About the school
St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School, widely known as St Mary’s CBGS, is a Catholic boys’ voluntary grammar school on the Glen Road in west Belfast, Northern Ireland, educating around 1,200 pupils aged 11 to 18. It is one of Northern Ireland’s largest all-boys grammar schools, with a long tradition of academic and sporting success.
Founded in 1866 by the Irish Christian Brothers, the order established by Edmund Rice, the school began in Divis Street before moving to Barrack Street in 1929 and then to its current Glen Road site in 1968. It is now under the trusteeship of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust, blending Catholic values with high academic expectations.
St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School uses the SEAG transfer test as part of its admissions criteria for Year 8 entry, with approximately 181 places available each year.
School type
Boys' Catholic Voluntary Grammar
Exam date
Sat 14th & Sat 21st November 2026 (SEAG)
Exam board
SEAG (GL Assessment)
Address
147A Glen Road, Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT11 8NR
Age range
11–18 (Years 8–14)
Our St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School 11 plus tuition supports pupils through Year 5, Primary 6 and Primary 7 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 St Mary's Christian Brothers' 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 St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School admissions criteria and exam structure.
St Mary's Christian Brothers' 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 St Mary's Christian Brothers' 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
St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School has approximately 181 places available in Year 8, and the school is regularly oversubscribed, often receiving more than 100 applications above this figure.
St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School does not operate a single fixed catchment area but draws pupils from across Belfast and beyond. Places are allocated under the school’s published admissions criteria, which use the SEAG Total Standardised Age Score alongside sub-criteria such as siblings and family links.
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
St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School is located at 147A Glen Road in west Belfast, Co. Antrim, BT11 8NR. It is a Catholic boys’ voluntary grammar school serving pupils aged 11 to 18.
St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School was founded in 1866 by the Irish Christian Brothers, beginning in Divis Street. It moved to Barrack Street in 1929 and to its current Glen Road site in 1968.
St Mary's Christian Brothers' 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.
St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School draws pupils from across Belfast and beyond, and does not operate a single fixed catchment area. 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 St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School.
St Mary's Christian Brothers' Grammar School is regularly oversubscribed, often receiving more than 100 applications above its 181 Year 8 places. Entry depends on the SEAG result and the school’s admissions criteria.
Yes, all our 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 the wider region 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.