A Common purpose united the people standing shoulder to shoulder on the steps of Parliament Buildings.

They gave up time on a Saturday afternoon just weeks before Christmas — some coming straight after picking up P7 children from their last paper of new entrance exams — to call for action.

Our Sit Down, Sort it Out campaign does not call for a return to the 11-plus, it is not even demanding that academic selection is maintained in some form.

As Belfast Telegraph editor Mike Gilson explained, it is a simple campaign which calls on our politicians to put aside historical differences and work for the future.

It is up to them to agree on a transfer system which will work and have public and political support. There must be something better than the unregulated process which has caused stress and confusion this year for schools, parents and children across the province.

This chaos should not be allowed to continue into the next academic year and beyond.

Hopefully the personal stories and concerns of the parents who spoke to politicians at Stormont reminded them that at the centre of this long-running row are young children. It is their education at stake.

The presence of representatives from all five of the main political parties to accept the 10,000-strong petition sent out a strong message.

The MLAs know that the voice of thousands of members of the public cannot simply be ignored.

Already four of the parties have been meeting on a weekly basis and it is understood we may hear more about the outcome of these talks next week.

The participants’ “vow of silence” so far — as Trevor Lunn called it — has led to serious concern that it’s been all talk and no action. If this isn’t the case, then tell us.

Sinn Fein has attempted to play down the significance of John O’Dowd attending the petition handover but it is a far cry from his early dismissal of the campaign as a publicity stunt.

On Saturday he stressed his opposition to academic selection and said that schools should simply follow the guidance set by Education Minister — and party colleague — Caitriona Ruane.

He did also acknowledge that “everything is not rosy in the garden” when he was challenged by parents afterwards.

Sinn Fein agreeing to enter into talks with the other parties would be welcomed by families and schools from both sides of the community in Northern Ireland.

Our campaign will not relent until this happens.