Parents of children who recently sat the new transfer tests for post-primary education have expressed their concern and confusion surrounding the different admissions criteria for the city's grammar schools.
One parent contacted the Journal to say that despite the fact her son had received an A grade in the exam, she was concerned he still would not get a place in Lumen Christi College based on their criteria. Lumen Christi bases offers of places to pupi
ls on their standardised scores and not solely on which grade they received.
Another parent who hopes to send her daughter to Lumen Christi said: “I question the admisson criteria now being processed by Catholic grammar schools. Lumen will only accept scores while Thornhill College accepts all A grades. How fair is this?”
However a spokesperson for Lumen Christi invited parents to visit the school’s website where the admission criteria have been outlined for some time.
“We have always been subscribed and it has never been the case that an A grade assures a place at Lumen Christi - even with the 11 Plus.”
The school principal, Pat O’Doherty, added: “Now that parents have received the assessment outcomes from both AQE and GL, they will be able to consult with the principals of their child’s primary school for advice regarding applications to post-primary schools.
“Parents seeking a grammar school place for their child should look carefully at the admissions criteria of each school before completing the Transfer Form since some are selecting on the basis of grades and others on mark scores.
“We have already held an Open Day last week for parents considering applying to Lumen Christi and are happy to advise any parents wishing to apply to us regarding matters arising from the issue of results.”
