The figures, released yesterday by the Western Education and Library Board after a FoI request by the Belfast Telegraph, show that in Derry's four Grammar Schools, 20 pupils set to start the school come the new term achieved a D Grade in this year's transfer test.

At Foyle and Londonderry College, a total of 13 pupils out of an intake of 130 - 10% of all first year pupils - achieved the lowest grade in the 11 plus.

At St Columb's College, the corresponding figure stands at 4, while at Thornhill only 3 pupils start next term having achieved a D grade.
Meanwhile, of Lumen Christi's intake of 120 pupils, a total of 118 are A Grade students. The other two pupils attained a B1 in the transfer test. The Bishop Street college ranks fourth in Northern Ireland in terms of the highest percentage of A Grade students due to start in the new school year.

Across the North, a total of 280 D Grade pupils will start grammar schools in September.

Education Minister Caitriona Ruane, who met with primary school principals in Derry on Wednesday, said the high level of low grade entrants raises questions over why grammar schools want to continue with academic selection.

"Recently some grammar schools have been taking a wide ability range, including children who just a few years ago they would have turned away. "This begs the question as to why these schools need to set admissions tests at all.
"If schools follow the Transfer 2010 guidance there will be no need for any testing of 10-year-old children."

Only 54 pupils out of 130 due to start at Foyle and Londonderry College achieved an A Grade in this year's transfer test.

At Thornhill, 118 of 200 are A Grades while at St Columbs 117 A Grade students, out of a total intake of 220, will start in September.