The Coleraine based MLA has underlined his view that the solution offered by Costello and his working group does not offer a sensible way forward.

Mr. McClarty said: “Parents of P7 pupils in East Londonderry who are currently preparing for the second transfer test paper on Friday may not want to keep the Eleven Plus examinations, but a clear majority wish to retain academic selection.

“My Party is committed to keeping academic selection. Our local grammar schools have served our young people well, regardless of community or social background.”

The MLA said that while there was always room for improvement, present educational standards were excellent, although he called for more funding in our primary schools and pledged that he would continue to oppose Costello at every opportunity.

“Ulster Unionists are extremely concerned by the way the Government has ignored the views of the vast majority of parents who support academic selection. Under Direct Rule, the Labour Government, supported by the Alliance Party, SDLP and Sinn Fein, want to introduce a Comprehensive system of education into Northern Ireland.

“Never mind that such a system has failed in other parts of the UK. The Costello Plan, if introduced, will initiate ‘selection by postcode’, in other words, where a parent can afford to live, rather than a child’s ability, will determine the choice of school. A parent’s right to choose a school for his or her child will be taken away. That is why the Ulster Unionist Party opposes Costello.

“We believe that a proper system of academic selection and parental choice would combine to provide the best and fairest way of ensuring opportunity for all our children. Parents, not postcodes, should determine the best school for their children.

“My Party also supports the replacement of the Eleven Plus with pupil profiles. These would provide records of a pupil’s work and test performance, including results from standardised tests, during the later years of primary school — giving post-primary schools and parents an accurate reflection of a child’s abilities.

“I believe that our current system of education works, but we also accept that there is always room for improvement. We support all schools focusing on the essentials and making the most of each child's abilities and aptitudes — thereby allowing every child to achieve their full potential. I am also determined to fully address the problem of under-achievement, which is unfortunately increasingly prevalent in some working-class Protestant areas.

“It is absolutely vital that all our schools are well-funded, with the resources necessary to deliver a first-class education for every child. Investing more money in primary schools will ensure that all children can make the most of their potential in post-primary education. We want an education system from 4 to 18 years old in which no child is left behind.

“Ulster Unionists will strive at Stormont and Westminster to save our education system; we will strongly oppose the Costello proposals plans in a Stormont Assembly and in Parliament, and we will work to ensure that our excellent education system is strengthened, not undermined.