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From this September, all children who are transitioning from primary to post primary schools will have their end of year report card sent to their new school.

This sharing of information is aimed at ensuring that a rounded picture of children’s ability and achievement at primary school is available to their new school.

This approach will ensure continuity and progression for students and also alert secondary schools if any child will need additional support to improve their literacy and numeracy skills.

Announcing the initiative, Education Minister Ruairi Quinn said:

I believe that this sharing of information between primary and second level schools is a common sense approach that will benefit both students and teachers. This "education passport" will mean that the child’s end of year report card including results from the standardised tests taken in sixth class will be available to the second level school.

However, it is important to note that this information will only be made available to a second level school after a child has accepted a place at that school. The information cannot be used to cherry-pick the best performing pupils or to exclude those who may have learning difficulties.

In the first instance, as is always the case, parents will be given their child’s school report card by the primary school to give them a picture of how their child is progressing.

As a result of today’s announcement, each post-primary principal is now responsible for informing the principal of each primary school of the names of students for whom enrolment has been confirmed.

Read the full press release here.