AQE transfer test to be held in February

A single AQE transfer test will be held next month, it has been announced.

The board of AQE said the exam will take place on Saturday 27 February, "provided it can take place in public health circumstances then prevailing".

It said the decision had been made following a meeting with schools.

Earlier, the private company had announced that it would not be going ahead with planned post-primary transfer tests this weekend and on 16 and 23 January.

A statement from the board of AQE said it "remains acutely aware of the pressure on pupils, parents and teachers" amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"In view of the temporary cessation of face-to-face teaching announced on 4 January, the Board considers that a postponement of the Common Entrance Assessment (CEA) is now necessary," it added.

"Following a meeting with the schools which use the CEA, produced by AQE Limited, it has been agreed that to enable the assessment to take place in the current circumstances, the assessment will be reduced to a single paper to be held on Saturday 27 February, provided it can take place in public health circumstances then prevailing."

Following the announcement, Sinn Féin deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill tweeted: "Shame on AQE for proceeding with this transfer test.

"They told children this morning there would be no test and then this evening they say there will be a test.

"A private company putting its needs before the needs of the children. Education minister must act now."

Meanwhile, following a meeting on Tuesday, the Executive has announced that schools here are to continue remote learning until the mid-term break - but there was no clarity on whether exams such as the A-levels and GCSEs will go ahead.

The education minister said special schools will remain open as normal, and vulnerable children and children of key workers will have access to schools for supervised learning.

Direct payments will be made to families whose children are entitled to free school meals while they are off.

Childcare settings will remain open and childminders are allowed to continue their provision.

Peter Weir said: "Any disruption to schooling for a significant period of time will have a devastating impact on children's educational opportunities and future prospects, as well as being damaging to their mental health and wellbeing.

"No matter how well managed or provided, removal of face to face learning and its replacement with remote learning impacts on children's educational experience, with a disproportionate impact on disadvantaged groups and vulnerable children.

"It should, therefore, be only contemplated as a last resort in extreme public health circumstances such as we are currently facing, and should be maintained for a period no longer than is necessary."

Meanwhile, in an update on upcoming vocational qualification exams and assessments, the economy minister said there would be "further flexibilities" for January exams.

Diane Dodds said: “In conjunction with my Ministerial colleagues in England and Wales, we have therefore agreed that further flexibilities will be put in place for the January exams and assessments, particularly in relation to BTecs.

"Learning centres, including further education colleges, schools and training providers, will be afforded additional discretion to determine whether it is appropriate for learners to sit the scheduled BTec exams in January, taking into consideration a range of factors including health and safety and the personal circumstances of their learners.

“I wish to provide an assurance that no learner will be disadvantaged if they are not in a position to sit the January exams and they will be able to take the exams at a later date, or if that is not possible, alternative arrangements will be put in place by their learning centre / awarding organisation."