Human error and lack of checks caused transfer test mix-up at Rainey, Magherafelt

GL Assessment, the exam provider responsible for last month’s transfer test botch-up at the Rainey Endowed School, Magherafelt, has put in place a range of measures to ensure it cannot happen again.
Rainey Endowed School Magherafelt.INMM2213-391SRRainey Endowed School Magherafelt.INMM2213-391SR
Rainey Endowed School Magherafelt.INMM2213-391SR

Thirty-four pupils received the wrong results in a mix up which was blamed at the time on a technical glitch.

Although the mistake was quickly put right it caused upset to the pupils and their families.

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The Post Primary Transfer Consortium (PPTC), responsible for overseeing the GL Assessment exam, this week issued an assurance to parents that l”essons had been learned”.

UUP MLA, Sandra Overend, whose young son was caught up in the mix-up, welcomed the response from the PPTC.

In the aftermath, she wrote to the PPTC to demand an explanation.

“I questioned them on the mistakes they had made, how these errors were allowed to occur,” she said “and what processes were being put in place to ensure that these mistakes would not happen again, along with concerns regarding data protection issues,” she said in a statement.

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“I did so not only for those children whose results were altered because of the error, but for all children who sat the GL Transfer Assessment.

“I demanded answers and explanations so that confidence could be restored in this process, and with the response I have now received I believe they have.

“Lessons are to be learned from this event and thankfully the response from the Chair of the PPTC is positive, thorough and addresses all the misgivings that arose on February 1.

“Not only did the PPTC apologise,but they also explained that the error was human and was not found before the results were sent out because there were not enough checks in place.

“GL have assured me that they have now put in place a range of measures to ensure that this does not reoccur.”