But there was a problem when pay awards appeared to "bear no relation to performance" - a situation that "undermines trust in the whole system", he said.

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The trust said this took the form of "unjustified and significant overpayment" in relation to meals, when this was included in the weekly tariff.

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However, The Edmund Rice Schools Trust said it welcomed the statement of the Northern Catholic Bishops "setting out clearly their collective stance in relation to the ending of academic selection at this early age".

BBC: Edmund Rice Schools Trust to phase out academic selection