Friends of Grammar Schools

MARGARET CANNING    258 words

Publication date: 29 May 2009

Source: Belfast Telegraph Page: 12,13

(c)2009 Independent News & Media (Northern Ireland). All Rights Reserved.

UNIONS representing primary school principals have called on grammars not to set their own tests to pick pupils but to collaborate with them on an agreed method of transfer.

Around 150 out of 850 principals attended a conference in Belfast yesterday organised by five teaching unions.

All of those who spoke out said they opposed academic selection but that a “vacuum” had formed amid deregulation and in the absence of directives from the Department of Education.

Grammars have said they will use either a Common Entrance Assessment (CEA) or papers by GL Assessment to select pupils.

They maintain the numeracy and literacy exams will not undermine the revised curriculum, designed to remove the emphasis on the transfer test and broaden primary education.

Many at yesterday’s unprecedented gathering in the Ramada Hotel said the transfer debate had become a political football – but ultimately called on politicians to support a method of transfer that was child-centred and would promote the revised curriculum.

David Canning, principal of Strabane Primary School, said: “Deregulation is the worst of all worlds for teachers, principals, parents and most of all, children… Teachers and principals should never have become cannon fodder in the political struggle over selection.”

Some said they were under pressure from grammars to coach pupils for the tests and called for sustained opposition from primaries.

The unions said they would seek urgent meetings with Education Minister Caitriona Ruane to express concerns. The group will meet again in September.