Assumption confirms school will continue transfer tests

Assumption confirms school will continue transfer tests

10 June 2020

A LOCAL grammar school has confirmed that it will continue to use transfer test selection for next year.

Assumption Grammar School in Ballynahinch said it will admit Year 8 pupils in 2021 based on selection, despite a number of other Co Down grammar schools saying they will suspending entrance exams for one year due to the Covid-19 closure.

Twenty four schools in the Ards Peninsula and North Down last week called on grammar schools to suspend the academic selection process for the intake of new pupils next September.

A spokeswoman for Assumption said: “At present Assumption Grammar School will admit students using GL Assessment for the academic year 2021-22 as normal.”

Meanwhile, Downpatrick’s two grammar schools have not made any announcements about suspension of transfer testing later this year.

Elswhere, the principal of Down High School, Mrs Maud Perry, acknowledged that many parents still wanted their children to set the entrance test.

She said: “Down High School, like many other controlled and voluntary grammars, uses the AQE’s Common Entrance Assessment for admissions into Year 8.

“We are, of course, aware that the disruption to the normal learning environment for P6 pupils due to Covid-19 pandemic is causing anxiety to families. At present, many families have registered for the AQE test, recognising that all young people who will sit the test are experiencing significant disruption to their learning.”

Mr Joe McCann, principal of St Patrick’s Grammar School, stressed that the “welfare of children was at the heart of every decision” the school makes and any possible suspension would need to be discussed by the school’s Board of Governors.

South Down MLA Emma Rogan has also called for the suspension of testing and welcomed the decision to suspend taken by the five Co Down Catholic grammar schools.

They are Abbey Christian Brothers, Our Lady’s, Sacred Heart and St Colman’s — all in Newry — and St Louis’ in Kilkeel.

Four other Catholic grammars — two in Enniskillen and two in Omagh — have also suspended testing, as has Lagan College in Belfast.

Miss Rogan said: “I would urge local schools across South Down to follow this leadership and example by also suspending these unregulated tests.

“Academic selection is wrong, unnecessary and places undue pressure on children. It should be scrapped altogether. Local schools should shift their focus to preparing teachers and pupils for a return to school when it is safe to do so.”

Parents and carers of children starting post-primary education in September received confirmation of their school places last week.

Education Minister Peter Weir said that nearly 1,000 extra places had been created for new Year 8 pupils to meet increased demand.

In addition, almost 24,000 applications were submitted by parents for admission to Year 8, which is 2,158 more than transferred three years ago.

Mr  Weir said: “As in previous years, my department has been involved in detailed preparation for this year’s post-primary transfer process.

“Almost 1,000 additional Year 8 places have been created, resulting in the highest proportion of children placed at this stage of the process in three years, despite rising demographic pressures.

“Over 99% of pupils have been placed already, with almost 88% placed at their first preference school.”

He added: “I want to reassure parents and carers of children who have not been successful in securing a school place during the process that available places remain in schools across Northern Ireland.

“Advice on how to access the list of schools with available places and contact details for the Education Authority helpline are available in the letter they received.”