11 plus talks 'very productive'

The education minister said she will not re-introduce academic selection

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.

The DUP, SDLP, UUP and Alliance, held a meeting to discuss the ongoing dispute and said there was "significant areas of agreement" between their parties.

They added that they intend to meet on a regular basis "to explore further common ground".

Sinn Fein's dismissed the meeting as a "publicity stunt".

The party's education spokesperson John O'Dowd accused the parties of trying to lever "credibility on their failed positions" on academic selection.

"The 11 plus lobby need to understand their days of having an unhealthy influence in the corridors of power is over and done with, the 11 plus is gone and their era is over," he said.

Children in Northern Ireland sat the last 11-plus in November 2008.

Parties have yet to agree on a replacement.

Last Wednesday, the assembly voted narrowly in favour of commissioning a new version of the exam.

The UUP asked the assembly to approve an interim method from next year.

It wants literacy and numeracy tests to be prepared for use in the future.

Their motion was passed by 43 votes to 41, but Education Minister Caitriona Ruane said she would not reintroduce even a temporary form of selection.

Her party colleague, John O'Dowd said the parties represented at the meeting sit on the education committee, which he said had "ample opportunity" over the past two years "to find consensus and discuss the critical issues affecting education and our children".