TWO Fermanagh Grammar schools have announced today (Friday, April 23) that they will not be using transfer tests for the 2022-23 academic year.

A joint statement released by Mount Lourdes and St. Michael's College said: "The Trustees, Boards of Governors and Principals of Mount Lourdes Grammar School and St. Michael’s College have considered the impact of school closures on our local community.

"They recognise that there has been significant disruption to the education of pupils since March, 2020, and understand that there may be further disruption for children throughout the remainder of the 2021-22 academic year and beyond.

“The respective Boards of Governors are particularly aware of the impact of school closure on the current P6 pupils who were also affected by school closure as P5 pupils.

"The Boards of Governors, and Principals, have agreed in light of the current circumstances that neither school will use outcomes from the GL Entrance Assessment as part of their Admissions Criteria for the academic year 2022-23.

“Pupils applying to these schools will not be required to provide a GL Entrance Assessment result."

The suspension is in response to the circumstances which the coronavirus pandemic has presented.

Admissions criteria will be amended by both schools and published by the Education Authority, and those who would normally apply to be admitted are encouraged to continue to do so.