Timeline of the Post-Primary Review

Autumn 1998

• Education Minister Tony Worthington, MP, commissioned research into the effects of the selective system.

September 2000

• Publication of the research report ‘The Effects of the Selective System of Secondary Education in Northern Ireland’ by Professors Gallagher (QUB) and Smith (UU).
• Following publication of the research findings, Martin McGuinness MP MLA established the independent Post-Primary Review Body, chaired by Gerry Burns, to consult widely, identify key issues and make recommendations for new post-primary arrangements.

October 2001

• ‘Education for the 21^st Century: Report by the Post-Primary Review Body’ (the Burns Report) was published for consultation. The multi-stranded consultation on this ended on 28 June 2002.

October 2002

• ‘The Review of Post-Primary Education: Report on the Responses to Consultation’ was published.

April 2003

• After the suspension of devolution, Jane Kennedy, MP, established the Post-Primary Review Working Group, chaired by Steve Costello.  The group’s task was to take account of the responses to the consultation on the Burns Report, including the diversity of views on academic selection, and provide advice on options for future arrangements.

November 2003

• The Working Group submitted its report (Costello Report) to Jane Kennedy.

January 2004

• Jane Kennedy published the advice from the Working Group, accepted its recommendations in full, including the ending of the Transfer Tests in 2008.

November 2004

• The Entitled to Succeed Programme is launched at a conference on specialist schools.

January 2005

• Barry Gardiner, MP, published a consultation document on new admissions arrangements.  The consultation ended on 30 June 2005.

December 2005

• Angela Smith, MP, announced new admissions arrangements due to come into effect after 2009, and launched a consultation on the draft Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 which ran until March 2006.  A summary report on the responses to the admissions consultation was published.

June 2006

• Maria Eagle, MP, announced that the draft Education Order had been laid before Parliament and published a report on responses to the consultation on the Order.  In recognition of the process to restore devolution, a vote by the Assembly will be required to end academic selection, provided the Assembly is restored by 24 November.

June/July 2006

• Debates in both Houses of Parliament.  The Draft Order was approved and made at the July Privy Council meeting.

November 2006

• Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006 extended the timeframe for restoration of devolution to 28 March 2007.

January 2007

• First Commencement Order made, enacting Articles 21 (from 26 January) and 35 (from 11 June).
• Sub group submits report on Schools Admission Policy. This is approved by the Committee on the Programme for Government. The report will be a matter for the restored Assembly and Executive to consider.

March 2007

• Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2007 extended the timeframe for restoration of devolution to 10 May 2007.
• Second Commencement Order was made, bringing into operation certain minor amendments and repeals following the commencement of Article 21.

May 2007

• Devolution is restored to Northern Ireland.

December 2007

• The Education Minister Caitríona Ruane made a statement to the Assembly on 4 December 2007 outlining her proposals on the future of the transfer arrangements.  The Minister's statement and the accompanying press release are available.

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