You will be aware that I am retiring from my post in mid-January.  I write to thank you for all the support that you have given me over my years as Principal.  My successor is Mr Robert Wilson, currently Vice Principal of Cambridge House Grammar School and I know he is looking forward to taking up the challenge of leading the school. 

I wish to inform you of our plans for transfer of pupils in September 2010, information that will be of interest to P6 pupils and their parents.  My Board of Governors has resolved that we will be one of 30 schools forming the Association of Quality Education, AQE.  This Association will provide assessment papers on Saturday mornings in November 2009 which your P6 pupils are invited to sit.  Details of assessment papers may be found on the AQE website, www.aqe.org.uk.  You will see that the papers will be similar to those currently used for the 11+ test with the exception that there will be no Science questions.  They will focus on English and Mathematics.

The tests will be available in Limavady Grammar or in other centres including Foyle and Londonderry College and Coleraine Academical Institution.  Prospective applicants may choose any centre and use the result to apply to whichever school they wish.  Application for schools will be through the WELB as at present and the criteria for admission to Grammar Schools mentioned will be similar to that currently used.

While details are not finalised it is envisaged that schools offering the test will allow access on a Saturday prior to the test day to allow pupils to acclimatise themselves to the school hall.  It is my intention, and that of my successor to keep you fully informed of developments and of final details when the test dates approach.  Many of these details will be available on the AQE website so I strongly advise you to check it regularly.  In the meantime please feel free to contact me for any clarification which you need regarding transfer.

Once again thank you for your personal support over the years.

Dr. S. J. McGuinness