Dungannon grammar responds to transfer test petition

A CAMPAIGN group which is calling for two Catholic grammar schools to suspend this year’s transfer tests says a commitment to look at the issue in September is not soon enough.

The group, which is made up of past pupils and concerned parents, had written to St Patrick’s Academy Dungannon and St Joseph’s Grammar in Donaghmore urging them not to go ahead with testing due to the impact of the coronavirus lockdown on pupils.

They also set up an online petition, which has received over 1,000 signatures since it was launched last Tuesday.

St Patrick’s Academy has written back assuring the campaign group that it “fully appreciates the issues raised in your letter”.

Principal Fintan Donnelly also said, “The board has to consider the full range of issues and it must approach such weighty decisions from the perspective of what it considers to be the best course of action overall…”

The campaign group said that while they were “very pleased” with the reassurance from the Board of Governors, they were “disappointed” that the board doesn’t plan to meet until September.

“We are heartened that they appreciate the variety of viewpoints on this issue, which include those of the NI Children’s Commissioner, teachers and church leaders, as well as all of the growing research that highlights the continuing damaging impact that Covid19 is having on all children,” a spokesperson said.

“We would urge them to recognise that delaying these crucial discussions will only add to the
mental anguish of ten-year old children.

“Surely such a weighty decision, that is having such a negative impact on so many, is worthy of discussion sooner than September?”