Nine children still without post primary school places in Northern Ireland

By Q Radio news

Nine young people are still awaiting a post-primary school place in Northern Ireland despite the new term having started more than two weeks ago.

However, it's a big drop from August when more than fifty pupils had no school to go to.

The Education Authority says it's confident all pupils will get a place,

A spokesperson for the Education Authority said:

“There is a place available for every post-primary pupil and the Education Authority (EA) are actively communicating and working with a small number of families of young people yet to be placed to explore options and support them in selecting a school.

“To date over 23,600 (99.96%) pupils have received a place in a post-primary school.

Nine young people are still awaiting a post-primary school place in Northern Ireland despite the new term having started more than two weeks ago.https://t.co/PvSkaB5xax

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) September 14, 2021

"As of 13th September, 9 young people have yet to secure a place, including a number of applications that were received after the admissions deadline.

“EA is responsible for administering the admissions process, however, the admissions criteria is set by schools themselves who also manage their own waiting lists.

“When submitting an application for a post-primary place parents/guardians were advised to list a number of school choices.

For families that have done this, and who have not received an offer at any of their nominated schools, we understand that this can be a worrying and stressful time.

We want to reassure any families who find themselves in this position that we are here to work with them to make sure their child has a place in a post-primary school.

“In cases where children who have yet to be placed in a school and where parents have not yet nominated a school, EA has again written out to parents to remind parents of their parental responsibility to nominate a school.

This will not in any way prejudice any ongoing appeal, by an Independent panel, or impact waiting list places, but will ensure that all children have an identified place in a school for the new academic year.

“In the event that parents are unhappy with a decision of a school not to provide a place, the EA manages an appeals process.

Decisions on appeals are not made by the EA but by an independent tribunal panel who deliberates on each case individually.

“A number of factors has led to a significant increase in the number of post-primary appeals this year.

As of 13th September 1 appeal remains to be heard. Over 99% of appeals have been heard –  653 - of which 126 were upheld.”