Post primary schools

Before a child leaves primary school, they sit two transfer tests in Year 7. Tests in English, Maths, Science and Technology are taken in November and the results announced in February. Results are graded A-D.

Once you know your child’s results, you fill in a transfer form. Your child’s school principal will interview you and help complete the transfer form. List the schools according to preference where you want your child’s education to continue. Parents usually choose several grammar, integrated or secondary schools.

Schools select pupils with the highest academic grades. Schools inform parents by early June. A school often receives more applications from children with high grades than there are available places. Then, places are offered to pupils who qualify through sibling or parental connection with a school or address proximity to a school.

There are integrated, secondary and grammar schools. Where a grammar or secondary school professes a Protestant or Catholic ethos, the school is open to all children from any or no faith who obtain the highest academic grades.

Post-primary school education is compulsory until a child is sixteen years old, Years 8-12. At the end of Year 12 (fifth year), most children take GCSE examinations during May and June.

GCSE results are published in August. Some students return to study subjects at Advanced Level (A-Level) in the same school or at a college. Some secondary schools also offer A-Levels for sixth form students (Years 10-12).

Some students leave to begin a vocational training in a trade or skill. Some school leavers have no academic passes. They don’t pursue education nor vocational training nor do they begin employment.