Transfer test concern

Grammar schools - outside of the Dickson Plan area - operated their own exams last year to select pupils following the end of the state-sponsored 11-plus.

Many of the primary schools across Lurgan and Craigavon had small numbers of pupils sitting the tests.

Some 14,000 children were to receive their results on Saturday, however, a mix-up by the Royal Mail meant some letters were delayed in Craigavon.

Principals met with parents of the children who sat the exams on Monday to discuss their options.

Peter O'Loan, principal of Tannaghmore Primary School said the system had problems from the outset: "I am angry at the way it has been handled.

"We had 13 pupils involved in the test who all went to Newry to take the exam.

"Last Friday I asked for our pupils' results to be emailed to me, so that I could prepare for parent interviews this week.

"But they just said they did not have the facility for making principals aware of results - to me that's just unprofessional.

"It has meant that parents have been coming to me with their child's result and it is the first I hear about it."

He went on: "Out of our 115 pupils we had 13 doing the test, so it wasn't such a big issue.

"But the whole process has been badly handled from the start."

Brian Jess, principal at Carrick Primary said poor communication had undermined the process.

He added: "There was no clear communication to schools or any real indication of what the results mean.

"This system benefits those who can afford coaching and to pay for the test themselves.

"I am just glad that the majority of our pupils' parents decided not to take the test, demonstrating overwhelming support for the Dickson Plan and the many excellent schools in our area."

Problems also arose when the results were not delivered to anxious parents on Saturday.

The Royal Mail issued an apology following problems delivering to homes in the Craigavon area.