Schools swamped by transfer test applicants

Schools swamped by transfer test applicants

13 September 2017

THE area’s two Catholic grammar schools have been overwhelmed by entries for this year’s transfer test.

Assumption Grammar School and St Patrick’s Grammar School have warned they are struggling to meet unprecedented demand for the test, which will this year be held on Saturday, November 18.

It has been nine years since the regulated 11+ test was abolished in a bid to stop academic selection.

However, most grammar schools continue to be selective, inviting prospective pupils to test mornings each November with the top performers offered a school place.

There has been such a high demand for the unregulated test this year that both St Patrick’s Grammar and Assumption Grammar last week warned they would not accept any further applications, despite it being several weeks before the official closing date for entries.

The news sparked such a reaction from anxious parents that the schools have since reopened the application process, while stressing that some children may have to be catered for in an examination hall rather than a classroom.

Downpatrick mum, Nicola Stranney, was one of the parents initially told her daughter would not be able to sit the test in Ballynahinch.

She said she was so worried by the prospect of sending her child to an alternative test centre outside the area that she decided not to enter her at all.

Nicola said she was relieved when the decision was reversed and said she made sure her daughter’s application was hand delivered the next morning.

“My daughter is happy to go to secondary school but we want to give her the chance to do the transfer test in case she goes to the open night at the Assumption and decides that is where she wants to go,” she said.

“I did not realise places were limited. It is important for children to be able to sit it where they chose, it is already a stressful process without this happening.

“We spent all summer doing transfer papers and it was hard to get her to do them so it was a nightmare to think that was all wasted. If she had to go to Newry, Kilkeel or Belfast to sit the test we would not have bothered.

“We were delighted to hear Assumption Grammar School had found a solution, it was a huge relief.”

Assumption Grammar School principal, Peter Dobbin, and the principal of St Patrick’s Grammar School, Sean Sloan, have confirmed a “surge in applications” this year.

In a joint statement they said they had a limit on the numbers they can accommodate as assessment centres under the arrangements put in place over the past eight years. 

“This year there has been a surge in applications which meant that candidates were directed to their second choice of centre which for most, was either St Patrick’s or Assumption Grammar School,” they said.

“When both local centres filled their quota, both schools agreed to provide additional supervision arrangements to accommodate the extra numbers. All local applicants will be accommodated between the two GL centres.”

South Down Assemblyman, Colin McGrath, said the stress experienced by parents unable to secure a space for their child to sit the entry exam was evidence of an “imperfect system which is badly managed.”

“The original 11+ was scrapped with nothing in its place,” he said. “Schools have responded with an inappropriate system and one which puts children under further pressure.

“The SDLP does not support academic selection at 11. The current situation should not be allowed to continue. 

“The SDLP wants to establish a time-bound commission to explore the future for transfer, involving all relevant interests and to continue the work in seeking progress to identify the better management of the transfer tests.

“Fortunately, these children are now being accommodated locally but I would like to see the day when this type of selection isn’t required, as a fairer system would be in place. 

“A system which nurtures and supports children whatever their academic abilities.”