At a special event organised by the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Education the Department of Education’s proposals for Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Inclusion came under scrutiny. The policy proposals, which are currently under public consultation, have led an unprecedented number of parents and organisations representing children to write to the Committee expressing concern. [...]

The panel were asked if they agreed with the Education Minister’s assertion that improving social equality was a valid reason to end academic selection. Mervyn Storey of the DUP said he found the Minister’s preoccupation with this issue regrettable as many schools in deprived areas opted out of transfer testing, thereby distorting pass/fail rates. He [...]