NAHT
The Association for all School Leaders

National Association of Head Teachers (NI) Consultation Response

Information for Committee for Education on proposals for transfer to post primary education from 2010.

1/ Concerns about proposed tests 2010- 2013

a/ Is it possible to reconcile the new test with the aim of implementing the revised curriculum as planned? It is unlikely that a test can be devised that reflects the current curriculum changes which are encouraging skills development. When first proposed by CCEA the revised curriculum was said to be entirely incompatible with academic selection. Now, how will skills such as “Working with others” or “Being creative” be assessed in a one hour test. What will the proposed selection test actually test?

Validity in a test is the degree to which the test actually measures that which it proposes to test. If the selection test does not completely reflect the curriculum taught it will lack this validity.

b/ It has always been the case that the nature of a test affects the nature of the teaching leading up to it. Some schools will feel pressurised to teach to the test and the implementation of the revised curriculum will consequently be hindered.

c/ Can a single test lasting one hour have the reliability necessary for public confidence in the process? Children will not have the opportunity, as previous, to have the results of two tests averaged. This can help smooth out any small difficulties that may arise on a particular day. The impact on children of sitting the test in unfamiliar surroundings should also be considered.

d/ Widespread tutoring will continue to enhance the grades obtained by those pupils whose carers can afford to pay for private tutors. As with the current test the results do not always reflect the actual ability of the pupil.

e/ It is important that the new INCA assessments, now been used in primary schools, are not distorted by the selection test. On no account can they or the pupil profile be used for selection. Neither process is designed for use as a discriminatory tool for selecting pupils for grammar schools.

f/ What arrangements will exist for pupils transferring from preparatory schools attached to grammar schools? All pupils must have equal opportunity in the transfer process.

2/ Concerns about the proposed non academic criteria to be used post 2010

a/ Family criteria: should include a clause to allow priority to pupils whose elder siblings have been rejected by the school i.e. they should be treated as if they are the eldest in the family.

b/ In some areas, single gender grammar schools who traditionally have selected pupils from a wide geographical area will be selecting their pupils from a smaller area. This has considerable implications for the coeducational schools within that area and will potentially skew their intake towards the gender not enrolled by the single sex grammar.

Contact: Aidan Dolan
Director For Education, NAHT (NI)
aidand@naht.org.uk 07801367056

Regional Officer for Districts 33,34, Fern Turner BA (HONS) MA PG DipMeMc MIPD
Carnmoney House, Edgewater Office Park, Belfast, BT3 9JQ
T: 02890 776633 E: nahtni@naht.org.uk W: www.naht.org.uk