applicants automatically added to a separate Year 8 waiting list until 30 June 2027.Omagh Academy Grammar School: Waiting listChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Omagh Academy.The source says: Omagh Academy Grammar School operates a separate waiting list for Year 8. Should your application for a place in Omagh Academy Grammar School be unsuccessful, your child’s name will be automatically added to the waiting list.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

Omagh Academy is a SEAG school and a test centre. For September 2027 entry your child sits the SEAG Entrance AssessmentOmagh Academy Grammar School: 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, made up of 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. The two Saturdays are 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.

Nervous about the day itself? The school is running a short session so children can see how the test works beforehand: SEAG familiarisation session at Omagh Academy: Friday 23 October 2026, 2.00-2.30pm (before the tests on 14 and 21 November 2026).Omagh Academy Grammar School: Seag familiarisationChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Omagh Academy.The source says: Omagh Academy will hold a familiarisation session on Friday 23 October 2026 2.00-2.30pm to help ... children prepare for the assessments on 14 and 21 November 2026 and inform parents aboutView the official source

The number that counts here is the TSAS. It runs 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, and the academy lists every applicant from the highest TSAS down. Bands are not part of the 2026 criteria. Results arrive 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.

There is more on scoring in our SEAG transfer test guide and in results explained.

How the Northern Ireland test works

Open days

Next: Omagh Academy Open Night, Thu 28 Jan 2027

  1. Done: Open Evening (passed)

    6.30pm

  2. Coming up: Omagh Academy Open Night

    Evening

Source: Omagh 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.

Not getting a place at Omagh Academy does not end the process. 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

You may also appeal the academy's decision. It goes to: 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 must show this: 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 With places in strict TSAS order, that means checking the score used, residence, and any tie-break that applied to your child. 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 2027 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; in 2026 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. You will need 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.

Official documents and sources

4 sources, each kept as an archived copy

ExamKind is independent. We are not connected with Omagh Academy 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