Two Derry/Londonderry grammar schools ditch transfer tests for one year

Q Radio News

Pupils of St Columb's and Thornhill Colleges will not sit the transfer test this Autumn, the Boards of Governors have announced. 

The two Catholic grammar schools in Derry/Londonderry have become the latest to abandon the use of transfer tests, a result of the limited teaching time pupils have received during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a joint statement, Saint Columb's and Thornhill Colleges say the decision was taken after reflecting on the impact and disruption COVID-19 has caused on pupils. 

It read: "The boards of Governors of St Columb's College and Thornhill College have reflected carefully upon the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and the considerable disruption that this has had on our local community and in particular the education of pupils in Primary 6 since March 2020.

"In response to these exceptional circumstances, for this year only, the Boards of Governors and principles of both schools have agreed that they will not use academic criteria for admission into Year 8 in September 2021.

"We believe that this is the right decisions for our schools and local communities, and we hope that this provides much-needed clarity for those Primary 6 pupils and their parents, who would like to apply for admission to our schools."

Thornhill College and St. Columb's College in Derry/Londonderry have announced they won't be using the transfer test this Autumn to admit pupils next year.

They say the decision was taken after reflecting on the crisis and the "considerable disruption" it has had on children. pic.twitter.com/QqegFIgoes

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) June 10, 2020

It comes just five days after Loreto Grammar School and the Christian Brothers' Grammar School in Omagh also decided not to use the entrance exam as a means of admission.

Thornhill College

A total of ten schools across County Tyrone, Fermanagh, Down and Antrim had previously announced that they too would ditch the exam.

SDLP Leader, Colum Eastwood MP welcomed the decision by St Columb’s College and Thornhill College to suspend academic selection for this upcoming year. 

The Foyle MP said: "I welcome the decision by Thornhill College and St Columb’s College to suspend academic selection for this coming year.” 

“Along with schools in Newry and Belfast, they are showing strong leadership and putting the wellbeing of their pupils ahead of an archaic testing system. This move recognises the stress that pupils, families and the whole community have faced as a result of COVID-19.

“Children and young people are under immense pressure at the minute. There is no justifiable reason to make that worse. The lack of proper schooling over the last number of months will disadvantage pupils, particularly from low-income families who cannot afford private tutoring. To continue with the tests in this context is fundamentally unjust.

“I understand that the action taken by these Derry schools is exceptional and will only apply to the forthcoming year. I hope, however, that this is the beginning of a process that will allow them to embrace alternative forms of selection in the best interests of our children.”