Admission criteria for grammar schools in Northern Ireland for entrance in September 2025 may have changed.
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 that school in September 2025.
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 2025.
St Colmans College Newry
St. Colman's College, Newry - a brief history.
St Colman's College Newry is a long-established boys’ grammar school in the town of Newry. It was founded in1823 and in 1824 was recorded as having 40 pupils. The school occupies some 60 acres of land at Violet Hill in Newry. The College is often known as “Violet Hill.” The college achieves excellent standards in both academics and sport. It is the most successful Gaelic Football school in Ulster. St Colman’s College currently has around 860 pupils and uses academic ability in its selection process for entry into year 8. The college has 100 places on offer for year 8 intake and is often oversubscribed for these places.
St Colman’s College, Newry uses the results of the SEAG Assessment version of the Transfer Test exam as part of its selection procedure.