About the school
Carrickfergus Grammar School is a co-educational controlled grammar school in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, educating just over 800 pupils aged 11 to 18. It is consistently ranked among the top controlled grammar schools in Northern Ireland for GCSE results and is known for its strong pastoral care and family ethos.
Founded in 1962 with just 60 pupils and four teachers, the school stands on the former site of Thornfield Manor on the North Road, overlooking the town, Carrickfergus Castle and Belfast Lough. Its motto is "Præstantia," and it holds specialist status in science. It is also known for its achievements in rugby, hockey, football and music.
Carrickfergus Grammar School uses the SEAG transfer test as part of its admissions criteria for Year 8 entry, drawing pupils from Carrickfergus and surrounding areas including Belfast, Newtownabbey and Larne.
School type
Co-Educational Controlled Grammar
Exam date
Sat 14th & Sat 21st November 2026 (SEAG)
Exam board
SEAG (GL Assessment)
Address
120 North Road, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim, BT38 7RA
Age range
11–18 (Years 8–14)
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Admissions information
The Carrickfergus Grammar School entrance test is the SEAG transfer test, used by grammar schools across Northern Ireland. Here is everything you need to know about the Carrickfergus Grammar School admissions criteria and exam structure.
Carrickfergus Grammar School selects pupils on academic ability through the SEAG Entrance Assessment, the single transfer test used by the great majority of grammar schools in Northern Ireland. The assessment is provided by GL Assessment on behalf of the Schools' Entrance Assessment Group and consists of two papers, each assessing English (or Gaeilge) and Mathematics.
Each of the two papers lasts 60 minutes and contains a mix of multiple-choice and free-response questions, with answers recorded on a separate answer sheet. The papers are taken on two Saturdays a week apart, and a pupil's marks across both papers are combined into a Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS), which is age-standardised so that younger children are not disadvantaged.
Parents register their child to sit the SEAG Entrance Assessment online through the SEAG website. For September 2027 entry, registration opens on Monday 18th May 2026 and closes on Friday 18th September 2026. Parents must then name Carrickfergus Grammar School on their Education Authority Post-Primary Transfer Form during the open application period.
SEAG Statements of Outcomes are released to parents on Saturday 23rd January 2027, after which families list their preferred schools through the Education Authority. The Education Authority informs parents of their child's allocated school in May 2027. A high TSAS does not guarantee a place, as places are allocated in strict rank order when a school is oversubscribed.
Key admissions details
Carrickfergus Grammar School admits pupils into Year 8 each year using the SEAG transfer test as part of its admissions criteria, with a total enrolment of just over 800 pupils across Years 8 to 14.
Carrickfergus Grammar School does not operate a single fixed catchment area but draws pupils from Carrickfergus and the surrounding areas, including Belfast, Newtownabbey and Larne. Places are allocated under the school's published admissions criteria, which use the SEAG result and a series of sub-criteria.
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Carrickfergus Grammar School is located at 120 North Road, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim, BT38 7RA, on the former site of Thornfield Manor overlooking the town and Belfast Lough. It is a co-educational controlled grammar school serving pupils aged 11 to 18.
Carrickfergus Grammar School was founded in 1962 with just 60 pupils and four teachers, and has since grown to just over 800 pupils. Its motto is "Præstantia," and it holds specialist status in science.
Carrickfergus Grammar School uses the SEAG transfer test, provided by GL Assessment for the Schools' Entrance Assessment Group. It consists of two papers covering English and mathematics, and can be taken in either English or Gaeilge.
Carrickfergus Grammar School draws pupils from Carrickfergus and surrounding areas, including Belfast, Newtownabbey and Larne. There is no single fixed catchment area, and places are allocated under the school's published admissions criteria using the SEAG result.
For Year 8 entry in 2027, registration for the SEAG transfer test runs through the SEAG website, typically opening in May 2026 and closing in September 2026. Parents must also complete the Education Authority Transfer Application naming Carrickfergus Grammar School.
Carrickfergus Grammar School is a popular and oversubscribed school. Entry depends on the SEAG result and the school's admissions criteria, and in recent years pupils have typically needed a strong standardised score to secure a place.
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