Secondary Schools (Admissions Criteria) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997

Matters not to be included in the criteria

5.  The criteria to be applied in selecting children for admission to a school shall not include the following matters—

(a) provision for the selection of children of compulsory school age by reference to ability or aptitude, except in the case of—

(i) a grammar school;

(ii) a school which on 5th September 1994 was recognised by the Department as one which selects some of its pupils by reference to ability or aptitude; or

(iii) a school for which a development proposal is approved by the Department under Article 14 of the 1986 Order and which enables that school to select some of its pupils by reference to ability or aptitude;

(b) in the case of the admission of children in the relevant age group to a grammar school, the outcome of any relevant assessment which may be conducted by the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment unde Article 21(1)(b) of the 1989 Order in relation to a pupil in key stage 2;

(c) in the case of the admission to a grammar school of children in the relevant age group who have the same transfer procedure test grade, provision for selection on the basis of information provided by a primary school principal about a child’s classroom performance other than information which is—

(i) relevant to the consideration by the Board of Governors of medical or other problems which may have affected a child’s performance in a test; and

(ii) supported by documentary evidence of a medical or other appropriate nature.