To ask the Minister of Education to confirm the date by which each year seven primary school pupil (i) should; and (ii) will have a confirmed place at a post-primary school.

While the majority of children received good news at the conclusion of the post-primary admissions process, just over 1% of the cohort, or 280 children, had not been placed at a school of their preference.

I am pleased to say that parents have engaged with the Education Authority (EA) to nominate additional preferences for their children and as of 1 July 2021 this has now dropped to 90 children.

As neither my Department nor the EA places a child who does not have a statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN) in a school, all children will have secured a place once remaining parents nominate a school for their child from those that have places available.

The majority of parents of children with SEN have already received their child’s new or amended statement with their placement for September 2021. Where placements have not yet been confirmed, the EA’s SEN Team will work directly with parents to update them on their individual consultation process.

My Department will continue to work with the EA and schools to provide additional places where a shortfall arises in any area.