General Teaching Council Northern Ireland

Catholic grammar hopefuls to sit test

Belfast Telegraph

Pupils hoping to attend Catholic grammar schools in Northern Ireland will sit tests in English and maths in November, it has been revealed.

A total of 28 schools signed up in Belfast, Londonderry, Omagh and Newry, a Catholic head teachers’ group said. The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) will oversee the test. Many state-run schools have accepted tests run by the Association for Quality Education.

Dermot Mullan from the Catholic Head Teachers’ Association said: “We believe the NFER has a robust system in place. The schools are across Northern Ireland and we are in discussions with other schools.” Some non-Catholic colleges are included.

Education Minister Caitriona Ruane said it was regrettable a minority were trying to block change.

She said: “There is no justification in forcing 10 and 11-year-olds to sit tests to obtain the education to which all children are entitled.”