PROCEEDINGS OF THE SUB-GROUP ON SCHOOLS ADMISSION POLICY
Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 16 January 2007 in Room 135, Parliament Buildings.
In the Chair: Willie Clarke
Present: Dominic Bradley
Jeffrey Donaldson MP
Barry McElduff
David McNarry
Catríona Ruane
In attendance: Debbie Pritchard (Principal Clerk)
Stella McArdle (Clerk)
Valerie Artt (Assistant Clerk)
Jim Nulty (Clerical Officer)
Eleanor Murphy (Research and Library Services)
Observing Brian Crowe (UUP Researcher)
Philip Weir (DUP Researcher)
The meeting commenced at12.59 p.m. in closed session.
1. Apologies
An apology was received from Sammy Wilson
2. Minutes of the Meetings held on 8 and 12 January 2007
The minutes of the meetings on 8 and 12 January 2007 were agreed.
3. Matters Arising
Timetable for the Provision of Guidance to Schools on Admissions
Members noted the revised paper provided by the Department of Education.
Legal Position Regarding Possible Challenges to Information Contained in the pupil profile
Members noted the information provided by CCEA on possible legal challenges to the information contained in the proposed pupil profile.
Ms Ruane left the meeting at 1.05 p.m.
DUP Proposal on Academic Selection
Mr Donaldson proposed that ‘while recognising that some of the parties continue to oppose academic selection, the sub-group noted that very little research has been conducted into alternatives to the 11+ that would be available to an incoming Minister in the event of academic selection not being prohibited.’
Ms Ruane rejoined the meeting at 1.11 p.m.
There was consensus and the proposal was agreed.
Proposal on the content of the pupil profile
Members noted the wording of the proposal on the content of the pupil profile, had been included in the report and would be considered at the appropriate place in the draft report.
Breach of Confidentality
Mr McNarry referred to the debate on 16 January 2007 when a section of the minutes of a closed meeting of the sub-group, which had not been agreed were quoted by Mr McElduff. He stated that he wished to have it placed on the record that it was his view that discussions during a closed meeting should remain confidential until publication had been agreed.
4. Consideration of the Draft Report
Members considered the draft report.
| Front Page | agreed |
Membership and Terms of Reference |
agreed |
| Introduction | |
| Paragraphs 1 –11 | agreed |
It was agreed that a new sentence would be inserted into the Introduction stating that all recommendations of the sub-group had been agreed by consensus.
Consideration of Issues – Schools Admission Policy
Paragraphs12 to 24 were agreed
Paragraph 25 was agreed as amended
Paragraphs 26 to 34 were agreed
It was agreed that a new paragraph containing the proposal on academic selection agreed earlier in the meeting should be inserted. It was also agreed that the following statement should be included.
‘Sinn Fein and SDLP stated that they were on the record that there was no need for research on academic selection at any age as there was no need for an alternative to the 11+.’
Paragraphs 35 to 44 were agreed
Paragraph 45 was agreed as amended
Paragraphs 46 to 65 were agreed
Paragraph 66 was agreed as amended
Paragraphs 67 to 77 were agreed as amended
Consideration of Issues – Pupil Profile
Paragraphs 78 to 91 were agreed
Paragraph 92 was agreed as amended
Paragraphs 93 to 105 were agreed
Paragraph 106 was agreed as amended
Paragraph 107 was agreed
The draft proposal in paragraph 108 was agreed by consensus.
Paragraph 109 was agreed as amended
Paragraphs 110 to 111 were agreed
Paragraph 112 was agreed as amended
Ms Ruane left the meeting at 1.55 p.m.
Paragraphs 113 to 128 were agreed
| List of Witnesses | Agreed |
| List of Written Submissions | Agreed |
| Other papers considered by the sub-group | Agreed |
| Papers submitted by the parties of the sub-group | Agreed |
Recommendations
Recommendations 1 to 21 were agreed
It was agreed that the sub headings from the report would be included in the list where appropriate. It was also agreed that recommendation 21 should be the first recommendation and the others would be renumbered.
Executive Summary
Paragraphs 1 to 15 were agreed
Report in its entirety
Members then agreed, as amended, the report from the sub-group on Schools Admission Policy to the Committee on the Programme for Government.
5. Minutes of the meeting on 16 January 2007
The sub-group agreed that it was content for the chairperson to approve the minutes of the meeting of 16 January 2007.
6. Any Other Business
Press Release
Members agreed a press release to be issued following the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 2.15 p.m.
Willie Clarke
Chairperson
23 January 2007