To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 20591/17-22, for her assessment of the process by which post-primary schools select year 8 pupils.

Legislation provides Boards of Governors (BoGs) of individual schools, and not my Department, with the power to determine which criteria schools will use for admission in the event of a school being over-subscribed with applicants.

Under Article 16B of the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1997, my Department may issue guidance on the transfer process, which BoGs must “have regard to”. Accordingly, last October my Department provided schools with guidance on the process, including on the use of recommended and not recommended admissions criteria.

I do not believe there is a single set of admissions criteria that is appropriate for all schools and schools are best placed, having regard to my Department’s advice, to assess their own situation and decide on admissions criteria that are appropriate for their individual circumstances.

My Department will consider what additional guidance is required in light of the experience of Transfer 2021.