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P6 parents should get behind the Belfast Telegraph's transfer campaign

By Lisa Smyth
Wednesday, 2 December 2009

Primary school parent Fiona Meechan from Larne signs the petition

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Parents of primary six children across Northern Ireland have been urged to get behind a Belfast Telegraph campaign demanding political action over the school transfer chaos.

One of the founding members of STOP — Schools Transfer Option for Pupils — said the time has come for parents of primary six pupils to pledge their support to this paper’s Sit Down, Sort it Out campaign.

Members of the pressure group, which was formed in Larne by parents concerned over the demise of the transfer test, are joining the Belfast Telegraph this Saturday — as 7,100 youngsters sit the last of the grammar school entrance examinations — to take the voices of our readers to the people with the power to find a solution to the school transfer stand-off.

A delegation of parents, children, teachers and other members of the public will walk from the front gates at Stormont to the steps of Parliament Buildings at 12.30pm on Saturday to hand over the Sit Down, Sort It Out petition.

Almost 10,000 people have so far signed the petition, which calls on Northern Ireland’s politicians to sit down and sort out the crisis over what should replace the now defunct 11-plus.

Frances Hamill, a founding member of STOP, said: “My son is 10 and is sitting the entrance exams at the moment and I don’t want any more children going through the same pressure.

“It’s very stressful.

“We’re finding that parents of primary six children at the moment aren’t so worried about the current situation but I want to warn them that their time is going to come around very quickly and I want as many people as possible to support the Belfast Telegraph petition.”

Philomena Lennon from Larne, who has added her signature to the petition, said she is disappointed by the lack of political consensus on the issue.

“I think Caitriona Ruane is ridiculous getting rid of the 11-plus without a proper replacement,” she said.

“The children are being used as pawns. I don’t think the politicians are thinking about the children.”

And as he signed the petition, Michael O’Toole, also from Larne, said: “I have grandchildren who will be in primary seven in a couple of years and no-one seems to know what is going on. It needs to be sorted out urgently.”

To sign online, log on to www. belfasttelegraph.co.uk/petition

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Exasperated | 09.12.09, 11:06 GMT
Your confusion extends well beyond any understanding of the difference between literacy and typography. What is the AQE except a loose organisation of teachers and principals who saw a business opportunity when academic selection at 11 by testing was deregulated. They are led by the former head of the N.I. Civil Service who also happens to be Chair of Governors at Inst, Governing Bodies Association member, Integrated Education Fund patron and this morning spokesperson on the preparatory department funding issue.
AQE do not represent parental views any more than the Catholic hierarchy represent the views of Catholics wanting to seek places in a grammar schools. The evidence from recent tests participation speaks for itself.
As to your assertion on the success of Catholic grammars it would be best not to rely upon league tables provided by media outlets which are anti-selection. The DENI do not support those claims and warn against such comparisons

Posted by Parental Alliance for Choice in Education | 15.12.09, 09:40 GMT

PACE Stevie, I can't resist (OK it was probably a typo but what the heck!) perhaps you could ask for some of the money to help improve your literacy, I believe it is 'grammar' not 'gramar'!

I am confused at you position which seems to change; you have in the past regularly attacked the unregulated system, AQE and Sir Ken: Now you are crowing about winning the 'war' (interesting use of words).
The debate is most defiantly not over, the most successful ‘grammar’ (please note the spelling Steve) schools, you know those in the Catholic Managed Sector, are committed to phasing academic selection out.
This will leave, at best, a few bastions of the old ‘Ascendancy’ isolated.

Yes interesting times lie ahead for education in Northern Ireland!

Posted by Exasperated | 09.12.09, 11:06 GMT

Exasperated PACE suggest that you review the legislation governing education in Northern Ireland. Your posts are becoming ever more frequently ridiculous. It may comfort you to know that you have plenty of company particularly among the educationalist fraternity. £40 million spent on Adult Numeracy and Literacy without any valid or recent measurement. Sounds just like the model was used to bring in mandatory Incas use in primary schools. Hasn't it recently failed also?
The chaos in education is over now that the unregulated system has been introduced. The good news is that the DENI have no role to play - just decisions by parents pupils and teachers. Yes, Exasperated, grammar schools will be using academic selection by testing

Posted by Parental Alliance for Choice in Education | 09.12.09, 07:40 GMT

It is now important for parents to understand that the chaos in education over selection has ended. Those who favour academic selection have won the battle and indeed the war. The unregulated system is intact and has set a precedent. There is no need for parents or pupils to have to react to those politicians or educationalists opposed to grammar schools and academic selection.

Now is a time for celebration. The principle of academic selection for gramar schools has been up

Posted by Parental Alliance for Choice in Education | 08.12.09, 23:03 GMT

PACE, come on now Steve you know there is little or no 'Academic Selection' occurring in Northern Ireland now. With a falling school age population your precious grammar schools have been accepting anyone to keep bums on seats.
Pro selectionists moan on and on about the threat to 'comprehensivise' our education system; yet this is precisely what the grammar schools are doing themselves!
If you want an 'elite' cadre of schools stop lambasting those advocating change; focus on these schools that have undermined your position by their own actions!

Posted by Exasperated | 07.12.09, 10:16 GMT

2009 transition parent.
A simple fact for you. The unregulated tests for grammar schools are exactly what they claim to be; unregulated. Your plea about the use of force to end their use, particularly by politicians and the Belfast Telegraph, reveals your lack of understanding on the issue. Save your rhetoric for the school gate and ask yourself a simple question: Do I support academic selection? Everything else will follow from your answer

Posted by Parental Alliance for Choice in Education | 07.12.09, 08:09 GMT

I agree with the position put forward by the Belfast Telegraph and the STOP group. Whether you support a pro selection agenda or anti selection agenda, the current unregulated situation can not be allowed to continue. Anyone who has the interest of our children at heart must force our politicians to sort out this mess and agree on the way forward - whatever that way forward might be.

Posted by 2009 transition parent | 04.12.09, 00:35 GMT

This is a dreatful for parents and children. The 11 plus should never have been scrapped. The outcome of the new exam has not been seen yet wait until the results come out. Law suits all round.

Posted by r withers | 03.12.09, 12:29 GMT

The STOP group from Larne seem to be suffering from a prolonged and pronounced degree of confusion over the principle of academic selection. Frances Hamill admits to entering her child for this year's testing but wants to preclude P6 parents from availing of the same opportunity. Most would call that hypocrisy and some even worse. Philomena Lennon of the same town has different views, rightly criticising the DENI for abolishing the 11-plus without a more valid and reliable replacement. Grandad O'Toole wants it sorted out but fails to say whether he is for or against academic selection at 11. Why would any parent waste their time going to Stormont over such an incoherent campaign? Spending less time on the rhetoric and more on protecting parental rights would serve children better. Who else is capable of looking after their best interests?

Posted by Parental Alliance for Choice in Education | 02.12.09, 19:40 GMT

This ministers actions go to the heart of our education system, the method of government we have in place and its accountabilty. Everybody should be at Stormont calling for her resignation not just P6 parents.

Posted by Mark | 02.12.09, 16:23 GMT