Sperrin Integrated College

When there are more applications than places for 2026-27 (Year 8), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1. 1Grammar Stream Entry is available for a maximum of 35% of the intake. Parents of academically able children may opt for Grammar Entry and should clearly indicate this on the online Application/Transfer Form. The College will strive for religious balance both within the Grammar Entry and the overall admissions number. If the number of applicants for Grammar Entry exceeds the number of places available, the criteria listed below will be used to determine a rank order of applicants for criterion 1. Academic evidence* is simply an indicator of the pupil’s academic profile and is used to inform learning and teaching, curriculum planning, timetabling, and resourcing. Parents/Guardians and pupils in Primary 6 and 7 (and Year 12 pupils considering transferring to Sperrin College) are most welcome to one of our scheduled Open Events on Wednesday 14th January 2026 and Thursday 15th January 2026. The event will be available for booking on www.sperrincollege.com from 5th January 2026. Parents of prospective pupils are encouraged to contact the college office (028 7963 4177) with any queries regarding our grammar and all ability pathways, the college campus, and the application process. Those applying for grammar entry and who are not admitted under criterion 1, will automatically be considered for admission, with all other applicants, using the remaining criteria, 2 – 6.
2. 2Applicants who have a sibling** currently enrolled or previously attended the College, living at the same address. Criterion 2 is oversubscribed, Criteria 3, 4, 5 and 6 will be applied in that order.
3. 3Children whose parent/guardian has indicated a first or second preference for Sperrin Integrated College. If Criterion 3 is oversubscribed, Criteria 4, 5 and 6 will be applied in that order.
4. 4Children who are transferring from any Integrated Primary School either Grant Maintained Integrated or Controlled Integrated. If Criterion 4 is oversubscribed, Criteria 5 and 6 will be applied in that order.
5. 5Applicants who are the eldest, child of the family. Criterion 5 will be applied, and eligible applicants awarded a place. If Criterion 5 is oversubscribed, Criteria 6 will be applied.
6. 6In the event of two children with the same date of birth the randomised selection of letters printed below will be applied. In the event of surnames beginning with the same initial letter the subsequent letters of the surnames will be used in alphabetical order. In the event of 2 identical surnames the alphabetical order of the initials of the forenames will be used. The order was determined by a randomised selection of letters. W F G H Y S J I T O A R Q N Z X MC V D U B L MAC K C E P M To support parents/guardians in the application process, the following information and definitions are important: ** Sibling is defined as another child of the family (Article 2(2) of The Domestic Proceedings (NI) Order 1980), to include adopted/fostered children, half brothers and sisters and orphaned cousins being brought up within a family. Twins and other multiples who are the eldest in the family are treated as joint eldest children. Our aim is to have an intake which is as close as possible to the ratio of 35% Catholic, 35% Protestant and 30% of pupils of other faiths, or none, (Other Category). The Criteria will be applied first to pupils in the ‘Others’ category until a maximum of 30% of the places, have been allocated. In the event that less than 30% of the places have been awarded, the balance will be equally divided between Roman Catholic and Protestant applicants. Should an odd number of places remain, the additional place will be allocated to the main tradition having the greatest number of pupils. The Criteria will then be applied separately to Roman Catholic and Protestant pupils. Should there be fewer from either tradition than there are places available for that tradition, then the balance of places will be allocated to the other tradition. The religious affiliation of a pupil will be decided by the religious affiliation noted on or uploaded with the online Application/Transfer Form. If the religious affiliation of a pupil has not been provided the Governors reserve the right to seek verification before allocating the child to a category as follows:
7. 7The Governors will seek to determine the affiliation firstly by consultation with the pupil’s parents.
8. 8In the event that this does not determine the affiliation the pupil will be classified according to the type of primary school attended if it is controlled or maintained.
9. 9Where no religious affiliation can be determined the student will be placed in the ‘Other’ category.

Northern Ireland open-enrolment admissions criteria, as published by the Education Authority for entry in September 2026.

Published by the admission authority. Meeting a criterion never guarantees a place — it sets the order places are offered in. Full detail, other entry points and previous years are on the Admissions tab.