HALF of Derry city's grammar schools have scrapped this winter's entrance exams - but children still face sitting several test papers.
Thornhill College for girls and the all boys St Columb's College are the latest to agree to suspend academic selection for one year.
This brings to 12 the total number that have called off their 11-plus-style tests. All but one are Catholic schools.
The two other Derry grammars - Lumen Christi College and Foyle College, which admits a high number of Catholic children - are yet to make similar decisions.
This means pupils who apply for Thornhill or St Columb's will likely still take exams, as parents typically list several schools on transfer forms.
All public examinations have been cancelled due to Covid-19 causing significant disruption to schools, but the 11-plus series is scheduled to proceed.
The tests are operated by two private companies who are facing a growing swell of opposition - from parents, politicians, unions, principals and Church leaders.
Parents are concerned that their children have missed too much school during the lockdown and will be ill-prepared.
There is also no guarantee that all P7s will start back at the same time.
With `big hitters' in major towns and cities abandoning selection, attention has now turned to Belfast.
Schools in Newry, Enniskillen and Omagh have already agreed to use non-academic entrance criteria.
Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown had sent a letter to grammar schools in the city urging them to end academic selection.
In a joint letter to parents, the governors and principals of St Columb's and Thornhill agreed having "reflected carefully on the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 crisis".
"There could very well be further disruption for Primary 7 pupils during the first term of the 2020/21 academic year," they added.
"In response to these exceptional circumstances, and for one year only, both schools have agreed that they will not use academic criteria for admission to Year 8 for September 2021."
While the letter specified it was "for one year only" there is pressure on St Columb's and other grammar schools to end the practice permanently.
For the last two years, the boys' school has failed to fill all its Year 8 places meaning pupils are winning places regardless of their entrance exam grade.
"Each school remains committed to its own individual Catholic ethos and values and will continue to provide high quality teaching and learning, coupled with the highest standards of pastoral care," the letter added.
"All those young people who would normally apply to be admitted to each individual school are strongly encouraged to do so."
The move has been welcomed roundly by parents, politicians and those working in education.
Marie Lindsay, principal of St Mary's College in Derry said it was "the right decision".
"Great to see these local schools responding to the plight of P6 pupils and their families," she said.
