Unionists oppose 11-plus proposals

Proposals to reform education in Northern Ireland would "undermine standards" in grammar schools, the Ulster Unionist Party has said.

The party gave its formal response to the Burns Report on post primary education on Monday.

The Burns review of Northern Ireland's education system was set up by Education Minister Martin McGuinness and proposes the abolition of the controversial 11-plus transfer test.

The exam is a selection test for children in primary seven and determines to which type of school they will transfer.

UUP education spokesman Danny Kennedy

Ulster Unionist education spokesman Danny Kennedy said his party would be "vigorously opposing" the proposals.

He said existing standards of excellence in local grammar schools must not be compromised.

"Our view is that types of schools which are persistently over-subscribed should be quickly expanded to allow disappointed families to take up places in their preferred type of school.

"Our goal is that all schools should come to be viewed as equivalent in the value of education they provide.

"This must be done without damaging the ethos of successful existing schools, including the grammar schools," said Mr Kennedy.

Pupil profile

The Ulster Unionists want to see a transfer procedure based pupil profile developed in primary schools, accommodating parental input, but with the final decision resting with the school on the basis of approved criteria.

This will include a standardised test, which will enable parents and pupils to ascertain a child's ability.

Another key recommendation of the party's response is the proposal to introduce more technological and vocational education, while it is also proposed that all secondary schools be renamed as colleges, to help create parity of esteem.