Photosales
niJobfinder
niCarfinder
Home Delivery
Propertynews
Parents need to examine their bias against all-ability schools
Uel McCrea, chair of the Association of Headteachers in Secondary Schools and principal of Ballyclare Secondary School, argues that the assumption that having a system of all-ability schools would lower academic standards is wrong
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
Everyone agrees that the unregulated system now facing Primary 7 children and parents is intolerable and unacceptable for the future.
The temptation to blame others for this is too easy for all of us.
Politicians and educationalists however, rather than pointing the finger at each other, need to urgently find the will to bring about a better way for children to transfer from primary to post-primary schools.
One which is based on enhancing the educational future for all children, not limiting it depending on premature judgments made on them at 10 or 11.
The difficulty for many parents is while they want the best for their children some still have the outdated notion that means a grammar school at all costs at age 11. They need to be reassured that there are some great all-ability schools which will not require their children sitting a batch of tests in their Primary 7 year.
Throughout the province there are many excellent examples of such schools where pupils excel in public examinations at age 16 and 18. These schools do not see the need to separate children into different types of institutions based on performance at age 10 or 11 in two, three or now five tests.
The assumption that all-ability schools will result in lowering academic standards is, in my experience, wrong and needs to be challenged. Given the changes already largely in place in the curriculum at both primary and post-primary stages in Northern Ireland schools, this new educational landscape requires a different model of transfer than the present unregulated one or the previous 11-plus arrangements.
The development of partnerships between schools and as a direct result access for young people aged 14 to 19 to a wider range of academic and vocational courses in a learning community, is now very much a feature of the post-primary educational provision on offer throughout Northern Ireland.
The emphasis is now more than ever shifted from transfer at age 11 to decision-making at age 14.
This means that children can now benefit from courses at other schools nearby, including grammar and non-grammar.
It is widely accepted that for the foreseeable future children will continue to transfer from primary to post-primary school at age 11, but as in the past and presently thousands of children will do so without the need for them to sit entrance tests at 10 or 11.
Parents as always need to consider carefully the information on and from post-primary schools. They would wish to identify the school which best meets their children’s needs: they will be guided by what they have learned about their children from their time in primary and particularly the contents of the report on their children’s progress at Key Stage 2.
Post-primary schools will also continue to assist parents to make their decisions by offering them the opportunity to gather additional information and advice at open days or evenings. All post-primary schools publish admission criteria well in advance which they will use only if over-subscribed.
In the case of all-ability post-primary schools this will be based on measurable, objective and fair criteria similar to that outlined in the recently published Department of Education Transfer 2010 booklet.
In these schools no results from tests or entrance examinations will be included.
It is important, however, that parents do look carefully at these published criteria and make sure that they enter all relevant information on the official transfer form completed in their children’s primary school.
If we recognise that, while the nature and ethos of the school you go to at age 11 continues to be important, what matters much more than ever before is the combination of courses that best meets your interests, aptitudes and ambitions from age 14 onwards, and we will begin to accept that the decisions made when young people reach the end of Key Stage 3 are, and will remain, much more critical than those made at the end of Key Stage 2.
We will begin also perhaps to feel a lot less anxious about the decisions we have to make when our children are transferring from primary school at age 11.
We can not permit this unregulated situation to continue another year. We must find a consensus on this issue which has the needs and future of our children at its centre and is not based on an outdated view of post-primary education.
Such a way forward will only be found when there is a political and educational will to seek a solution on this issue.
All of us need to do so urgently.
- Text Size
.
Wise words; I totally agree that 14 is a much better age to be making long term goal decisions as a young person, and as a parent of a child in Primary 6, this thought lessens my anxiety about which school to send her to as both our local secondary and grammar school can pave the way for her. Cheers!
Posted by F. Hay | 27.09.09, 19:15 GMT
There is one thing people seem to be forgetting here while comparing the results of grammar schools and secondary schools- of course grammar schools have the better set of results. That is what they are there to do and let's face it they don't have a very hard job when all they have to do is ensure that the top students obtain the top grades (not always the case however!). If, however, all children attended secondary/all-ability schools I'm sure this difference would be negligible. I myself attended an integrated school, obtained 4 A grades, and am now reading maths at the University Of Edinburgh (I didn't do the 11+). So did my sister, who has Down's Syndrome, and she obtained 6 GCSE grades - a true testament to the education received at an all-ability school in my opinion.
Don't be so narrow-minded about education, don't get so bogged down in tradition, change is not a bad thing -nor is not going to a grammar school.
Posted by LW | 27.09.09, 00:58 GMT
Exasperated the similarities between you and the Sinn Fein Ministers of Education are remarkable. You both start things you cannot finish and when confronted on the facts attempt to change the subject. Since you, like the Minister and her DENI officials, brought up concerns over the grades of pupils admitted to grammar schools it is up to you to explain the basis for your concern. We at PACE are familiar with Testing the Test, it seems you merely parrot whatever the latest mantra issued from the Dept.
The majority parental view was expressed back in 2002 in the Household Survey and it hasn't been changed by years of bullying of parents by anti-selection ideologues. PACE represent the majority parental view.
As to your ambition to become chairman of PACE you must first start by applying to join. Remember you would have to reveal your identity in making an application. I imagine we should not hold our breath on meaningful action on your part. Go on then, make my day.
Posted by Parental Alliance for Choice in Education | 24.09.09, 22:56 GMT
PACE states "You may run my friend but you cannot hide. " Once more a priceless comment methinks you were watching too many John Wayne re-runs on TV!
As to CCEA and 11+ grades; I suggest you ask CCEA!
This 'spat' started when I (gently) pointed out how grammar schools had undermined themselves by their admission history.
Grammar schools claim to be exclusive, their actions show they are not. Care to comment on the mess they have made of Transfer 2010?
Oh and by the by, still haven't heard you championing the majority parental view (expressed by us not opting to register for tests)!
Please outline your election procedures; I would like to put myself forward as a candidate for PACE chair, or is it sewn up as a one man show?
Posted by Exasperated | 24.09.09, 13:31 GMT
Children engage or disengage with education as early as 7 years old. This happens top be the same age as many special needs are recognised, if not diagnosed. For a truly fair education system to be in place by the time a child reaches secondary education, each child should be afforded the same opportunity at primary level. Until children can leave primary school motivated and able to learn; any change to the secondary system is futile.
Posted by Carolyn Rhodes | 24.09.09, 13:06 GMT
Still waiting for your reply on CCEA 11-plus grades Exasperated. Surely you and your departmental friends can come up with something or are you, like the Minister, going to ignore the difficult questions? You may run my friend but you cannot hide.
As to your assertions over the vilification of professional academics one named party has refused the opportunity to have his day in court. Perhaps you should ask him why?
Posted by Parental Alliance for Choice in Education | 24.09.09, 09:04 GMT
Exasperated
Your arguments are becoming more and more blinkered and totally clouded by your distane for what you call middle class, elitist. It just proves the point that this matter is not about academic selection but class. I would regard myself as very open minded and open to points of view from all sides. I said before I had no great liking for the 11plus but I am a realist and recognise that selection is the best way forward in the circumstances. To date your arguments for abolishing selection have done nothing to persuade me of it merits. In fact you more or less mirror CR arguments which just alienate others. Take the blinkers off and don't let yourself down by reducing your arguments to name calling. Maybe then you may have a chance of persuading others to your way of thinking. And incase you think I am a middle class snob, I am working class, secondary educated and proud of it.
Posted by GJ | 23.09.09, 21:47 GMT
TJ if the cap fits........
Pro selectionists have not been shy in slinging mud, re-read some of the posts!
Sometimes one just becomes exasperated......
Posted by Exasperated | 23.09.09, 16:14 GMT
Exasperated | 23.09.09, 09:45
I see than we are now reduced to playground name calling, 'Pro-selection elitist snobs', 'dissident grammar schools', 'middle class elitist'.
It's only a wee newspaper blog debate. Our comments for or against will probably make absolutely no difference to those who will make the final decisions.
Posted by T J McClean | 23.09.09, 15:40 GMT
mrs a langston | 23.09.09, 09:29
A bit of an eye-opener from Mrs A Lanston to those who think all ability schools are the complete answer to everything.
Posted by T J McClean | 23.09.09, 15:26 GMT
GL:_ People had to 'opt in' to the household questionnaire and, given the organized campaign by the grammar school old boys & girls network, the result was unsurprising.
Recently we were presented with another 'opt in' opportunity i.e. the crazy testing regime offered by dissident grammar schools.
Now in this 'opt in' choice the majority have decided NOT to support the dissidents.
Pro selectionists cannot have it both ways; proclaiming the minister as anti-democratic (based on the skewed results of the ‘household survey’) on the one hand, yet ignoring the will of the majority, based on non-participation in the dissident tests, on the other!
We have had scare tactics employed, vilification of professional academics, denigration of whole sections of society, and justifications for continuation of the status quo that would make a Southern US White Supremacist supporting slavery blush!
Pro-selection elitist snobs are becoming ever more desperate in defending the indefensible!
Posted by Exasperated | 23.09.09, 09:45 GMT
children in an all ability school are stigmatised by the 'stream' they are in. I should know I attended one and also taught in the ROI. Parents with money, bombard the religous to have their child moved into a stream above their ability only to fail.
Those in the bottom streams are for all intense and purpose ignored, with classes timetabled to fit in with everyone else.
Far better to split and allow the top few to fly and allow those who are mediocre to be top of their tree in a secondary school as from here they can achive far better, whilst those at the bottom can be well catered for and given the support they need to do the basis things like read and write and do basic maths.
The Minister ned to realise that folk do not disagree with academic selection - even in the ROI those who can afford it pay for the best education and for the record most secodary schools for protestatnts are fee paying with a reduced subsidy from the Irish government; so where the equality there .
Posted by mrs a langston | 23.09.09, 09:29 GMT
If the majority of parents did not register for a test, that is their choice. However, it is wrong to deny those who have a different view the right for their children to achieve success through testing.That is their choice. The fact that they maybe a minority should register with the SF minister considering her party calls constantly for minority rights . While I was no great fan of the 11plus I do recognise the need to stream children to the school that suits their ability. The problem is that all schools are not of an equal standard and until that is addressed, parents will do whatever they need to get their children into a school they deem as suitable.Until we get a new minister who can rebuild trust and consenus within both communities this issue will not be resolved. Exasperated, you seem to get hung up on the middle classes. For your info, you do not have to be middle class to attend a grammar but maybe CR should make it as criteria.Its no less ridiculus than free school meals.
Posted by GJ | 22.09.09, 22:54 GMT
The Parental Alliance for Choice in Education should have given Exasperated a clue in the title that parental choice and equality of opportunity are fundamental to their existence.
Perhaps he also requires explanation of the current existing choice for parents who wish to send their children to the local secondary school. If he checks with Uel McCrea, the principal of Ballyclare Secondary the principal will confirm the increased number of applicants from Antrim since their choice for a controlled secondary school has been removed. A sign of things to come. They'll come for Mr McCrea in time.
The Minister, the unions, churches and her supporters plan to remove choice. Parents demand retention of choice for grammar schools.
BTW Exasperated the 64% majority were of 200,551 Households in N.I. not some vox pop.
Posted by Parental Alliance for Choice in Education | 22.09.09, 19:59 GMT
Look at the all-ability schools in England and their performance! Blair pumped them with money for years. His cry was 'Education!' Standards have plummeted since academic selection was removed.
We all know of lots of Gr. schools where pupils excel in public examinations. Perhaps Mr McCrea could name half a dozen all ability examples from the Greater Belfast area that rank up with the Grammars?
'In the case of all-ability post-primary schools this will be based on measurable, objective and fair criteria.'
Free school meals for example Mr McCrea? Fair?- for the family with two poorly paid parents who because they work do not qualify?
'In these schools no results from tests or entrance examinations will be included.'
I take it there will be no tests for streaming of ability once the new entrants walk over the threshold of the all ability schools?
Everyone recognizes our Sec. Schools need help. Work there, to improve standards. Do not destroy the good work of the Grammars.
Posted by T J McClean | 22.09.09, 19:19 GMT
The majority of parents of this years P7 cohort have NOT registered for either the AQE or GL tests.
Its one thing to quote "64% of those who responded" support academic selection and another to see what percentage actually does support it by registering for these crazy tests!
Given this referendum on selection I look forward to PACE's vocal support for the majority of NI parents in wishing to see the demise of academic selection as a criterion for admission to post primary school.
If PACE ignores this majority he is being hypocritical and reveals himself as a middle class elitist!
Posted by Exasperated | 22.09.09, 13:52 GMT
'' The assumption that all-ability schools will result in lowering academic standards is, in my experience, wrong and needs to be challenged.''
Some facts for you Mr Mc Crea:
1 Fee-paying schools in England and Wales with 7% of all A level candidates out -performed all the comprehensives put together in achieving 3 A Grades ( 2008).
2 Grammar schools in N Ireland had better A level and GCSE results than fee-paying schools in N East England( 2009).
3 Our grammar schools are among the best in the U K for results and added value.
4 12000 pupils in secondary schools here are under-achieving annually.
How many are there in your school?
Posted by George | 22.09.09, 13:42 GMT
Mr McCrea does not recognise consensus was enshrined in the St Andrew's Agreement ie. selection for those that want it. The Minister's failure to recognise her obligation to support that choice and the legislation is what's given birth to the unregulated situation. The answer is simple an agreed, modern, fair and regulated test for those schools that want to remain selective. If thats not what parents want they will choose alternative schools.
Posted by Mark | 22.09.09, 13:35 GMT
Whilst the children will not need to sit entrance tests to gain admission to these all ability schools, the first thing these schools do is to stream the children into abilty classes after testing.
Posted by Liz | 22.09.09, 12:36 GMT
Uel McCrea insists "We can not permit this unregulated situation to continue another year.
Parents have signed up in their thousands to have their children sit entrance exams for grammar schools. As has been stated on numerous occasions in the past the only practical solution to this problem is a return to the regulated 11-plus exam. Without a political and educational will to accept this solution the problems will only increase for politicians and educationalists. In the final analysis only parental rights will solve the problem. If others, particularly the likes of Mr. McCrea don't believe in selective education they should keep their noses out, after all, they have a choice for their themselves they should respect the rights of others to choose differently. Mr McCrea should spend more time on his professional duties instead nof acting as a surrogate for Ms. Ruane. Perhaps he should also acknowledge the rights of Ballyclare parents to make a choice for Ballyclare High.
Posted by Parental Alliance for Choice in Education | 22.09.09, 12:29 GMT