Assembly to tackle school admissions

In the hope of tackling this issue, which raises its head at the start of each new school year, the Assembly at Stormont has agreed to allow the Education Committee to review the current arrangements.

Lagan Valley MLA Jonathan Craig has welcomed the Assembly’s endorsement of a Motion which has committed the Education Committee at Stormont to review the criteria in which primary school pupils are admitted.

“There was unanimous agreement amongst all Assembly Members, which is a clear demonstration that every party believes that the current policy of allocating schools places to pupils is flawed,” said Mr Craig. “As a member of the Board of Governors of several schools in Lisburn, I am all too aware of the frustration and disappointment from parents and pupils who fail to get a place at their chosen school, despite on many occasions, pupils living literally 100 yards from their local primary school.”

Mr Craig continued: “For many years, the lack of forward planning by the Department has seen parents and pupils run the gauntlet of the school allocation process, leaving families devastated when their child does not receive a place at the school of their choice.

“The flaws in the Department’s planning have never been more evident than when you look at the total lack of school places for the demand that there is in Lisburn North, with primary schools in the area being full to capacity.

“I will be calling on the Education Minister to listen to the concerns of the school principals, parents and children,” concluded Mr Craig.