Northern Ireland

Two Enniskillen grammar schools drop transfer test for 2021

St Michael's College, Enniskillen
St Michael's College, Enniskillen St Michael's College, Enniskillen

TWO Catholic grammar schools in Enniskillen have become the latest to axe transfer tests in selecting pupils for 2021 amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Mount Lourdes Grammar and St Michael's College said there had been "significant disruption" in the education of pupils, including those in P6.

Both schools normally admit pupils using results from the GL test, run by the Post-Primary Transfer Consortium (PPTC).

In a joint statement, the schools said: "The boards of governors and principals of Mount Lourdes Grammar School and St Michael's College have agreed, in light of the current circumstances, and for one year only, that neither school will use outcomes from the GL entrance assessment as part of their admissions criteria for the academic year 2021-22."

The statement, reported last night by the BBC, continued: "Pupils applying to these schools will not be required to provide a GL entrance assessment result.

"Mount Lourdes and St Michael's will temporarily amend their admissions criteria for the 2021-22 academic year accordingly.

"Both schools remain committed to Catholic Ethos with a focus on pastoral care and high quality learning and teaching. Those who would normally apply to be admitted to each individual school are encouraged to continue to do so."

Five Catholic grammars in Co Down had already said they would not use the PPTC test this year.

Lagan College, an integrated school, has also said it will not use transfer tests for one year.

Around 20 other Catholic grammars which use PPTC transfer tests have yet to announce any change to their admissions procedures.

About 30 other grammar schools in Northern Ireland use the transfer test set by AQE.