Grammar schools in the North have launched a new phase in their campaign to retain the controversial 11-plus transfer tests which determine whether pupils attend grammar or secondary schools.
The schools' Governing Bodies Association (GBA) yesterday launched its "Education First" strategy, which has received the backing of the former head of the North's Civil Service and former victims' commissioner, Sir Kenneth Bloomfield.
Sir Kenneth said Northern pupils' ability to secure places at prestigious universities should not be undermined by tinkering with the current system.
"We will not strengthen our education system by wrecking that element of it which reflects decades, indeed in some cases centuries, of experience."
The GBA's chairman, Mr Finbar McCallion, said while he accepted the 11-plus exam in its current shape would have to be abolished, a suitable alternative had to be found.
"It is incumbent upon the main interests in this debate that we all have a responsibility to assist in the development of an alternative one which best matches our children with the most appropriate education," he added.
Also present at the launch was the Chamber of Commerce's chief executive, Mr John Stringer, who called on the Education Minister, Mr Martin McGuinness, to admit that the Burns Report on the future of post-primary education, which recommends an end to academic selection, had "serious weaknesses".