Year 8 Admissions

Admissions will be determined by a designated sub-committee of the Board of Governors, which shall include the Principal. The Board of Governors reserves the right to require such supplementary evidence as it may determine to support or verify information on the Transfer Application. You may be required to present verification documents after your child has been offered a place at the School, at the sole discretion of the Board of Governors. Original documents are required and not digital copies or photocopies. The provision of false or incorrect information or the failure to provide verifying documents according to the required deadline may result in either the withdrawal of a place or the inability of the school to offer a place.

Year 8 Induction Booklet Bus Information

How to Raise Concern Code for Responsible Computer Use

Saintfield High School - Uniform

Saintfield High School - PE Kit

Transfer Procedure 2025

In the event of the school being over-subscribed, a pupil will be admitted according to the following criteria, applied in the order set down:

1. Children who have a child of the family* currently enrolled at the school (applicants should record on the Transfer Application the name of the child and date of enrolment at the school), or children whose parent/carer is a permanent employee of the school.

2. Children who have had a child of the family* who attended the school. Applicants should record on the Transfer Form the name of the child and date he/she left Saintfield High School.

3. Children who are the eldest child(ren) of the family* (where applicable, twins (or other multiples) will be treated as joint eldest), or the first child of the family to transfer to a non-selective school (verification maybe required) and who attends a traditional contributory primary school (see list of feeder schools below)

Academy, Saintfield, Alexander Dickson, Anahilt, Andrews Memorial, Ballynahinch, Cairnshill Integrated, Carr, Carrickmannon, Carryduff, Cedar Integrated, Comber, Derryboy, Downpatrick, Drumlins Integrated, Glasswater, Killinchy, Killyleagh Integrated, Knockbreda, Millennium Integrated, Moneyrea, St Mary’s, Comber and Spa.

4. Children who attend a feeder/named primary school (see list of schools above) and who list Saintfield High School as their first preference post-primary school on the Transfer Form.

5. All other children.

If, following the application of the above criteria in order, there comes a point where there are more children who meet a particular criterion than there are spaces available, priority will be given to children:

A – Who list Saintfield High School as their first preference post primary school then;

B – For whom Saintfield High School is the nearest suitable school as measured by the Ordnance Survey web distance measurement tool.

*Child of the family as defined in DE Circular 2023/15: The Procedure for Transfer from Primary to Post Primary Education, Annex 2, Paragraph 4.

When considering which children should be selected for admission, the Board of Governors will only take into account information which is detailed on, or attached to the Transfer Application, relating to the set criteria. Parents/carers should therefore ensure that all information pertaining to their child and relevant to the school’s admissions criteria is stated on the Transfer Application or attached to it.

Year 8 Waiting List

Applicants who did not gain a place in Saintfield High School as part of the transfer procedure will automatically be placed in rank order upon the school’s admissions waiting list after 1 September 2025.

Should a place become available after 1 September 2025, priority will be given to those applicants who have named Saintfield High School as their first preference post primary school. In the event of a place becoming available the School will contact the applicant’s parent/carer to arrange an interview with the Principal or Vice-Principal. New applications for Year 8 will be added to the waiting list in rank order after applying the admissions criteria.

At the end of Year 8 the School will contact all applicants’ parents/carers on the waiting list to determine whether they wish to remain on the waiting list. Those applicants wishing to remain on the waiting list will be dealt with according to the criteria listed in Admission to Saintfield High School other than at the Customary Transfer Stage.

To me, Saintfield High School is a part of who I am. The first time I walked through the gates of this wonderful school was Open Evening, way back in January 2020. When I try to think about it now, it seems like a blur in my mind. One thing, however, that I will always remember is my Mum asking me a vital question, “Well, Poppy? What did you think about Saintfield High School?”

I have to say, I remember being very impressed from my very first visit. From what I saw on the Open Evening, the school offered a large variety of subjects and opportunities. The older pupils had plenty to say, and the staff were friendly, warm and open. The whole school was filled with a happy, welcoming atmosphere.

A few months later, when I stepped into Saintfield High School as a Year 8 pupil, I felt extremely nervous and very small compared to the giants in the years above me. It was strange to move from being the oldest one in primary school to suddenly become the youngest in post-primary school. To be perfectly honest, it made me feel intimidated and even a little anxious. Despite this, I quickly discovered that I had nothing to worry about. I made lots of friends in that first month, and I am still friends with those people today. My teachers and classroom assistants did a wonderful job of supporting me, and I can honestly say I loved Saintfield High School right from day one.

Throughout my years here, I have always felt supported and encouraged. The staff are always there to help me in class when I am stuck or troubled. School life isn’t always easy, but I feel comforted by the fact that the staff here always have our best interests at heart.

I am nearing the end of my time at this tremendous school, and I am more than a little sad at the prospect of leaving. I am extremely honoured to be the school’s Head Girl for 2024/25. I am certain that I would never have gotten this far without the help of all the staff in Saintfield High School. When I compare where I am now to the frightened and anxious little girl who started school back in September 2020, I can barely believe how far I have come.

I wholeheartedly believe that no other school in Northern Ireland can compete with Saintfield High School and their unmatched levels of pastoral care.

If any of you were to ask me, ‘What does Saintfield High School mean to you?’, I would simply reply with the single word, ‘family’. This school isn’t just a place of learning.......it’s a home. A home where everyone is welcome. A home where everyone respects and cares for each other. A home where new bonds and connections can be made. This is my last year in Saintfield High School, but I hope that it is your first. I want to urge you to grab the chance with both hands and become a member of this wonderful family.

Poppy McConnell

Head Girl

I can hardly believe that I am in my final few months at Saintfield High School! Soon, I will walk out of these gates for the very last time. It feels like only yesterday that I came to visit Saintfield High School for the first time, back when I was in Primary 7. I remember feeling overwhelmed, initially. The thought of leaving my small and safe primary school in the heart of the countryside, to go to a much larger school with older children and a huge variety of teachers, all of whom were complete strangers, was a little nerve-wracking, but also very exciting!

From the minute I entered Saintfield High School, I knew that this was the place that I wanted to be. I knew that I was welcome here. I knew that this was where I wanted to spend the next five years of my life. When I started Saintfield High School, I knew a few children also transferring from my primary school, which made things a little easier. I was also in the lucky position that my brother was transferring to the school at the same time as me. Despite this, I will admit to a few nerves before that first day. However, I quickly learned that Saintfield High School was a welcoming and happy place, and in no time at all it felt like home.

The teachers and staff at Saintfield High School are all so welcoming, supportive and helpful, and I have been afforded patience, empathy, encouragement and an education that has been second to none. My school has moulded and shaped me into the young man that I am today, and I am a better version of myself, academically, emotionally and socially, all thanks to the wonderful support I have received here.

School is the place where children spend most of their time. It’s the place they make their first friends, the place they learn about the world around them, and somewhere they can discover their talents. It is incredibly important that you make the right choice, and I can guarantee that if you choose Saintfield High School, you too will see it as much more than just an academical institution. It will become a place that you can truly be yourself, a place that you will be encouraged to achieve the best grades, a place where you will be supported to push yourself to the limit, a place that, like me, you won’t want to leave.

In my time here, I have been lucky enough to represent the school at sports such as football and athletics. I have also played guitar in the school talent show, and performed at school services and concerts. I know too that my classmates and friends have really valued their experiences in Drama, Cookery Club and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Whatever you are interested in outside of the classroom, Saintfield High School will have something for you.

From the day I started Saintfield High School I have been blessed with fantastic teachers who have educated me with conviction, guided me with compassion, and treated me with kindness. As I continue studying for my GCSEs this year, I can honestly say that I feel confident and fully equipped to sit my examinations.

It has been an honour to be part of this school community for the last 4 years and I am incredibly proud to be a pupil here. To be appointed the position of Head Boy in my final year really has been the culmination of my incredible journey and it has been such a privilege to be a member of this school.

As I venture to pastures new next year, I will take with me so many wonderful memories, and so many friendships, that I’m sure will last a lifetime. I hope you will follow in my footsteps and choose to come to Saintfield High School. I know you won’t regret it.

Jude Cunningham

Head Boy

What do you love about Saintfield High School?

I like the way there
are lots of after-school
activities, such as football
and rugby. I also enjoy moving
between classes as this gives
me exercise! At Saintfield High
School, we enjoy a large variety of
subjects and I enjoy, in particular,
Science experiments.

Logan Hammersley

8TG

When I first arrived at
Saintfield High School, I was
so scared that the work would be
too hard for me. It really isn’t, though,
all you have to do is ask for help. I enjoy
being part of the Eco Club because I love
saving the environment. Our school is very
clean and this is thanks to our lovely cleaning
staff. I have a great Form Class and we really
like our Form Tutor, Miss Bicker. Other staff
are lovely too, especially the Vice Principal,
Mrs Derby and the Principal, Miss Hynds.
I have made so many friends, and so
will you!

Eva O’Connor

8BK

I love it here, especially
because of all the new subjects
like Geography and Technology
and Design. I like that we have
different teachers for each
subject and every day is like an
adventure!

Chloe Johnston

8TG

I would really recommend
Saintfield High School to you.
There are so many after- school
clubs, such as football, rugby, Eco
club, and many more! If you get
lost, there is always someone to
help you find your way.

Dylan Hamilton

8BK

My favourite subject since
starting Saintfield High School
is PE. It’s so much fun! I find the
experiments we do in Science are
really interesting too.

Emmie Crosby

8HU

You can be sure of a wide
range of subjects at Saintfield
High School, ones that we
didn’t have in Primary School. For
example, Home Economics, Science
and Learning for Life and Work. I
have made so many friends since I
started here and I am glad that I
chose to come.

Matthew Smith

8TG

I really enjoy the after-school
clubs in Saintfield High School.
My favourite is Cookery Club,
which meets every Wednesday.
We have already made shortbread
and gingerbread mummies for
Hallowe’en!

Eloise Steenson

8HU

When I started at
Saintfield High School, I
was nervous because I didn’t
know anyone. The school looked
enormous! Our Year 8 Induction
Days were great fun, and we got
to know each other. This really put
me at ease. Since I started Year 8,
I have made friends and I am
having so much fun.

Poppy Magowan

8HU

Admissions