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02/02/2009
Ruane Plan For Poorer Children To Access Grammar Schools
Children entitled to free school meals are to make up at least 20% of all those being admitted to grammar schools.
The news comes as Northern Ireland Education Minister Caitríona Ruane has issued guidelines on the transfer of pupils from primary schools from 2010.
Last week, she failed to get the Stormont Executive to approve a phasing out of academic selection.
Her new guidelines - including a "first criterion" that requires schools to admit a fifth of all entrants from such poorer groups also means they should not use academic selection.
Speaking in the Assembly today she then listed other criteria which oversubscribed schools should use to choose pupils.
However, while she said she has "a duty to act and let parents, children and teachers know how Transfer 2010 will operate" it is understood the guidelines are advisory rather than legally enforceable.
That means schools must take the guidelines into account but they are free to decide not to use them.
Despite this, Ms Ruane told the Assembly: "The time to act has arrived abd wants schools, as a top priority, to select a proportion of pupils who are entitled to free school meals.
The list of criteria is then similar to that already being used by secondary and primary schools namely attendance at a feeder primary school, living in the parish or in a catchment area, being the eldest child or having a brother or sister at the school.
The Minister said she would also now withdraw orders that the exams body should produce a new test for selection.
She said she hoped grammar schools would choose to stop academic selection.
However, to add to the continuing confusion, many grammar schools have said they will run their own admission tests.
See: 'Decisive' 11-plus Move Promised At Stormont
The news comes as Northern Ireland Education Minister Caitríona Ruane has issued guidelines on the transfer of pupils from primary schools from 2010.
Last week, she failed to get the Stormont Executive to approve a phasing out of academic selection.
Her new guidelines - including a "first criterion" that requires schools to admit a fifth of all entrants from such poorer groups also means they should not use academic selection.
Speaking in the Assembly today she then listed other criteria which oversubscribed schools should use to choose pupils.
However, while she said she has "a duty to act and let parents, children and teachers know how Transfer 2010 will operate" it is understood the guidelines are advisory rather than legally enforceable.
That means schools must take the guidelines into account but they are free to decide not to use them.
Despite this, Ms Ruane told the Assembly: "The time to act has arrived abd wants schools, as a top priority, to select a proportion of pupils who are entitled to free school meals.
The list of criteria is then similar to that already being used by secondary and primary schools namely attendance at a feeder primary school, living in the parish or in a catchment area, being the eldest child or having a brother or sister at the school.
The Minister said she would also now withdraw orders that the exams body should produce a new test for selection.
She said she hoped grammar schools would choose to stop academic selection.
However, to add to the continuing confusion, many grammar schools have said they will run their own admission tests.
See: 'Decisive' 11-plus Move Promised At Stormont
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
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17 April 2002
Catholic Bishops declare opposition to academic selection
The Stormont Education Minister Martin McGuinness has welcomed the Northern Catholic Bishops’ statement on the future process of academic selection. The Northern Bishops said in a statement on Tuesday April 16 that they wanted to “maintain and enhance quality but not promote elitism”.
Catholic Bishops declare opposition to academic selection
The Stormont Education Minister Martin McGuinness has welcomed the Northern Catholic Bishops’ statement on the future process of academic selection. The Northern Bishops said in a statement on Tuesday April 16 that they wanted to “maintain and enhance quality but not promote elitism”.
19 January 2016
Two Grammar Schools In Omagh To End Academic Selection
Two grammar schools in Omagh have announced plans to end academic selection. Omagh CBS and Loretto Grammar School will end the selection next year. Sinn Féin MLA Chris Hazzard has welcomed news. He said: "Both schools have proposed to end controversial entrance exams for year 8 pupils from September 2017.
Two Grammar Schools In Omagh To End Academic Selection
Two grammar schools in Omagh have announced plans to end academic selection. Omagh CBS and Loretto Grammar School will end the selection next year. Sinn Féin MLA Chris Hazzard has welcomed news. He said: "Both schools have proposed to end controversial entrance exams for year 8 pupils from September 2017.
24 September 2008
Ruane Legal Threat Contention
A threat to grammar schools planning to set their own transfer entrance exam has been slammed as a "declaration of war". Ulster Unionist Education Spokesman Basil McCrea said yesterday that NI Education Minister Caitriona Ruane was "declaring war" on schools across Northern Ireland.
Ruane Legal Threat Contention
A threat to grammar schools planning to set their own transfer entrance exam has been slammed as a "declaration of war". Ulster Unionist Education Spokesman Basil McCrea said yesterday that NI Education Minister Caitriona Ruane was "declaring war" on schools across Northern Ireland.
23 June 2008
Most NI People Opposed To Scrapping 11+
Some 60% of people in Northern Ireland - including one-third of Sinn Fein supporters - are opposed to Caitriona Ruane's plans to scrap the 11-plus, according to a new survey.
Most NI People Opposed To Scrapping 11+
Some 60% of people in Northern Ireland - including one-third of Sinn Fein supporters - are opposed to Caitriona Ruane's plans to scrap the 11-plus, according to a new survey.
04 December 2007
Challenge Issued On Post Primary Selection
An educational lobby group dedicated to retaining academic selection has directly challenged Education Minister Caitriona Ruane by devising an alternative transfer test. The test is likely to be used by up to 20 Ulster grammar schools as a means of selection for over-subscribed schools.
Challenge Issued On Post Primary Selection
An educational lobby group dedicated to retaining academic selection has directly challenged Education Minister Caitriona Ruane by devising an alternative transfer test. The test is likely to be used by up to 20 Ulster grammar schools as a means of selection for over-subscribed schools.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
