Tyrone Courier - News - Schools meet to oppose 11 Plus

News

Schools meet to oppose 11 Plus

Wednesday, 3 February 2010

PRIMARY school opposition to the controversial 11 Plus test was made clear on Friday last when Principals of nearly 40 Catholic schools in the Mid-Ulster area formally united in support of Education Minister Catriona Ruane's plans to end academic selection.
Representatives from a total of 38 schools from throughout Dungannon, Cookstown and Armagh joined together at a special meeting held at The Torrent Centre, Donaghmore during which the Principals unanimously agreed to support the Department of Education's policy of ending academic selection.
In 2008, Education Minister Caitriona Ruane announced her plans to end the 11 Plus, issuing her vision of how pupils should transfer without using academic criteria.
This vision was however heavily criticised by both Catholic and Protestant Grammar Schools.
During Friday's meeting in Donaghmore, the schools affirmed their support for the NI Commission for Catholic Education.
In their statement issued to the Courier, the Dungannon, Armagh and Cookstown Primary Principals said: "We confirm our support for the Department of Education policy of ending academic selection/rejection.
“We also reaffirm our support for the NI Commission for Catholic Education statement of June 2009.
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In particular, we share the view that 'The current system of academic selection at age eleven is no longer an appropriate way for children to transfer to post -primary education' (6:1).
“We are aware that there are many people in all communities who share this position and we commend those individuals and groups that have publicly stated their views on the matter."
The group said it also welcomed the forthcoming establishment of a Catholic Principals' Association: "This organisation would represent primary and secondary schools within the sector and reaffirm a shared philosophy of education around common values.
“As Catholic Principals, we wish to restate our firmly held belief that the system of unregulated testing used by grammar schools is 'Educationally unsound, fundamentally flawed and contrary to the Catholic ethos of our schools'.
“We are deeply concerned that misleading information has been issued to parents by some post primary schools regarding the roles and responsibilities of primary schools/Principals with respect to this year's transfer process.
“In our primary schools we work at all times to achieve the very best for all the children in our care. This school year has seen division and disharmony that we have never experienced before. A small number of grammar schools have imposed a system of rejection and selection on our pupils. These schools have ultimately sought to protect their own interests and privileged positions with no regard to primary schools and other secondary schools."
Continued the Catholic Primary School Principals in their statement: "Grammar schools will shortly attempt to use 'performance data' from primary schools for some children as part of their admissions process. We have told these schools clearly that this data was never intended for any such purpose and should not be used in this way. This is deeply unfair to both children and parents.
“Grammar schools have been made aware that
* they have damaged relationships with primary schools.
* they have damaged relationships between parents and primary schools.
* their testing system is unfair and educationally unsound.
* they have set themselves apart so that their narrow institutional interest is served first and foremost."
The Principals said this year's "debacle" can not be repeated: "We call upon Principals and Boards of Governors in the Catholic grammar sector, many of which are already effectively all-ability schools, to re-examine their current position and join with us in the task of shaping a school system based on equality, shared values and one which meets the needs of all children.
“In the meantime, Principals and teachers in primary schools will continue to serve the needs of all the children in our care."
Opposition schools
The list of Schools/Principals opposing the 11 Plus are:
Deirdre McKee, Aughamullan Primary School
Michelle McGauley, Blessed Patrick O' Loughran, Castlecaulfield
Barry Randall, Clintyclay Primary School
Mary McNeice, Derrylatinee Primary School
Peter Cush, St Colmcille's Primary School, Carrickmore
Anne McAlinden, Edendork Primary School
Conor McPhilips, Gaelscoil Uí Néill,Clonoe
Tony Devlin, Holy Trinity Primary School, Cookstown
Siobhan Coleman, Laghey Primary School, Killyman
Yvonne Mulholland, Presentation Convent Primary School, Portadown
Seán Dillon, Primate Dixon Primary School, Coalisland
Seamus McCreesh, St Patrick's Primary School, Roan
Eunan McGinn, Sacred Heart Primary School, Rock
Gillian McGrath, St Brigid's, Brocagh
Jacqueline Loughran, St Jarlath's Primary School, Blackwatertown
Valerie McGeown, St John's Primary School, Eglish
John Kilpatrick, St John's Primary School, Moy
Philip O'Neill, St John's Primary School, Kingsisland
Mario Gribbon, St John the Baptist Primary School, Portadown
Frances Hughes, St Joseph's Primary School, Caledon
Stephen Magennis, St Joseph's Primary School , Galbally
Catherine McKenna, St Joseph's Primary School, Killeenan
Ciaran Loane, St Peter's Primary School, Moortown
Paul Duggan, St Malachy's Primary School, Armagh
Dympna Singleton, St Mary's Primary School, Aughnacloy
Damian Cullen, St Mary's Primary School, Ballygawley
Damian Kelly, St Mary's Primary School, Cabra
Carole Anderson, St Mary's Primary School, Carland
Sheila Devlin, St Mary's Primary School, Dunamore
Jim Lee, St Mary's Primary School, Maghery
Seán Devlin, St Mary's Primary School, Pomeroy
Marian Hamill, St Mary's Primary School, Stewartstown
Jimmy McKee, St Oliver Plunkett Primary School, Ballyhegan
Patrick McGivern, St Patrick's Primary School, Annaghmore
Dera Cahalane, St Patrick's Primary School, Donaghmore
Mary Hampsey, St Patrick's Primary School, Dungannon
Marie McKenna, St Patrick's Primary School, Mullinahoe
Joe Dunleavy, St Peter's Primary School, Collegelands