Northern Ireland

Omagh school reduces number of places available for 11-plus pupils

Loreto Grammar School in Omagh
Loreto Grammar School in Omagh Loreto Grammar School in Omagh

AN all girls school is cutting the number of places available for children taking entrance tests.

Loreto Grammar in Omagh said admission in 2022 would be by two routes - one academic and one non-academic.

Half of its 125 Year 8 places will be determined by scores from 11-plus-style tests.

Several other members of the Post Primary Transfer Consortium (PPTC) have ruled out using academic selection for 2022 entry.

Schools are under pressure to cancel assessments due to be taken by children currently in P6, who have faced significant upheaval.

The PPTC will reveal details of this winter's exams today.

A separate group - the Association for Quality Education - has said its schools intend to initiate preparations for proceeding with tests this year.

In a statement, Loreto's governors said the decision on admissions had been reached "to provide equality of opportunity and choice for all pupils".

In 2016, education minister Peter Weir approved a plan for Loreto and Omagh Christian Brothers' Grammar School to phase selection out entirely.