Home   News   National   Article

Pupils preparing for exams could return to school in Northern Ireland in August

PA News
Education minister Peter Weir has outlined plans for a phased reopening of schools (Kelvin Boyes/PressEye/PA)

Schools in Northern Ireland could reopen to pupils preparing for exams in the third week of August, the education minister said.

Those studying for major public tests and transfer from primary to post-primary schools would be among the first to return to classes under an envisaged phased reopening, Peter Weir said.

All children are intended to restart classes on a phased basis, involving a mixture of physical attendance and remote learning, in September if enough progress is made in curbing coronavirus.

Exams for entrance to post-primary schools are due to be held two weeks later this autumn to allow more time for primary teachers to catch up on lost lesson time since the lockdown halted teaching in March.

Mr Weir said: “This will not be a return to school as it was prior to Covid, but rather a new normal reflective of social distancing and a medically safe regime.

“For all pupils it will involve a schedule with a mixture of school attendance and remote learning at home.”

Subject to medical guidance and safety, it will be his aim to see a phased reopening of schools, beginning with a limited provision for “key cohort” years in late August, followed by phased provision for all pupils at the beginning of September.

Mr Weir added: “Finally, in line with the Executive strategy, contingent upon medical guidance and scientific evidence around susceptibility and transmission, consideration may be given to a full return for cohorts of younger pupils.”

He said any social distancing required would be put in place using the advice of medical experts.

“The key determinant will be what is safe and whether social distancing can be put in place,” he said.

“We think that that will be easier for pupils than at present and also be helpful towards parents.”

He gave evidence to an ad-hoc committee of Assembly members at Stormont examining the powersharing Government’s coronavirus response.

Private providers have decided to press ahead with academic selection among P7 pupils seeking entry to grammar schools, with a slightly delayed schedule.

Catholic archbishop Eamon Martin has supported calls for the exams to be suspended this year in the best interests of children.

If transfer tests were delayed until after Christmas to allow more time for preparation, it could be October before appeals are complete, well into the new academic year, Mr Weir said.

He added that sort of time frame is not acceptable and scrapping them altogether would create a void.

“If the tests are done there will be a period of a number of weeks before the results are available.

“There is always a degree of challenge and difficulties.”

Alliance Party Assembly member Chris Lyttle said he has been inundated with concerns from parents related to the impact of the pandemic.

“This is about thousands of 10 and 11-year-old children across Northern Ireland and their best interests.”

SDLP Assembly member Daniel McCrossan said holding tests is unfair.

Mr Weir said up to 24,000 devices will be loaned to more vulnerable and deprived pupils for remote learning over the next few months.

At present 1,500 vulnerable children and those of key workers are undergoing supervised learning every day at 450 schools, helped by 2,000 teachers and educational staff.

The minister added: “This is the biggest public health crisis we have faced in living memory and the Executive’s priority is to help keep people safe and to support those who have faced real hardship.”

An extra seven deaths involving Covid-19 were announced by Northern Ireland’s Health Department on Thursday, bringing the total to 501.

An extra 42 people tested positive for the virus, bringing the total to 4,481.


Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More