Pupils too ill to sit transfer exam could seek special consideration
TRANSFER test provider AQE has offered pupils affected by the norovirus a potential exam lifeline.
At least nine schools across Northern Ireland have closed this week due to an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug.
Schools have had to shut their doors in order to carry out a deep clean in a bid to banish the infection and prevent its spread.
One school, Bangor Academy, has seen half of its 1,600 pupils call in sick. Other schools have reported issues with staffing levels due to the outbreak.
There is concern scores of Primary 7 pupils who were due to sit transfer tests today may be unable to because of the bug.
AQE, which sets one of the two transfer tests in Northern Ireland, said pupils who are unable to sit the exam due to illness can apply for a “special circumstances” claim, which is taken into account when applying to their chosen post-primary school.
“We are extremely sorry that a number of children are sick due to the norovirus and we wish a speedy recovery to all those concerned,” AQE chief executive Darrin Barr said. “If children are suffering from symptoms of the virus they should not put themselves or others at risk by sitting the test on Saturday.
“The AQE model of three assessments being available and the two best marks used to produce a final score allows children to achieve a standardised score for application to grammar schools on the basis of sitting two tests.
“If a child is sick during any of the tests then the parent can consider applying for special circumstances.
“Details of how to apply for special circumstances are available in grammar schools’ admissions criteria which can be accessed on the Education Authority website.”
The Post Primary Transfer Consortium (PPTC) runs the GL assessment.
It said a supplementary entrance assessment is held in early December to accommodate pupils who miss an exam.