Omagh CBS decides against using academic selection

BOYS who are entering their P7 class throughout West Tyrone in September this year will not have to undergo a transfer test to get into  Omagh CBS this week decided against using academic selection criteria for entry.

It is the second year running that a transfer test will not have been held by the school due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Board of Governors at the school said that they have taken the decision due to the impact of the current Covid-19 crisis, the significant disruption to the education of pupils currently in P7 and the prospect that there may be similar interruption during the first term of the 2021-2022 academic year.

In a statement issued by the school this week, the Governors said that they wanted to provide early clarity for families.

“The Board of Governors will not use the outcomes from the GL Entrance Assessment or other academic criteria as part of the Year 8 admissions for September 2022, they added.

“The admissions criteria has temporarily been amended for the 2021-2022 academic year and these criteria will remain in place for the 2022-2023 academic year, subject to annual review.

“The admissions criteria for entry to Year 8 in September 2022 will be published in accordance with the guidelines provided by the Education Authority.”

Loreto Grammar School in Omagh has this week said that it has made no decision as yet on whether or not to use academic criteria for entrance for students hoping to enrol there for the 2022-2023 school year.

In a statement, its Board of Governors said that they are continuing to engage in discussions and consideration of all the implications from admissions to Year 8 in September 2022.

They say that they will inform parents of their decision ‘as soon as possible.’

It is understood that Omagh Academy have also still to make a decision on admissions criteria for pupils entering P7 in September.