Ulster Unionist Education spokesperson Danny Kinahan MLA has called on the Education Minister John O’Dowd to end his party’s attacks on the Grammar sector and to work instead on how best to share their excellence with other schools and on how to resolve the current impasse regarding academic selection and the transfer process.

Mr Kinahan said

"I make no apology for reiterating the need to end the toxic debate around Grammar Schools and to work constructively to find a way forward out of the current mess.

“Quite simply, attacks on Grammar Schools must end. This is a sector which has consistently proven it can deliver excellence in terms of results and a broader education. It is time to act constructively and work with the Grammar sector and share their excellence with other neighbouring schools.

“When it comes to selection, whilst the eleven plus itself is not necessarily the most appropriate method of selecting pupils, answer, the Ulster Unionist Party supports the principle of selection and we are open to engaging in a genuine debate on this issue. This debate needs to include many areas such as the age when selection happens vis a vis the Dickson Plan, the present mixture of exams from AQE and GL, and of course what each pupil is being assessed on whether it is academic, vocational or any other necessary life skills.

“Sinn Fein has controlled the Education Ministry since devolution was restored to Stormont. Their legacy thus far has been one of failure and an ideological crusade against Grammar Schools.

“Clearly Grammar Schools are popular with many parents and deliver for many pupils. It is long past time Sinn Fein ended their war on Grammar Schools and instead devoted their energies to working to agree a way to provide a range of educational options for pupils and parents.”