MORE than 600 children in year six at primary schools had to resit part of their selection examination for Skipton's two grammar schools yesterday (Thursday).

The error arose after a local head teacher made a mistake over the times allowed for part of the test.

The mistake was put down to a genuine human error over the procedure for the non-verbal reasoning.

Normally 50 minutes are allowed in total for the test, which is in four parts, with varying amounts of time for each set of questions.

The head teacher realised the error after conducting the test and informed the education authorities.

However, the tests could not have come at a worse time given the fact that the future of the selective system has been thrown once more into the political arena.

The tests cream off the top 23 per cent of local schoolchildren who are awarded a place at Ermysted's Grammar or Skipton Girls' High, with borderline cases resitting the examination. Further places are allocated according to an appeals procedure, with around 28 per cent of pupils from the Skipton vicinity being awarded a place.

News of the resit was sent out to parents last Friday, and several worried parents have contacted the Herald to speak of the distress caused.

Glenn Allgood, at North Yorkshire education department, said any distress or inconvenience caused was deeply regretted. "We have looked at this at some length and to see if there is a need for all of the children to be tested again," he said.

"After taking recommendations and advice from the National Foundation for Educational Research (the body which produces and marks the tests) there was no way that this can be resolved and be fair to every child without re-testing all of them."

Those children deemed to be in the border zone were due to retake the test today (Friday) and the authority has admitted that the timetable will be put back, with border zone tests now taking place early in the New Year.

"We aim to advise all parents by January 15 if their child is deemed suitable or not for the grammar school," said Mr Allgood.

Despite the delay the authority still aims to meet its original deadline of informing all parents of their child's school next autumn by March 5.

"It is all terribly unfortunate and you can imagine how the head teacher feels about it but we have to do what will be fair to all children," said Mr Allgood.

Robert Heseltine, vice-chairman of North Yorkshire County Council's education committee, said he accepted it was an error by a highly competent and well respected head teacher who had not been well on the day of the test.

"The incident will obviously have led to an increased level of stress for some children. The instructions on this aspect of the procedure will be reworded so hopefully these circumstances never happen again," said Coun Heseltine.

He added that appeals on places at the two grammar schools would be treated fairly and with an even greater degree of compassion.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.