This is not a vendetta against grammar schools, it is concern for young pupils

I write in relation to the debacle associated with the transfer procedure 2020/21.

Quite frankly, I am both angry and disgusted at the behaviour of the education minister, Peter Weir, in the whole process.

I understand that there are many valid and rational arguments associated with the issue of academic selection in Northern Ireland.

Indeed, both my children attended an excellent grammar school and my granddaughter is currently a pupil at Ballymena Academy.

This is not a vendetta against grammar schools, but rather, a concern for the mental health and well-being of 10 and 11 year olds.

This year the pandemic required sensible and compassionate leadership from our political leaders and decisions need to be made by a sympathetic minister and executive.

For your information I am a retired head teacher with 40 years experience in education.

Never before have I witnessed such blatant disregard for the needs of our children from any previous minister.

Minister Weir does not even seem embarrassed when he announced the cancellation of examinations at GCSE and A level whilst still supporting the continuation of a test for ten year olds.

Stewart Polley, Retired Principal, Cullybackey

• Parent: Sign my petition for test to go ahead

• Dr William Kitchen: Here is my plan to safely test

• Jan 6: Closing NI schools a disaster for children – principal

• Hugh McCarthy Jan 6: Education is life-changing and it is shameful to deny it to children

• Editorial Jan 6: AQE right not to give up on test

• Dr William Kitchen Jan 5: Scrapping the transfer test this year could be the end of grammar schools in NI

• Ben Lowry Dec 19: Covid will be used to undermine grammar schools

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