Choosing a post-primary school

The Department of Education (DE) has published advice for parents of P7 children to guide them through the process of choosing a post-primary school.

Transfer 2012

The Advice for Parents leaflet sets out the main steps in the Transfer 2012 process. It explains the role of parents and what they can do to help their child transfer to post-primary school. It also suggests how parents can prepare for this process leading to completion of a Transfer Form by a specified date in February.

There are many factors parents need to consider, including:

the type of school best suited to the child
the pattern of applications to schools in previous years
how schools will select children if they have too many applicants
the range of examinations taken at schools and success levels

The leaflet also outlines for parents the role of the Transfer Booklets published by the education and library boards.

Transfer Form

Transfer Forms are distributed to parents/guardians via their child’s primary school. Parents are advised to obtain prospectuses from the schools they are interested in for their children and are encouraged to visit the schools during their open days.

Parents are advised to list at least three post-primary schools in order of preference. The information provided about the child on the Transfer Form will be what a school will use to see if the child meets its admissions criteria.