About the school
Dominican College, Portstewart is a Catholic co-educational voluntary grammar school for pupils aged 11 to 18, located in Portstewart, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. With around 650 pupils, it is one of the leading grammar schools on the North Coast, known for its strong academic results, outstanding pastoral care, and an inclusive community that draws a significant proportion of pupils from other denominations.
The school was founded in 1917 by the Dominican Sisters on the site of the former O'Hara's Castle and became co-educational in 1968. The Dominican College, Portstewart, address is 2 Strand Road, Portstewart, County Londonderry, BT55 7PF. Guided by the motto “Veritas,” meaning Truth, the school occupies a striking cliff-top site overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, with views over the coastline and the Donegal hills.
Dominican College, Portstewart admissions are part of the SEAG group of Northern Ireland grammar schools, and the school uses the Dominican College, Portstewart 11 plus exam, the SEAG Entrance Assessment, to select pupils for Year 8. The school is often oversubscribed, which makes early, well-structured exam preparation valuable.
School type
Co-educational Catholic Voluntary Grammar (Selective)
Exam date
Saturday 14 & Saturday 21 November 2026 (for September 2027 entry)
Exam board
SEAG Entrance Assessment (GL Assessment)
Address
2 Strand Road, Portstewart, County Londonderry, BT55 7PF
Age range
11–18 (Years 7–13)
Our tuition for Dominican College, Portstewart supports pupils through Years 3, 4, 5, and 6 with structured lessons, intensive courses, full-time mock exams, and free practice papers.
Year 3 Preparation
Foundational Skills for Success
Year 4 Preparation
Building Confidence and Competence
Year 5 Preparation
Intensive Exam Practice and Strategy
Year 6 Preparation
Path to Success
Intensive Course
Accelerated 11+ Revision and Mock Testing
Free Practice Paper
Gain a real insight to the exam
Mock Exams
Book Now
Admissions information
The Dominican College, Portstewart, entrance test is the SEAG Entrance Assessment. Here is everything you need to know about Dominican College, Portstewart admissions and the exam structure.
Dominican College, Portstewart, is one of the SEAG group of grammar schools in Northern Ireland that use academic selection for entry to Year 8. The school uses the Total Standardised Age Score (TSAS) from the SEAG Entrance Assessment, which is written by GL Assessment for the Schools' Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG). Entry is on the basis of academic ability.
The Dominican College, Portstewart 11 plus exam is the SEAG Entrance Assessment, which consists of two papers, both assessing English (or Gaeilge) and Mathematics. Each paper has an identical format with a Practice Test Section followed by a 60-minute Main Test. For the September 2027 entry, Paper 1 is taken on Saturday 14 November 2026 and Paper 2 on Saturday 21 November 2026, with results issued at the end of January 2027.
For Dominican College, Portstewart, 11 plus registration, parents must register themselves and then make a pupil application on the SEAG portal at seagni.co.uk. Registration usually opens in May and closes towards the end of September, with a non-refundable administration fee of £20 (free for pupils eligible for free school meals). Families must also complete the Transfer Application through the Education Authority, with the post-primary application deadline usually in early 2027.
SEAG results, in the form of a Statement of Outcome showing the Total Standardised Age Score, are issued at the end of January 2027. Children resident in Northern Ireland are considered before those who are not, and a higher score is admitted before a lower score; reaching a particular score does not guarantee a place, as the school applies its admissions criteria where demand exceeds places.
Key admissions details
Dominican College, Portstewart, has an enrolment of around 650 pupils, admitting a full co-educational Year 8 intake each year. The school is often oversubscribed for Year 8 places, so the Total Standardised Age Score combined with the Dominican College, Portstewart admissions criteria determines who is offered a place, with the school's ethos criteria applied as part of the process.
Dominican College, Portstewart does not operate a strict distance-based catchment area; it draws pupils from a wide geographical area across the North Coast and beyond, including a significant proportion from other denominations. Entry is based first on the SEAG score; where applicants exceed places, the Dominican College, Portstewart catchment area is effectively shaped by its admissions criteria, including siblings at the school, family links and feeder schools, rather than by a fixed boundary.
Our tutors know the SEAG Transfer Test format inside out. Book a free assessment today and let us build a personalised preparation plan for your child starting wherever they are right now.
Hi-Tech Learning Platform
Subject Specialist Tutors
Live & Recorded Lessons
1-to-1 Live Classes
3 Lessons Per Week
SEAG Curriculum
Regular Homework
Real-Time Results
Weekly Assessments
Regular Feedback Reports
Unlimited Mock Practice
Exam Technique Coaching
In-Person & Online
Great Parent Support
Affordable Tuition Plans
“Jag is a profound tutor with excellent teaching skills and infectious sense of humor. He uses these skills to engage and motivate with students to achieve their full potential. My daughter was enrolled with Jag for 7 months in preparation for her 11 plus exam and she passed brilliantly!”
Jade
Parent
“I wanted to boost my English grade… they connected closely with parents, which kept me motivated and on track.”
Ayva
Student
“I decided to give Pass 11 Plus Grammar a try as it was cheaper than other services I had tried before. I ended up getting an A grade — great value for money.”
Yousif
Student
“I attended the course in June and finally felt satisfied after trying several tutoring services.”
Aurora
Student
“Strongly recommend 11+ Plus Grammar Preparation Success. It helped me reach my full potential and pass my exam. The support and resources from the tutor are excellent.”
Jovan
Student
“I wanted to boost my English grade, so I enrolled in Pass 11 Plus Grammar. It was a great investment and I got a grade much better than I imagined. Their regular contact with parents kept me motivated.”
Jennifer
Student
Dominican College, Portstewart was founded in 1917 by the Dominican Sisters on the site of the former O'Hara's Castle, and became co-educational in 1968. It today educates around 650 pupils aged 11 to 18, including a sixth form.
Dominican College, Portstewart is a popular and high-performing school on the North Coast and is often oversubscribed for Year 8 places. Places are competitive, making thorough Dominican College, Portstewart exam preparation essential.
The Dominican College, Portstewart 11 plus is the SEAG Entrance Assessment, consisting of two papers assessing English (or Gaeilge) and Mathematics, each with a Practice Test Section and a 60-minute Main Test. Paper 1 is on Saturday, 14 November 2026 and Paper 2 is on Saturday, 21 November 2026.
Dominican College, Portstewart does not operate a strict distance-based catchment area and draws pupils from across the North Coast and beyond. Entry is based first on the SEAG score, with siblings, family links and feeder schools used in its admissions criteria, so families from a wide area can apply.
For Dominican College, Portstewart 11 plus registration, parents must register on the SEAG portal at seagni.co.uk, usually from May until late September, with a £20 administration fee. The Transfer Application is completed through the Education Authority, with the post-primary deadline in early 2027.
Yes. Dominican College, Portstewart offers a wide range of extracurricular activities including netball, camogie, hurling, soccer, Gaelic football, athletics and tennis, alongside music, drama and faith-based and community programmes.
Yes, all our Dominican College, Portstewart 11 plus tuition is available both in-person at our Edgbaston, Birmingham centre and online via live video sessions. Online tuition gives families across Northern Ireland and beyond access to our expert tutors without the need to travel. The quality and personalisation of sessions is identical in both formats.
Other grammar schools
We prepare children for grammar school entry across Northern Ireland and the wider UK. Explore other schools or browse all locations.
Loading schools…
Book a free assessment and get a personalised SEAG preparation plan for your child.