E : school@wallacehigh.org
ENTRY CRITERIA (YEARS 9-12)
The following criteria will be applied in determining admission to Years 9–12 in the order set down below:
1. Academic Suitability
A range of standardised information will be considered to determine whether the applicant’s academic ability is appropriate for the year group to which he or she is applying. This may include, where applicable, evidence such as:
- SEAG score
- CAT (Cognitive Abilities Test)
- PTE (Progress Test in English)
- PTM (Progress Test in Mathematics)
Applicants must demonstrate attainment within the expected ability range for the relevant year group.
For applicants transferring from outside Northern Ireland, suitable academic information must be provided to allow assessment of the applicant’s ability level in relation to the year group. Where such information is limited or unavailable, the applicant may be invited to attend the school to complete academic or standardised assessments to support this evaluation.
Applicants who do not demonstrate academic suitability will not be considered further.
2. Attendance, Behaviour, and Effort
Evidence must be provided from the applicant’s current school confirming:
- A good attendance record*, and
- A good behaviour and effort profile, including the applicant’s conduct and engagement in learning.
The school will request the most recent written report from the school and reserves the right to request further information/a school reference as required.
Applicants who do not meet the standard required for attendance, behaviour, or effort will not be considered further. *Exceptional circumstances will be taken into consideration regarding the attendance record.
3. Family / Past Pupil Links
Where oversubscription occurs among applicants who meet Criteria 1 and 2, priority will be given to:
- applicants who previously attended Wallace Prep; and/or
- applicants who have a sibling or siblings currently enrolled at the grammar school.
4. Tie‑Breaker (Standardised Scores)
In the event that the number of applicants who meet Criteria 1 and 2, and who also qualify under Criterion 3, exceeds the number of places available, places will be allocated to those applicants with the highest overall academic profile on the basis of standardised scores available. The school reserves the right to run an admissions test to support this process.
If two or more applicants remain tied after this process, the place will be allocated by random computerised selection conducted by the school.
Admission to Sixth Form
The Sixth Form entry policy is approved by the Board of Governors and implemented by the Principal and senior staff. It is reviewed on an annual basis and students are required to fulfil criteria for transfer into L6 and into U6.