'Disappointment' at 11-plus plan

The issue of academic selection has proved controversial

Sinn Féin's education spokesman has said he is "disappointed" a grammar school in Londonderry is pushing ahead with plans for a replacement 11-plus.

At the weekend, Lumen Christi College revealed a sample of its new selection test at a meeting for Year 6 parents.

The school has said will use the test to select its pupils if no agreement is reached at the Assembly.

John O'Dowd said the plans meant local pupils would be excluded from their local school.

"Schools should be a centre of learning for all pupils," he said.

Last December, the education minister, Caitríona Ruane, announced that the test, commonly known as the 11-plus, would come to an end in 2008.

Lumen Christi College is one of three Catholic grammar schools to announce that they intend to set their own selection tests.

The move is opposed by both the Catholic bishops and the Education Minister.

Principal Pat O'Doherty told parents at the meeting on Saturday that the first batch of tests were planned for November 2009.

"We've taken legal advice and we're entitled to use academic selection under the St Andrews agreement," he said.

Mr O'Doherty maintained the test was only a back-up plan if a decision was not made by the assembly.

"The test is to decide if a child has an aptitude for grammar school, exactly the same as the current transfer test."