11 Plus News for Northern Ireland
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Many news articles appear in the press relating to selective entry to schools at 11 plus and education in general.
These articles have been selected as being relevant to parents of children aged 9 to 13 who are interested in what is happening across Northern Ireland. Further details can be found in the BOFA Northern Ireland pages.
Contributions and comments are welcome, please write to enquires@planetbofa.com.
Transfer test security breach investigation to be revealed
BBC News 12 Dec 2011
Catholic grammar schools have continued to use academic selection since the official 11-plus ended three years ago. They commissioned tests from an English ...
Blueprint for future nothing to shout about
Belfast Telegraph - 26 Nov 2011
There is no mention of the deadlock on the 11-Plus, condemning more parents and teachers and yet more cohorts of primary schoolchildren to the chaos of the ...
New '11-plus' talks ahead
Belfast Telegraph - 21 Nov 2011
Thousands of children across Northern Ireland have been taking the exams introduced by grammar schools following the removal of the 11-plus in 2008. ...
Opponents snipe at UUP Stormont shake-up plan
Belfast Telegraph - Feb 17, 2011
Education Minister Caitriona Ruane attempted to end both the 11-plus and academic selection, |resulting in chaos.” In response, DUP Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: “We welcome the UUP's conversion and decision to adopt our policy, ...
We may remove Ruane: Elliott
Belfast Newsletter - Apr 15, 2011
The manifesto also says that the UUP supports academic selection, but not a return to the 11-plus and promises a “quiet period of certainty” by not bringing any statutory changes for a period of two years. Speaking at yesterday's launch in Belfast's ...
UUP putting education at the top of its agenda
Belfast Telegraph - Apr 14, 2011
The party outlines its commitment to universal pre-school education, devolving more power to headteachers, finding agreement on a final replacement for the 11-plus and promoting shared education. Basil McCrea, UUP education spokesman, said: “Education ...
UUP will not reinstate 11-plus: Mike Nesbitt
Belfast Telegraph - Apr 11, 2011
The 11-plus will not be reinstated by the Ulster Unionist Party if it takes on responsibility for education at Stormont following next month's Assembly elections. However, the party has vowed to end the transfer chaos for the ...
Transfer test results out today
Belfast Telegraph - Feb 4, 2011
Some 6800 P7 pupils sat the AQE and GL assessment tests in 2010, which were brought in by secondary level schools after the 11-plus test was withdrawn by the Department of Education. The AQE test is primarily used by state-sector grammar schools and ...
Unionists cannot bring back 11-Plus, claims Sinn Fein
Belfast Telegraph - Jan 3, 2011
Unionist politicians will be unable to re-instate the old 11-plus transfer test, even if they take the education ministry after May's Assembly election, ...
Student numbers sitting transfer tests down on last year
Tyrone Today - Nov 25, 2010
This is the second year that schools, including St Patrick's Academy and St Joseph's Grammar, Donaghmore, have run their own unofficial 11-plus style ..
Row erupts over DUP's 'U-turn on selection'
Belfast Telegraph - Nov 22, 2010
The 11-plus procedure is educationally unsound and socially divisive and places unnecessary strain upon children at a very early age. ...
7000 children take grammar tests
BBC News - Nov 20, 2010
The exams have been introduced by grammar schools which still want academic selection, in spite of the scrapping of the official 11-plus. ...
7000 children sit transfer tests
BBC News - Nov 13, 2010
In the past, the 11-plus took place in children's own primary schools. Over the next few weeks, the system operated mostly by Catholic grammar schools will ...
Pupils sit first transfer test
Belfast Newsletter - Nov 13, 2010
Grammar schools are using the tests as a replacement for the 11-plus, scrapped by education minister Caitriona Ruane, despite widespread opposition. ..
Sort it out appeal falls on deaf ears
Belfast Telegraph - Nov 11, 2010
Far from trying to reach a compromise on what should replace the axed 11-plus exam, politicians of all hues appear to be avoiding what is one of the most ...
Ruane Says Underachievers 'Can Do Better'
4ni.co.uk - Oct 26, 2010
"It has also been a priority to remove the inequality caused by our two-tier education system through removal of the 11 plus and publication of the Transfer
School 'first to end selection'
BBC News - Oct 22, 2010
It also become the first to respond positively to a call by the Catholic Church that all its grammar schools phase out 11-plus style exams. ..
What the papers say
BBC News - Oct 22, 2010
The Irish News reports that Loreto College in Coleraine proposes to phase out 11-plus style exams and change its admissions status by 2012. ...
School place case is 'thrown out'
BBC News - Oct 11, 2010
... for the child said the case highlighed the labyrinth which faced parents under the new procedure which grammar schools have used to replace the 11 plus. ...
Northern Ireland children reveal pain of transfer shambles
Belfast Telegraph - Sep 28, 2010
The report notes that some of the pupils' views may have equally applied to the former 11-plus tests. But added pressures under the current system include ..
Pupils 'want consulted on exams'
BBC News - Sep 27, 2010
In 2009, two sets of unregulated tests filled the vacuum left by the ending of the 11-plus transfer tests. In the aftermath, almost 1000 primary seven ..
Caitriona Ruane rejects any suggestion she should quit
Belfast Telegraph - 3 July 2010
Despite 67 schools setting their own entrance exams this year and already planning for similar tests next year, the minister also insisted that “the 11-plus ...
Revealed: experts' verdict on selection impasse
Belfast Telegraph - Kathryn Torney - Jun 4, 2010
... SDLP and Alliance Party — who have been meeting weekly since last October to try to agree on what should replace the 11-plus exam. ...
Group to hold more entrance exams
BBC News - May 12, 2010
The 11-plus transfer test ended in 2008 after Education Minister Caitriona Ruane introduced regulation abolishing academic selection. ...
MLAs get 11-plus stalemate plan
BBC News - May 20, 2010
A report on how to resolve the impasse over the 11-plus has been received by a cross-party group of assembly members. The MLAs commissioned a number of ...
Gerry Adams on Talkback
BBC News - May 4, 2010
1233 Stephen calls to raise the 11-plus. he says SF removes choice through the abolition of the 11-plus. Mr Adams says NI was the only part of western ...
Northern Ireland parties inch towards an agreed transfer solution
Belfast Telegraph - May 3, 2010
... political leaders to sort out the school transfer crisis amid a long-running stalemate over the best replacement for the now abolished 11-Plus. ...
Six questions to put to the Sinn Fein and SDLP
Belfast Telegraph - Apr 23, 2010
... on Westminster but Margaret Ritchie is planning to be an MP and MLA. 6 Is the SDLP for or against Caitriona Ruane's policy on abolishing the 11-plus?
Constituency profile: South Down
Belfast Telegraph - Apr 23, 2010
Also, Ruane is not well liked within the Catholic middle classes because of her stance and handling on the 11-plus and she needs such voters on her side,” ...
Party fails memory test on selection
Belfast Telegraph - Apr 21, 2010
What is the SDLP's position on the issue of selection of primary school pupils at 11-Plus? The SDLP used to be counted among those who are opposed to ...
Schools fail to agree joint transfer exam
Belfast Telegraph - Apr 21, 2010
These papers were more in the style of the old 11-plus exams. There was a fee for the AQE tests while the PPTC tests were free. A joint statement was issued ...
Decision time looms for grammar entrance test
Belfast Telegraph - Apr 14, 2010
These papers were more in the style of the old 11-plus exams. There was a fee for the AQE tests while the tests on offer within the Catholic school sector ...
Northern Ireland Education Minister Pledges To Work With Unions To Ensure Best ...
eGov monitor - Apr 9, 2010
“Education professionals and teaching unions have for many years called for the ending of academic selection and the 11 plus. ...
Northern Ireland vote could shape election outcome
The Guardian - Apr 7, 2010
Although Ruane has a high profile, she has alienated many middle-class Catholics over her abolition of the 11-plus transfer test. ...
Caitriona Ruane attacks private transfer test tutoring
BBC News - Mar 12, 2010
Under direct rule the government took the decision to end the 11-plus test in Northern Ireland, however political bargaining led to a deal which did not ban ...
No turns on the Sinn Fein devolution train
BBC News - Mar 6, 2010
... put it: "Is Sir Reg Empey really saying that he is threatening the political institutions because Caitriona Ruane won't reintroduce the 11 plus. ...
Catholic school plans to be released later this month
Ulster Herald - Mar 4, 2010
The all-ability schools are also aimed at removing the necessity for 11-plus tests. Late last year, a similar review for the Fermanagh area recommended the ...
Grammar schools are here to stay – Robinson
Belfast Newsletter - Mar 2, 2010
But although he was not being dogmatic about what method should replace the old 11-plus, he insisted that Northern Ireland needs more "elite" high achievers ...
DUP bid over Hillsborough deal branded 'bizarre'
Belfast Telegraph - Mar 2, 2010
The party has said it will not back the devolution of policing and justice powers unless substantial progress is made on resolving the 11 plus stalemate in ...
DUP leader attacks plans for Catholic schools
BBC News - Mar 1, 2010
He said the replacement of the 11-plus with involved multiple exams "hardly seemed to be an educational advancement" and that he favoured computer adaptive ...
Why 'one-size-fits-all' schools will not work
Belfast Telegraph - Mar 1, 2010
He notes that it did not surprise him when research by Professor Gardner and Dr Cowan demonstrated major reliability problems in the 11-plus. ...
Fewer re-marks in new transfer tests
BBC News - Feb 24, 2010
The figure is significantly lower than the number who applied to have the last 11-plus test re-marked. One hundred and fifteen pupils, about 1.6% of who sat ...
NO More State Sponsored Testing Of 10 Year Olds In Northern Ireland Says ...
eGov monitor - Feb 17, 2010
The Minister was responding to a call for the return of the State sponsored 11 plus transfer test. Minister Ruane said: “The last state sponsored 11 plus ...
Parents' concern at admissions hurdles
Derry Today - Feb 16, 2010
“We have always been subscribed and it has never been the case that an A grade assures a place at Lumen Christi - even with the 11 Plus. ...
Academic selection is out of date - Daithi McKay
Ballymoney Times - Feb 16, 2010
Post primary schools on a daily basis prove why there is no justifiable requirement for the 11 plus, they provide a first class education and produce pupils ...
Education experts call for temporary transfer test
BBC News - Feb 12, 2010
... than through the education minister, Caitriona Ruane. The 11-plus ended in 2008 after the Ms Ruane introduced regulation abolishing academic selection.
Body releases transfer exam marks
BBC News - Feb 11, 2010
Last year, almost 6000 pupils who sat the last 11-plus exam were awarded A grades. That was about 25% of the total year group, including those who did not ...
Parents set to consult schools on exam results
Belfast Newsletter - Feb 8, 2010
THE parents of children who took 11-plus replacement tests will this week consult with primary schools about the next stage for their children transferring ...
Primary pupils get transfer results
U.TV - Feb 6, 2010
Schools set their own entrance tests after the 11-plus was abolished in 2008 without political consensus for an alternative. The transfer tests went ahead ...
Northern Ireland test breaks new educational ground
BBC News - Maggie Taggart - Feb 6, 2010
Although Primary 7 children have done the 11-plus exams in the past, this is the first time that independent entrance exams will determine ...
What the papers say
BBC News - Jan 31, 2010
The Irish News says primary school principals are threatening to withdraw all support for unofficial 11 plus tests over what they call "crazy demands" being ...
Deadlock in Northern Ireland
The Guardian - Jan 29, 2010
The selection procedures between primary and post-primary schools have been deregulated in the name of abolishing the standardised 11-plus examination, ...
South Belfast's newest MLA pedals into action
Belfast Telegraph - Pauline Reynolds - Jan 27, 2010
“The time has come to produce an alternative and stand for something more then simply being against the 11 plus,” he said. Turning to the work front, ...
Editor's Viewpoint: Ruane's Reforms are not working
Belfast Telegraph - Jan 20, 2010
She has abolished the 11-plus selection test, but has been unable to get Executive or Assembly approval for her replacement policy. ...
Transfer chaos may run for a decade
Belfast Telegraph - Jan 18, 2010
... confirmed that there are currently no talks taking place between the DUP and his party on the thorny issue of agreeing on a replacement for the 11-plus. ...
Transfer chaos: Belfast Telegraph readers' "Sort It Out" message delivered to ...
Belfast Telegraph - Dec 7, 2009
The campaign is calling on the five main political parties at Stormont to agree on the best way to replace the 11-plus after it was scrapped last year, ...
Transfer campaign: Public opinion seems to be causing a shift within Sinn Fein
Belfast Telegraph - Dec 4, 2009
His attendance also follows just days after fellow Sinn Fein MLA Jennifer McCann said Martin McGuinness was wrong to scrap the 11-plus tests without a ...
We should have had replacement before axing 11-Plus, says Sinn Fein MLA
Belfast Telegraph - Dec 3, 2009
A Sinn Fein MLA has broken ranks with her party and admitted the then Education Minister Martin McGuinness was wrong to axe the 11-plus ...
P6 parents should get behind the Belfast Telegraph's transfer campaign
Belfast Telegraph - Dec 2, 2009
“I think Caitriona Ruane is ridiculous getting rid of the 11-plus without a proper replacement,” she said. “The children are being used as pawns. ...
225 pupils sit selection test at Dalriada school
Ballymoney Times - Nov 17, 2009
... clear triumph for those schools who set their own entrance criteria. t non-academic selection criteria should take the place of the now defunct 11-plus. ...
Education divide 'greater than before test scrapped'
Belfast Telegraph - ?Nov 9, 2009
? The inequalities in education are now greater than they were prior to the scrapping of the 11-plus test, it has been claimed. ...
Opening the school debate
Telegraph.co.uk - ?Nov 10, 2009
? If you reckon your child is brighter than average and could pass the 11-plus, or other relevant entrance exam, the latter option is clearly tempting. ...
Education divide 'greater than before test scrapped'
Belfast Telegraph - ?Nov 9, 2009
? The inequalities in education are now greater than they were prior to the scrapping of the 11-plus test, it has been claimed. ...
Spotlight falls on selection choices
BBC News - Nov 3, 2009
Nearly every grammar school in Northern Ireland is defying Education Minister Caitriona Ruane by staging unofficial transfer tests in place of the old ...
Time right for action at last on education
Belfast Telegraph - Oct 29, 2009
Dominic Bradley's watery comments on the 11-Plus do not represent the vast majority of SDLP supporters. Why will the SDLP not back the Minister of Education ...
Anguish over schools turmoil
For years primary school principals have witnessed the distortion of the curriculum caused by the 11-plus transfer system and the look of devastation on ...
Ed Curran: Why Robinson is right to step back from a deal he cannot sell
It has failed to date to agree on a number of important matters, most notably a resolution to the 11-plus debacle, so what confidence can we have that it ...
11 plus talks 'very productive'
All of the main political parties, with the exception of Sinn Fein, said they have established a framework for talks on a replacement for the 11 plus exam. ...
Transfers: it's the children that matter
Having axed the 11-plus examination, the Education Minister issued admissions criteria guidance to schools. However, 68 schools, divided almost equally ...
Fury at Ruane for 'failing the kids'
Education Minister Caitriona Ruane has scrapped the 11-plus and has issued admissions guidance to schools. But this has been dismissed by 68 schools which ...
Assembly backs 'interim 11-plus'
The assembly has voted narrowly in favour of commissioning a new version of the 11-plus. However, Education Minister Caitriona Ruane said she would not ...
Assembly debate brings divisions into sharp focus
... She said: “Let me be absolutely clear and unambiguous: the 11-plus is gone, the 11-plus is not coming back in any shape or form. The new arrangements are ...
Stressed-out parents blame Ruane for 'total mess'
They should have had everything in place before getting rid of the 11-plus, it's all been a complete nightmare. I cannot believe Caitriona Ruane is still in ...
Parties dither over talks to end transfer logjam
... Ford last week which called on each party to nominate representatives for talks in a bid to resolve the logjam over what should replace the 11-plus. ...
Unions don't speak for all
...claim that they were now all singing from the same hymn sheet and that Caitriona Ruane was their choirmaster as far as the post-11-plus debate was concerned ...
No compromise from Education Minister on transfer campaign
Parties who now present themselves as reasonable and as seeking accommodation are actually seeking the return of the 11-plus, as can be witnessed in their ...
Pressure mounts on Sinn Fein as main parties back petition
>... parties have thrown their weight behind our petition which calls on all of the parties to find a resolution to what should replace the 11-plus. ...
Children set to sit unofficial transfer tests
This means that a slightly lower number of children will be sitting the unofficial tests as sat the last 11-plus, 15400 children ...
Children set to sit unofficial transfer tests
'Similar' demand for tests as last 11-plus
Caitriona Ruane: I won't resign, I won't back down
Ruane boost for integration
If we can't agree on our childrens' education, what hope is there?
P7 selection: What the principals really think
The format of AQE tests
Search Search Go
Stormont's power-sharing flaws
Parents confusion over 11 plus future
Professor Tony Gallagher, head of the School of Education at ...
Boy told he should travel 90 miles each day to school
Price parents pay for new tests
Viewpoint: Transfer fiasco must be resolved
DUP welcome priest's 11+ views
What the papers say
Exams watchdogs around the UK
Scramble grows for private tuition
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS 'SHOULD TARGET POOR'
Troubles ahead
Not too many happy returns from smaller parties
Grammar intakes revealed
Summer homework for grammar tests
Northern Ireland grammar schools 11-plus intake revealed
Parents put their faith in new entrance tests
Unions call on schools to abandon transfer tests
School heads want tests abandoned
Transfer test applications begin
BBC News - May 18, 2009
By Maggie Taggart Grammar schools in Northern Ireland have opened registration for the new unregulated entrance exams to replace the 11-plus. ...
Details of transfer test emerge
BBC News Northern Ireland- May 14, 2009
Parents will be able to collect packs or download the forms from grammar school websites on Monday, but the forms do not have to be returned until 18 ...
'New' 11-Plus Gets Underway
Northern Ireland on the Internet - May 18, 2009
Prospective grammar school students can begin the new, unregulated entrance process for the major schools from today.
Many such grammar schools have now started to take registrations for their 'private' entrance exams to replace the contentious 11-plus selection.
Why our 11-plus puzzle would baffle Einstein
Belfast Telegraph - May 1, 2009
Anyway, one thing that will surely be beyond the little prodigy — the 11-plus alternative test paper in Northern Ireland. And that's just the exam we're ...
North's selection crisis raises issues of class, justice and ...
Irish Times - May 4, 2009
Highly controversial and widely disputed, the 11-plus forms the basis of the current mode of schools transfer in Northern Ireland and consequently the shape ...
Ruane: Discrimination in academic selection inevitable
Belfast Telegraph - Apr 27, 2009
The final 11-plus was held in Northern Ireland's schools last November and the way in which children currently in primary six will transfer to second-level ...
