Transfer test: P7 pupils in NI receive AQE and GL results

Thousands of primary seven pupils in Northern Ireland have received their transfer test results on Saturday.

The tests are run by two private companies and are used by some schools to decide which pupils to offer a place to on the basis of academic selection.

The separate transfer tests are used by about 60 post-primary schools.

However, a common test is due to be held for the first time later this year.

Some parents of pupils who sat the test at St Patrick's Academy in Dungannon had been left concerned after GL exam results did not arrive in the post on Saturday.

However, St Patrick's has since confirmed all results are available at the school and can be collected or received over the phone.

On social media, the school thanked parents, guardians and pupils for their patience saying the situation was beyond their control.

"The Post Office and Royal Mail have contacted the academy to apologise and are working closely with us in this regard," the school said.

About 8,400 pupils will receive results for the test set by the Association for Quality Education (AQE), while grades are also due for about 7,300 who sat the Post-Primary Transfer Consortium's (PPTC) GL Assessment test.

It is estimated that over 1,000 children sat both tests when they were held on a number of consecutive Saturdays in November and December 2022.

A few pupils who sat the PPTC tests at Antrim Grammar School received their results on Friday, a day early, due to a mailing error.

New exam system

The switch to a common test later this year is the biggest change to the post-primary transfer system since 2008, when the state run 11-plus test was scrapped after more than 60 years.

The common test is due to be held for the first time on two Saturdays in November 2023 and will be used by all selective schools in Northern Ireland.

It is to be run by a new body called the Schools' Entrance Assessment Group (SEAG), set up by the schools themselves.

They have already released details of how the new exams will assess pupils.

But academic selection is likely to remain controversial.

Numerous reports have criticised academic selection over the years, including claims that the system benefits better-off children and perpetuates division.

Cathal O'Doherty said support is in place for those who do not get the grades they hoped

Cathal O'Doherty, principal at St Clare's Primary School in west Belfast, said he was "very proud" of all the pupils who sat the exam.

"Obviously it's mixed emotions for so many of them but we are particularly pleased with how the school has preformed this year," he said.

"It also has to be said that it is a great credit to any of the children who were undertaking the test because this is the first cohort post Covid, so we are delighted they have done so well."

Mr O'Doherty acknowledged the process could be stressful for both teachers and students. adding that support was in place for those who did not get the results they hoped.

"We meet with every set of parents in the next two weeks, we give advice, we look at the criteria for all of the non grammar schools and the grammar schools," he said.

"We try to ensure that the information and the evidence is put forward for the children, so that they can get the very best chance of going to the school they want to go to."