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Work on single entrance exam for grammars may start soon
Wednesday, 9 September 2009
enlargeCaitriona Ruane has been accused of creating “a constitutional outrage” by attempting to enforce a radical policy change which could not command cross-community support in either the Executive or Assembly.
Sir Kenneth Bloomfield, chairman of the Association for Quality Education (AQE), said he hoped work could begin on a common entrance test for all grammar schools in Northern Ireland after the first exams this autumn.
The former head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service said that his group — which represents 34 schools setting entrance exams — had never argued that the existing education system is perfect.
“In its origins, the Association for Quality Education was a loose confederation of school governors, head teachers, former pupils and parents determined to defend one of the strongest elements of our education system, our network of grammar schools across the province,” he said.
“It has never been our argument that quality education is to be found only in those schools.
“Many other post-primary schools, whether controlled, maintained or integrated, have contributed to our exceptional record in securing entry for our sons and daughters, many from less-privileged backgrounds, into tertiary education. Nor has it ever been our argument that our existing education system is perfect. Too many children, regardless of methods of post-primary selection, reach the age of 11 or thereabouts without mastering basic skills of literacy and numeracy.
“In the wider community, too many have failed to acknowledge adequately society’s need for vocational and technical as well as academic skills, or to offer parity of esteem to those who manifest such skills and those who nurture them.”
Sir Kenneth said that at the eleventh hour, and in a transparent effort to facilitate a new devolution agreement, government decided to leave the issue of post-primary selection to a devolved Assembly if one were to emerge.
“In the absence of political agreement there was a vacuum to be filled, and as a consequence we now have, for the coming year at least, two parallel testing systems for entry into grammar schools.
“It was never our wish or intention within the AQE that there should be this duplication. All grammar schools, regardless of ethos or affiliation, have been welcome to join us.”
He said that applications to their tests substantially exceed the number of places available at AQE schools. And he added that member schools will consider applications in the context of their published admissions criteria.
He continued: “It is well known that the minister has issued ‘guidance’ on the criteria she would wish to see, specifically excluding any use of academic criteria.
“Schools will want to pay due regard to the ministerial guidance, but at the end of the day it does not have the force of law.
“It would to my mind be unthinkable, and a constitutional outrage, if an individual minister should attempt to enforce a radical policy change which could not command cross-community support in either Executive or Assembly, as required under the St Andrew’s Agreement.”
He concluded: “Finally, I wish to emphasise that the arrangements for the current year do not represent the boundaries of our thinking. We, and no doubt others, will wish to give serious consideration to other and more advanced methods of assessing capability, progress and performance, drawing on modern technology.”
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Ah! Removal of choice. The diktat operated by Ruane and supported by legions of state funded ideologues. Who would have thought that Bloomfield and Ruane would end up battling against parents in the struggle for the right to have their children educated in schools of their choosing? Bloomfield has failed before in his quest for a common entrance test;it resulted in the creation of the GL Assessment for the Catholic schools. The state had a regulated single test, the 11-plus, but Ruane took that away, promised a replacement, took that away and gave the initiative to Bloomfield and co to create a private profit making system. Most parents know that Bloomfield no more represents what a grammar schoolstands for than Inst is typical of other grammar schools. The former head of the Civil Service should have stopped meddling on behalf of his chums long ago. Soon the legal actions will begin. Parents may then wonder where the monies donated to AQE will be spent.
Posted by Parental Alliance for Choice in Education | 11.09.09, 21:47 GMT
Realist, they may not have a choice...........
Posted by Exasperated | 11.09.09, 15:15 GMT
The Arguement below depends on all the current Catholic
Grammer schools stopping Academic Selection in a couple
of years time.
From someone who is involved in Secondary Schooling,
They Won't ! - Fact !
Posted by Realist | 11.09.09, 14:02 GMT
Exasperated | 11.09.09, 08:48
In such a scenario the Department of Education would be very much pressed to bow to the wishes of the people.The Dept., are not demi-gods, I hope. They would have to bite the bullet and 'uncap' their enrolment numbers. (I presume these numbers are not fixed for eternity by some sort of great and mighty Det. of Education god or goddess, whose mind can't be changed?)
There are already substantial numbers, (based on ability), of Catholic children in some of State Grammar schools. I have not heard any complaint from any Unionist Politician.
I would never ever seek to challenge your right or anyone else's right, to agree with the leadership provided by the Catholic Church or any other Church.
I repeat let's hear the views of some Catholic P6 or P7 parents and Catholic Grammar teachers?
Anyone out there?
Posted by T J McClean | 11.09.09, 13:38 GMT
State grammar schools (as are all schools) are capped by their enrolment number; this is decided upon by the Department of Education, I seriously doubt that any school will be allowed to 'balloon' its numbers at a time of demographic decline.
Thus your scenario, TJ, (with an increase of Catholic applicants following the Catholic Grammars implementing the policy to remove academic selection) would inevitably lead to the exclusion of Protestant children from State Grammar schools 'cos there aint no room for them.
If your world view comes about, lets see how Unionist Politicians will respond to their middle class voters who cannot 'get in' to their local school 'cos it has substantially more Catholic children!
And just where do you think these disappointed children will go?
You can beg to differ with me on many issues but not my right to agree with the leadership provided by the Church!
Posted by Exasperated | 11.09.09, 08:48 GMT
Exasperated | 10.09.09, 11:25
I didn't say that all Catholic parents would take this tough decision to move their children towards State Grammars but I am suggesting a good number will consider it.
(I see no reason why State Grammars would not survive, given their determination to resist the Ministers' plans and given the public support they command evidenced by surveys and comments made on air, radio, tv, newspaper blogs and letters.)
In answer to point 1, surely we will just see bigger State Grammar schools that will accommodate both Protestant and Catholic children. I myself went to one such mixed Grammar many years ago and we all got on well. Unionist parties did not cause anyone grief as you suggest. The local priest however was not best pleased!
'Oh by the way as a Grammar school teacher both I and many colleagues support our Bishop's decision..'
I beg to differ with you on your last point. Let's hear from some other Catholic parents and Catholic Grammar teachers?
Posted by TJ McClean | 10.09.09, 17:26 GMT
OK TJ, think through your scenario...
According to your prediction Catholic parents will opt to send their children to State Grammar schools (IF they still exist). Since Catholic schools are outperforming state schools in tests its not unreasonable to suppose that Catholic children will continue to do better in any sort of test designed by AQE. Therefore MORE Catholic children would (in your world) go to state Grammars.
If you are correct it makes me wonder
1. Where will all the 'nice' middle class Protestant children displaced by this influx of Catholic children go?
2. How long will the Unionist Parties constituency take to spot that they have "saved academic selection" alright but just for the Catholic Children enrolled in State schools?
Oh by the way as a grammar school teacher both I and many colleagues support our Bishop's decision to remove academic selection as a criterion: it is not necessary--look at enrolments!
Posted by Exasperated | 10.09.09, 11:25 GMT
Exasperated 09.09.09, 09:36,
'Catholic Grammars have agreed to remove academic selection, phasing out academic selection by 2013.'
If the Catholic Grammars are so set against academic selection, why don't they get rid of it in 2010, or 2011 or 2012! Why the delay in getting rid of this, so called, unfair system? Why, 'punish', further children with it?
I was also wondering what will happen if the Catholic Grammars actually do honour their pledge and get rid of academic selection. I reckon if they do, there will be a mass revolt amongst Catholic parents of potential Yr 8 children, who will send their youngsters towards the state Grammars. This would bring about a huge loss of income to these Catholic Gr. schools and the children involved would miss out on an all important Catholic education!
Not the best idea for these schools or the future life of the Church, I would have thought! Catholic Grammar teachers I have spoken to do not want to see acad. testing abandoned.
Posted by T J McClean | 10.09.09, 08:18 GMT
Fact...academic selection remains.............
The minister can spin as many statistics as she wants, they fool no one. Only a fool would try to impose her brand of education without first fixing or funding the schools that are at present underperforming.
If she is so against academic selection why does she not ban the streaming tests which all children in the non selective schools do in the first week of term. Is this not academic selection?????????
The minister is not fit for purpose, shame on her for causing this disgraceful debacle. If she had any decency at all she would resign and let a real politician run the department.
Fact Academic selection remains, no spin just fact.
Posted by GJ | 09.09.09, 21:32 GMT
The AQE test costs £35. However, the GL tests are free, which begs the question, who is footing the bill for the GL tests?
Are these being prepared, tested and marked by the Catholic Grammar schools? If so, surely the money for this is coming from the funding allocated by the Department of Education (and from my taxes, even though I have to pay £35 for my child to sit the AQE test).
Imagine that, Ruane funding post-primary academic transfer tests!
The time for this minister to resign is long overdue.
Posted by Jeff | 09.09.09, 10:35 GMT
It is hardly worthwhile Sir Ken; Catholic Grammars have agreed to remove academic selection as an entrance criteria, they are producing action plans to demonstrate how they are complying with their Church's policy of 'phasing out academic selection by 2013'.
In addition, given AQE anticipated busy schedule defending the veracity, objectivity, and rigour of their un-trialled test in the High Court, you may not have time to make cosy plans with you grammar pals.
Posted by Exasperated | 09.09.09, 09:36 GMT
Too late for this generation of P7 kids!!! Let down by all in Stormont, in particular the Minister, inequality in the quality of post primary schools (the reality is some ARE better than others and that is across the grammars and secondary), let down by AQE and Post Primary Consortium. Too late for this year - 10 and 11 year olds are victims in this political football. Make changes when the schools are all equal in the quality of education that they provide. And especially don't discriminate against children because their parents go out and do a day's work. This mess is a legacy of lack of consultation, holding on to ideologies and jumping in years too early - there isn't a level playing field in the quality of post primary provision - fix this then, look at the transfer issue.Shame on all involved.
Posted by A low paid working heartbroken P7 mother | 09.09.09, 08:46 GMT