NI Grammar School Admission criteria for
September 2024
Admission criteria for grammar schools in Northern Ireland for entrance in September 2024 will have changed.
The previous Transfer Tests - either the AQE or GL (PPTC) version has been replaced by the SEAG Transfer Test. Almost all grammar schools will be using the results in the SEAG Transfer Tests as one of many criteria used as part of the admissions policy for entry into year 8 (first form).
Grammar School admission criteria can vary greatly from school to school and you should make yourself aware of all the criteria details as they will determine which children will be admitted to this school in September 2024.
Make sure that you provide the school with all the information that they require as the school will use the information that you provide when making their decision about which children are admitted in September 2024.
The Royal Belfast Academical Institution
Royal Belfast Academical Institution (Inst) - a brief history.
The Royal Belfast Academical Institution (commonly known as INST) was founded by public subscription from the citizens of Belfast. The foundation stone was laid in 1810 with the school opening in 1814. One of the founders, Dr William Drennan, envisaged one of the purpose of the school to be “…to diffuse useful knowledge, particularly among the middling orders of society, as one of the necessities rather than of the luxuries of life….” Between 1835 and 1849 The Royal Belfast Academical Institution (INST) also had a medical school attached to its “Collegiate Department” (the “Collegiate” department provided qualifications similar to a university). The school occupies a very imposing site in the centre of Belfast. Today the school has over 1000 pupils and is always heavily oversubscribed.
The Royal Belfast Academical Institution (INST) uses the new SEAG Single Entrance Transfer Test results as part of its intake criteria into year 8.