AQW 12379/17-22

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 31/12/2020
Answered On Date: 18/01/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to provide a copy of the exemption from COVID-19 regulations provided to AQE and PPTC by his Department or an arm's-length body of his Department.

Answer:

The transfer tests are a private arrangement between the test providers and the host schools. The host schools which operate as test centres are required to comply fully with Health Protection legislation; this includes ensuring statutory risk assessments are carried out and that all reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission of the coronavirus, including implementing the preventive and protective measures identified in those risk assessments are taken.

The legislation, not the Department, provides exemptions to the general prohibition on gatherings of more than fifteen people for specified purposes including educational purposes.

You will aware of the announcement made by AQE Ltd on 13 January to cancel its assessment which had been scheduled for 27 February citing uncertainties surrounding the easing of coronavirus restrictions. You will appreciate that this will come as a huge disappointment to many pupils and parents who have worked hard to prepare for the tests in the hope of getting into a school of their choice.

In view of that announcement the issue of risk assessments no longer arises.