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Grammar Schools in 11-Plus Shock; Intake Figures Reveal Wide Ability Range

Posted on: Wednesday, 28 September 2005, 12:00 CDT

By Kathryn Torney

A wide variation in the 11-plus grade intake at Northern Ireland's grammar schools can be revealed today.Figures obtained by the Belfast Telegraph for every grammar school in the province show that only 10% of the students at one school were awarded an A grade in their 11-plus exam, while at another over 40% of its intake had C2 or D grades. The dramatic drop in the overall school population has resulted in many grammars accepting pupils with D and C2 grades for the 2004/05 academic year.Educationalists conceded today that the new figures, released by the five education boards, raise some questions about the future of a long-running campaign to preserve the elite grammar school system. It has also been claimed some teachers are struggling to cope with the needs of a mixed-ability intake.The statistics show that 64% of the pupils who started grammar schools earlier this month were awarded A grades in their 11- plus exam, 14% had B1s, 11% B2s and 6% C1s.However, the breakdown of grade intake gives a stark picture of the changing ethos in some grammar schools.At Campbell College in Belfast, only 10% of the pupils achieved As, while 11% had D grades

. The 25 students accepted by St Patrick's Grammar in Armagh with C2 or D grades make up 22% of its first year intake. While at Dominican College in Portstewart, 23% of new students had A grades, compared with almost 44% with C2s or Ds.At the other end of the scale, the intake at Aquinas Grammar in Belfast was 110 As, 1 B1 and 1 'other', and Rathmore Grammar gave places to 179 As and 1 B1.DUP education spokes- man, Sammy Wilson, said: "Grammar schools will find it increasingly difficult to oppose the Government's plans for comprehensive education if they lose their academic ethos by widening intake."Some would be prepared to impose limits on grade intake but they cannot do this as open enrolment means they have to keep accepting pupils until they fill their quota."The department must do something if it is committed to providing a range of educational opportunities."Grammar school representative, Finbarr McCallion, from the Governing Bodies Association, said: "We cannot begin to sort this problem out until we have agreed what to do with the system."By spending so much time talking about a new system we have neglected a problem that exists as a result of falling numbers."If we are going to have academic selection we will have to make it clear what an academic school is and what grades are suitable."Grammar schools are going to have to face up to the reality of a population decline."A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said: "The department is taking forward the implementation of new post-primary arrangements. "The Minister wants to consider the responses to the consultation on options for new admissions arrangements carefully, and then intends to meet all shades of opinion to discuss their responses before making decisions."Earlier this month, the Belfast Telegraph revealed that almost 5,000 first form places remain unfilled in the province's non- selective schools as a result of the ongoing decline in the school population. See tomorrow's paper for a breakdown of the grade intake for every grammar school.

Source: Belfast Telegraph

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