Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Saturday 19°CSunday 17°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
CoronavirusDerry CityEducationNews

Coronavirus: Transfer tests may be postponed until next January

written by John August 21, 2020
ShareTweet

TRANSFER tests from primary schools to secondary/grammar schools for this year may be postponed until January 2021.

It is understood the Education Minister Peter Weir is considering a delay due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The exams were to be held two weeks later than usual this year as a result of the disruption caused by the closure of schools in March.

They are normally taken by pupils on five consecutive Saturdays beginning in early November.

However, the first test this year is not due to be held until Saturday 21 November.

Some parents of pupils had expressed concerns that with schools closed due to the coronavirus pandemic their children would not receive adequate preparation for the tests.

The parents of two children in the North of Ireland had won High Court permission to challenge the decision to delay the exams by two weeks.

However, before the case has been heard in court, the Department of Education confirmed the Education Minister Peter Weir intended to “reach a final view on the issue in the near future”.

“In light of the school closures, the minister would like to be able to provide children facing the transfer test with more classroom time, if it is possible and practicable to do so,” a spokesperson said.

“This issue is complex and is currently the subject of a judicial review challenge.

“Substantial work has taken place between the test providers, the EA (Education Authority) and the department on the matter and remains ongoing.”

Most grammar schools in the North of Ireland have been using tests by AQE (Association of Quality Education) and PPTC (Post Primary Transfer Consortium) to select pupils since 2008.

That was when the 11-plus exam, run by the Department of Education, was scrapped.

In May, AQE said it had originally intended to postpone its tests until January 2021, but this was not possible due to the Department of Education’s timescale for the wider process enabling all pupils to transfer to post-primary schools.

Schools across the North have been empty since lockdown in March

The Education Minister Peter Weir later told the Education Committee that if the tests were held in January that would have consequences for the entire post-primary transfer process.

“The problem is that if you’re to do – for example – examinations in January, you wouldn’t then be producing results, we’ve been told by AQE, until the middle of March,” Mr Weir said.

The judicial review case in the High Court has been re-listed for Wednesday, September 2.

Schools will start to return from this Monday, August, 24 after they went into lockown in March over the Coroanvirus panemic.

Coronavirus: Transfer tests may be postponed until next January was last modified: August 21st, 2020 by John

Tags:
AQECoronavirus: Transfer tests may be postponed until next JanuaryDEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONEducation Ministergrammar schoolsjudicial reviewPETER WEIRpost primary transfer tests
ShareTweet
John

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Durkan: Western Trust autism services at breaking...

11 hours ago

Second protest in Derry this weekend over...

17 hours ago

Elaborate hoax at centre of Derry security...

1 day ago

McLaughlin welcomes move to allow media to...

1 day ago

Derry sewer works delayed to avoid Foyle...

2 days ago

Autism friendly banking at AIB Derry

3 days ago

Limited parking at Council facilities during Foyle...

3 days ago

Labour Market training on machinery

3 days ago

Eastwood challenges Prime Minister: No killer can...

3 days ago

Feile 2025 unveil biggest programme of events

3 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • McLaughlin welcomes move to allow media to cover family courts

    July 17, 2025
  • Woman charged over serious assault in Derry

    July 13, 2025
  • Man to face Derry court over cannabis plants seizure

    July 11, 2025
  • Man charged to court over Derry drugs seizure

    July 6, 2025
  • Drink-driver charged to court over Derry collision

    July 5, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy