'Similar' demand for tests as last 11-plus
THE number of children who applied to do selection tests for grammar schools this year is expected to be "similar" to the number who sat the last year of the 11-plus, according to a leading principal.
Two groupings of grammar schools have defied Education Minister Caitriona Ruane's plans to end all forms of academic selection by setting their own tests.
The Association for Quality Education (AQE) said yesterday that they have had applications for 7,023 children to sit their test.
Ronnie Hassard, chairman of the second group, the Post Primary Transfer Consortium (PPTC), said he expected the total applications for both groups to be similar to that of the last sitting of the 11-plus last November, which involved almost 15,400 pupils.
Speaking of the popularity of the two unofficial academic tests, which do not have Departmental approval, Mr Hassard, principal of Ballymena Academy, said: "It may well be we will have similar numbers overall this year, perhaps fewer, but not a big difference."
The deadline to apply for this year's unofficial tests with both associations was Friday and the PPTC, which includes all 28 Catholic grammars and some non-denominational schools, is still counting the final number of applications it has received.
William Young, chief executive of the AQE, said: "We have had 7,023 applications for only 4,650 places in 34 non-catholic grammar schools," he said.
"We are very pleased, delighted actually."
The number of children who sat the last official transfer procedure in November 2008 was 15,378, out of a possible 22,970.
Both Mr Hassard and Mr Young said they did not have any reason to think there is realistic hope of a resolution in the stand-off between Minister Ruane and the grammar schools.
The minister has said she wants a system where all children enjoy access to "an equal range of high quality choices" especially at age 14, though without any form of academic selection.
Both men said that there were ongoing discussions aiming to merge the two associations and have a single unofficial entrance test by next year.
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