Transfer tests could have ‘long lasting impact’

Professor Siobhan O’Neill said there is evidence which shows the type of stress and pressure primary school age children are under ‘may well increase their risk of developing mental illness in later life’.

She added that given the added stress of the global pandemic, more children are presenting with anxiety and symptoms of depression.

Professor O’Neill said that parents of 10-year-old children have been in contact with her, in her role as Mental Health Champion, expressing concern about the potential impact of Transfer Tests on their child’s mental health.

“Some of the stories from families of 10-year-old’s I am hearing are really frightening. I don’t want to sensationalise it. Most young people sitting these tests will probably be OK, but for a group of these children these tests will be really, really stressful and place them at higher risk of developing mental illness and impact their educational attainment throughout their life span.

“These tests are an unnecessary form of pressure and stress. At a time of immense pressure and stress that we can’t control due to the pandemic, these tests are something that we can control. It is a choice.

“There will be alternative arrangements and entrance criteria used for those children who are required to self-isolate, so I would argue create a level playing field and use the same criteria for all the children,” she added.

She said that adults and schools need to prioritise the mental health of children.

“Schools have claimed to care about children’s well being and proceeding with Transfer Tests is inconsistent with that ethos.”

The professor commended those schools, including a number in Derry, who have already decided to use alternative entrance criteria next year.

“A lot of schools in the city have made alternative arrangements for next year, demonstrated great leadership and have shown that they prioritise children’s mental health. That is something that we will all remember going forward.”

The professor has also joined forces with the Children’s Commissioner Koulla Yiasouma to call for GCSEs and A’Levels to be scrapped in 2021.

“We have spoken to lots of young people who are doing continuous evaluation and also facing the exams themselves. It is double pressure. All the evidence shows those exams are really stressful for young people.

“There is more resilience in that older age group, but they’re talking more about the effect on them.”

She said given the continuous assessments being carried out there is ‘no major benefit’ in pressing ahead with the exams. “At the very least there needs to be concessions made given all the challenges the young people have faced this year,” she said, adding:

“That is what the young people want themselves and they have been telling us that.”