HC Deb 15 June 1999 vol 333 cc68-9W
Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils at Killyleagh Primary School in their transfer procedures 1999 expressed a preference for Down High School; how many of these pupils have been accepted into Down High School; what were the grades of those pupils who were refused places in Down High School; and if she will make a statement. [86311]

Mr. McFall

In this year's transfer cohort, 6 pupils from Killyleagh primary School expressed a preference for Down High School and 5 obtained places. The unsuccessful applicant obtained a Grade C2.

The Department of Education approved an additional 18 places for September 1999 admissions to Down High School. The number of pupils to be admitted to a school is necessarily limited by the school's physical capacity and no grade guarantees a place at any school.

These points are made clear to the parents of pupils transferring from primary schools.

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils at Derryboy Primary School in their transfer procedures 1999 expressed a preference for Saintfield High School; how many of these pupils have been accepted into Saintfield High School; what were the grades of those applicants who were refused places in Saintfield High School; and if she will make a statement. [86310]

Mr. McFall

In this year's transfer cohort, 16 pupils from Derryboy Primary School expressed a preference for Saintfield High School and 7 obtained places. Of the remaining 9, 4 did not reach Saintfield High School because they obtained a place in their first preference schools. Non-grammar secondary schools cannot consider the Transfer Procedure Test Grade of applicants in deciding admissions.

Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils at Killinchy Primary School in their transfer procedures 1999 expressed a preference for(a) Down High School and (b) Down Academy; how many of these pupils were accepted into each of these schools; what were the grades of those applicants who were refused places at each of these schools; and if she will make a statement. [86309]

Mr. McFall

In this year's transfer cohort:

  1. (a) 15 pupils from Killinchy Primary School expressed a preference for Down High School and 7 obtained places. Of the remaining 8, 4 were Grade B1 and 2 were Grade B2 and 2 preferences were not received by Down High School, because the pupils obtained places in their first preference schools.
  2. (b) 13 pupils expressed a preference for Down Academy and 5 obtained places. Of the remaining 8, 5 did not reach Down Academy because they obtained places in their first preference schools. Transfer Procedure tests grades may not be taken into account in admissions decisions for non-grammar secondary schools.

The Department of Education approved an additional 18 places for September 1999 admissions to Down High School. The number of pupils to be admitted to a school is necessarily limited by the school's physical capacity and no grade guarantees a place at any schools.

These points are made clear to parents of pupils transferring from primary schools.