Mother whose son was offered a place at Irish language school despite not speaking Gaelic slams Stormont over the transfer mess

Instead, Ms Moreland was given a list of secondary schools that may offer a place, including one in Lisburn which is miles from her home and the Irish language school.

Jack is one of 279 children who were devastated on Saturday to learn that they had failed to secure a place in the school of their choice.

He returned to his P7 class on Monday to learn that his best friends would go to the school of their choice, as he was left out.

Her mother says she is furious with Stormont. “This is a total mess caused by the inaction of our Assembly which I believe will harm children in the long run,” she said.

“This damage is something that cannot be fixed now. You can’t take away what my son felt on the weekend.

“It sends a message to Jack and the other kids that they are worthless, that hard work doesn’t pay and makes them feel unfair.

“To be made to feel that way at his age is just cruel.

“Fortunately, he’s very tough and stoic for his age, although he’s devastated, like the rest of us.

“I haven’t slept for three nights and I can’t stop crying, but now I just feel livid.”

About 23,500 children found out on Saturday which post-primary schools they would be transferred to.

Due to the pandemic, it was the first time in many years that high schools had not used transfer tests to decide who would be admitted.

The Education Authority said 85% of students have secured a place in their first-choice school, leaving around 280 children who have no place yet.

Laura, whose brother lost his wife to cancer last year, is not currently working as she helps care for her three young children.

Her husband Tommy works in administration and the couple have two other children, Daniel (7) and Amy (5).

She is one of the many now desperate parents.

His son had applied for a place at four local schools, but his first choice was Aquinas Grammar on Ravenhill Road.

Laura added, “Jack is a very intelligent kid. On his third day of elementary school, his teacher asked to see me to see if I was aware that Jack was very advanced for his age.

“He could read by going to school, he just seems to understand things naturally.

“When he was in fifth grade he was shown to be of the reading age of a 14 year old.

“I just know high school isn’t the place for him, and I’m not the snob.” I know my child and that wouldn’t suit him.

“Among the list of schools given to me was one Irish language school, and Jack never spoke or experienced Irish.

“Everything that was offered to him was totally inappropriate academically and geographically.

“There is an appeal process, but I just know it’s doomed.

“My kid is sitting without a proper school and I just want what’s right for my son. “

In addition to being academically brilliant, Jack is a talented and popular footballer, captain of the 2009 Glentoran team.

He dreams of becoming a professional footballer, but is also interested in law.

Whatever career he chooses, his parents believe that not going to the right school could have a huge impact on his choices and his chances in life.

As in many other cases, Jack missed his chance to study in high school because he does not meet the criteria to have siblings in the schools he chose, and not because of his abilities.

Laura added: “I am so angry. Not in schools or even the Education Authority, but with the Northern Ireland Assembly.

“All they’ve done is keep kicking the box since 2008, when the 11-plus was first scrapped.

“They neglected these children. They looked at them as numbers on a page and forgot that they were children.

“They made their lives worse by their actions. What they did is unforgivable.

“My son knows he has the support of his family, friends, school, soccer team and religious family.

“We are happy about that. It will give us strength for the fight that lies ahead.”

The Department of Education has been contacted for comment.