Weekly meetings will take place at Stormont in an attempt to reach political consensus on a new school transfer system.

Inspired by the strong reader reaction to the Belfast Telegraph’s Sit Down, Sort It Out campaign, the DUP, SDLP, Alliance Party and Ulster Unionist Party all took part in ‘preparatory talks’ at Parliament Buildings yesterday. Sinn Fein boycotted the talks.

Our petition, which has been backed by thousands, is calling for focused Executive talks in a bid to find an agreed way forward. We are also demanding that the situation is resolved in time for this year's P6s to transfer between schools in 2011.

Education Minister Caitriona Ruane has issued admissions criteria guidance for schools, but 68 schools are defying her advice and have instead established their own entrance exams for P7 pupils this year. More than 13,700 registrations have been received for the two grammar testing systems with some pupils due to sit five exam papers on Saturdays during November and December.

The joint statement issued by the four parties following yesterday's closed meeting said: “These preparatory talks have been very productive. A framework has been established for talks in the weeks ahead and the difficult process of building consensus on this unfortunately contentious issue has begun.

“From today's discussion it is clear that there are significant areas of agreement between the parties present.

“We all share the concerns of parents, teachers and children, and are determined to find a resolution. We intend to meet on a regular basis to explore further common ground.”

Trevor Lunn, Alliance education spokesman, said: “We are disappointed that Sinn Fein did not participate but they are welcome to join the talks any time. Perhaps for now, the rest of us will have to build consensus.”

The parties say they hope to agree on a possible solution to the current stalemate, which has led to an unregulated transfer process this year, and will present this to Sinn Fein.

But Sinn Fein's education spokesman John O'Dowd said: “The 11-plus lobby need to understand their days of having an unhealthy influence in the corridors of power is over and done with, the 11-plus is gone and their era is over.

“What the meeting represents is a publicity stunt and an attempt by some of these parties to lever some amount of credibility on their failed positions on academic selection.”