Schools shake-up for Londonderry

There is speculation one of or even both St Peter's High School and Immaculate Conception College may face the axe because of falling pupil numbers.

In addition, all Catholic post-primary schools in the City are expected to be linked together in a new Derry City Foundation, which is set to have one overall director. A public consultation has been launched, which will run until May.

It is envisaged that the Foundation will be in place by 2013, by which date it is expected Catholic grammar schools will no longer use academic selection, and the plans also include a provision for all schools in Londonerry to become co-educational.

Secondary schools in Dungiven and Claudy are also expected to merge, but St Mary's in Limavady will remain a distinct entity.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education has been criticised for advising schools to follow guidance on selection which may leave them open to legal challenge.

The Governing Bodies Association (GBA) has received legal advice on the Transfer 2010 policy.

The association represents 52 voluntary grammar schools across NI.

It is understood school authorities are angry with education Minister Caitriona Ruane, who has been slammed because schools were not warned of the possible legal pitfalls of ending academic selection yet were advised by her to proceed.

Any significant change to a school's policy requires a formal development proposal and it has now emerged that dropping academic selection requires such a proposal.

However the GBA says schools were not warned about this during all the discussions on ending academic selection despite the fact that the Department of Education said it would help any school which wanted to drop academic selection.

Meanwhile, Ms Ruane said any school's application for a development proposal would be speeded through.

She said the GBA should adapt to change rather than search for obstacles.