Think-tank to analyse 11-plus options set up

A think-tank to review what steps should be taken in the next era of post-primary education in Northern Ireland has been established.

The news was unveiled today at a conference by NIO minister responsible for education Jane Kennedy.

The small working group, which will be made up of representatives from education interests and the Churches, will examine ways to replace the current selection system and report back with their recommendations in October this year.

Abolishing the controversial 11-plus transfer test has already been recommended by Gerry Burns who chaired a review of post-primary education set up by former Stormont Education Minister Martin McGuinness in October 2001. Instead of academic selection, the Burns Report proposed that pupil profiles be used to help parents choose a school for their child, and schools be clustered in collegiates.

This alternative way forward has since gathered proponents and opponents.

Speaking today the Minister said: “This is an important and complex education issue and I believe that those who have experience of managing and administering the system are best placed to build on the progress that has been made and develop future arrangements that will enable all children in Northern Ireland to achieve their full potential.”

The review group will comprise of the Chair, Steve Costello and members drawn from the Education and Library Boards, Council for Catholic Maintained Schools, Governing Bodies Association of Voluntary Grammar Schools, the Trustees of Catholic Voluntary schools, the Transferor Representative’s Council (representing the 3 main Protestant churches), the integrated sector, Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment and the further education sector.

The Minister also confirmed that pupils currently in P5 and P6 will sit the Transfer Tests.

“We will want to consider the recommendations from the Working Group before making any longer-term decisions, but for children currently in P4, parents and teachers can be reassured that they will be advised in good time of the arrangements that will apply.”

Ulster Unionist assembly education spokesman Danny Kennedy has welcomed the news, but added he had been calling for such a review body to be established for quite some time.

“This is something we told the Minister she should consider when we met her in January. It is a pity that it has taken so long to move on the initiative.

“However, we welcome this development. There appears to be a growing realisation at last that the Minister is accepting that academic selection will have to play a meaningful and important role in any new transfer arrangement.”

(AMcE)