Enrolment Policy - St. Dominic’s N.S.
The Board of Management of St. Dominic’s N.S. wishes to bring to the attention of prospective parents of pupils the following arrangements governing the admission of children to the school. This policy is being set out in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act, 1998. The Board trusts that by so doing, parents will be assisted in relation to enrolment matters and furthermore, the Chairperson of our Board of Management, Mary Kenny, Corino, Ballymahon Co. Longford and the Principal Teacher, Fintan Farrelly, St. Dominic’s N.S., Kenagh, Co. Longford will be happy to clarify any further matters arising from the enrolment policy. Decisions in relation to applications for enrolment are made by the Board of Management of the school.
General Information
School Name: St. Dominic’s National School
School Address: Kenagh, Co. Longford.
Roll Number: 15154L
Telephone Number: (043) 3322456
Denominational Character: Catholic
Patron: Bishop Francis Duffy
At present, the teaching staff is comprised of 5 mainstream teachers, Principal- Special Education Teacher (SET), and shared Resource Teacher. Due to enrolment trends a 6th mainstream teacher will be appointed for the 2016-2017 school year. The full range of classes is taught in the school and classes are of mixed gender. School commences at 9.20 a.m. The school day finishes for Infant children at 2.00 p.m. while children in first to sixth class finish at 3.00 p.m.
A Board of Management administers the school in accordance with the Education Act 1998. The Board is comprised of two direct nominees of the Patron, two parents of children enrolled in the school (one being a mother, the other a father), elected by the general body of parents of children enrolled in the school, the Principal Teacher and one other teacher on the staff of the school and two extra members of the wider community.
The school depends on the grants and teacher resources provided by the Department of Education and Skills and we operate within the regulations laid down, from time to time, by the Department. Our school policies have regard for the resources and funding available.
Rationale
This policy aims to ensure that the appropriate procedures are in place to enable the school
The school follows the curricular programmes prescribed by the Department of Education and Skills, which may be amended from time to time, in accordance with sections 9 and 30 of the Education Act (1998)
Within the context and parameters of Department regulations and programmes, the rights of the Patron as set out in the Education Act, and the funding and resources available, the school supports the principles of:
St. Dominic’s N.S. is a community where all pupils are equally valued and respected, irrespective of gender, social background, family circumstances, educational achievement, religion, physical characteristics, intellectual functioning or disability.
Enrolment Procedures
Any parent who wishes to enrol his/her child in the school will be required to fill out an application form. The board specifies that enrolment should take place during the third term of the school year. Information in this regard will be communicated to parents through school bulletins, parish newsletter and through local newspapers.
The enrolment application form will require the following information
Decisions in relation to the applications for enrolment are made by the board of management, in accordance with school policy. The board will notify parents of their decision within 21 days after closing date for enrolment. As a general principle and in so far as practicable having regard to the school’s enrolment policy, children will be enrolled on application, provided there is space available.
The board will have regard for any relevant Department of Education and Skills guidelines in relation to class size and staffing provisions and/or any other relevant requirements concerning accommodation, including physical space and the health and welfare of children.
The board of management is bound by the Department of Education and Skill’s Rules for National Schools which provides that children may only be enrolled if they are 4 years and upwards on September 1st of the school year for which they have applied. Compulsory attendance does not apply until the age of 6 years.
In the event that applications for enrolment exceed/is expected to exceed the number of places available the following decision making process will apply. The board will exercise its discretion in the application of the following criteria:
All children enrolled are expected to comply with and support the school's Code of Behaviour, as well as the school's designated policies on Curriculum, Organisation and Management.
Junior Infants are admitted to the school generally on 1st September. Once the enrolment application is accepted, parents will be notified about an open day when they may bring the children to visit the school and the classroom for which they have enrolled. The board’s policy is flexible in that pupils may be enrolled at any time.
Parents will be provided with information on the following:
• Timetable
• Uniform
• School requisites
• Copy of the school code of discipline
• Copy of the school ethos
• Book lists
• Consent forms
• Any other relevant information
Enrolment of Children with Special Needs
In relation to applications for the enrolment of children with special needs the board of management will request a copy of the child’s medical and/or psychological report, or where such a report is not available, will request that the child be assessed immediately.
The purpose of the assessment report is to assist the school in establishing the educational and training needs of the child, relevant to his/her disability or special needs and to profile the support services required.
Following receipt of the report, the board will assess if and how the school can meet the needs specified in the report. Where the board deems further resources are required, it will, prior to enrolment, request the Department of Education and Skills to provide the resources required to meet the needs of the child as outlined in the psychological and/or medical report. These may include access to, or the provision of any or a combination of the following:
• Visiting teacher service
• Resource teacher for special needs
• Special needs assistant
• Specialised equipment or furniture
• Transport services
• Other
The school will also meet with the parents of the child to discuss the child’s needs and the school’s suitability or capability in meeting these needs. If necessary, a full-case conference involving all parties may be held and psychologist, where appropriate.
If may be necessary for the board to defer enrolment of a particular child pending:
Exceptional Circumstances
The school reserves the right to refuse enrolment to a pupil in exceptional cases.
Such an exceptional case could arise where either,
1. The pupil has special needs such that even with additional resources available, the school cannot meet such needs and / or provide the pupil with an appropriate education.
2. In the opinion of the B.O.M. the pupil poses an unacceptable risk to himself / herself, to other pupils, to school staff, or to school property.
Pupils Transferring
The board of management recognises that pupils may transfer to the school at any time, subject to school policy, available space and, in some cases, the approval of the Department of Education and Skills. It is a requirement of the board of management that information concerning attendance, the child’s educational progress and health records be communicated between schools.
Only applications on the appropriate school enrolment application form will be considered for admission. The board will consider all applications for September enrolment at its meeting held the previous April. The board reserves the right to request further information.
Completion of an application form does not guarantee the allocation of a place.
All applicants shall be informed of the board’s decision.
A subsequent review of a decision by the board may be requested, generally on the grounds only of additional information not previously submitted at the time of application.
Section 29 (1) C of the Education Act 1998 provides for procedures under which in some circumstances appeal may be made to the Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills.
Evaluation
The Board of Management will monitor the implementation of all aspects of the Policy and review and amend the Policy as required, with particular emphasis placed upon
Monitoring Procedures
The implementations of this policy will be monitored by the Board of Management at the appropriate time. It will also be referred by the Principal for consideration by the full staff at the same time. The Principal will report to the Board of Management regarding the process of enrolment in April each year and regularly thereafter until enrolment is complete. Where the Principal refuses admission to any applicant, by the authority delegated to him by the Board in line with this policy, any such refusal shall be communicated to the Board at the earliest opportunity.
Review Procedure
The policy will be reviewed regularly in the light of experience. It will be reviewed by the full staff and Board of Management annually in October. Any staff member, board member, parent, guardian or student who is unhappy with the content or the implementation of any school policy may request a review at any time and such a request will be dealt with as quickly as possible. This policy was reviewed in October 2015.
Next review of this policy will be in October 2016.
The Board of Management of St. Dominic’s N.S. wishes to bring to the attention of prospective parents of pupils the following arrangements governing the admission of children to the school. This policy is being set out in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act, 1998. The Board trusts that by so doing, parents will be assisted in relation to enrolment matters and furthermore, the Chairperson of our Board of Management, Mary Kenny, Corino, Ballymahon Co. Longford and the Principal Teacher, Fintan Farrelly, St. Dominic’s N.S., Kenagh, Co. Longford will be happy to clarify any further matters arising from the enrolment policy. Decisions in relation to applications for enrolment are made by the Board of Management of the school.
General Information
School Name: St. Dominic’s National School
School Address: Kenagh, Co. Longford.
Roll Number: 15154L
Telephone Number: (043) 3322456
Denominational Character: Catholic
Patron: Bishop Francis Duffy
At present, the teaching staff is comprised of 5 mainstream teachers, Principal- Special Education Teacher (SET), and shared Resource Teacher. Due to enrolment trends a 6th mainstream teacher will be appointed for the 2016-2017 school year. The full range of classes is taught in the school and classes are of mixed gender. School commences at 9.20 a.m. The school day finishes for Infant children at 2.00 p.m. while children in first to sixth class finish at 3.00 p.m.
A Board of Management administers the school in accordance with the Education Act 1998. The Board is comprised of two direct nominees of the Patron, two parents of children enrolled in the school (one being a mother, the other a father), elected by the general body of parents of children enrolled in the school, the Principal Teacher and one other teacher on the staff of the school and two extra members of the wider community.
The school depends on the grants and teacher resources provided by the Department of Education and Skills and we operate within the regulations laid down, from time to time, by the Department. Our school policies have regard for the resources and funding available.
Rationale
This policy aims to ensure that the appropriate procedures are in place to enable the school
- To make decisions on all applications in an open and transparent manner consistent with the Ethos, the Mission Statement of the school and legislative requirements
- To make an accurate and appropriate assessment of the capacity of the school to cater for the needs of applicants in the light of the resources available to it and
- To put in place a framework which will ensure effective and productive relations between students, parents and teachers where a student is admitted to the school
The school follows the curricular programmes prescribed by the Department of Education and Skills, which may be amended from time to time, in accordance with sections 9 and 30 of the Education Act (1998)
Within the context and parameters of Department regulations and programmes, the rights of the Patron as set out in the Education Act, and the funding and resources available, the school supports the principles of:
- Inclusiveness, particularly with regard to any child who has a disability or any special educational need
- We would hope to provide equal access and participation for all children who enrol in our school
- We recognise that parents have a choice with regard to where they enrol their children
- We respect the diversity of values, beliefs, traditions, languages and ways of life of the children who attend our school and of the families from whom they come
St. Dominic’s N.S. is a community where all pupils are equally valued and respected, irrespective of gender, social background, family circumstances, educational achievement, religion, physical characteristics, intellectual functioning or disability.
Enrolment Procedures
Any parent who wishes to enrol his/her child in the school will be required to fill out an application form. The board specifies that enrolment should take place during the third term of the school year. Information in this regard will be communicated to parents through school bulletins, parish newsletter and through local newspapers.
The enrolment application form will require the following information
- Pupil’s name, address and age
- Copy of birth certificate to be enclosed
- Names and addresses of pupil’s parents/guardians
- Background information
- Contact telephone numbers
- Contact telephone numbers in case of emergency
- Details of any medical information which the school should be aware of
- Religion;
- Previous schools attended, if any and reason for transfer where applicable,
- Primary Online Database (POD) information – PPSN number, Nationality, written parental consent to share level 2 data (Ethnic or cultural background and Religion with DES)
- Any additional information which may help us to meet the child’s needs in school (including any such other information as may be prescribed under the Education Welfare Act 2000)
Decisions in relation to the applications for enrolment are made by the board of management, in accordance with school policy. The board will notify parents of their decision within 21 days after closing date for enrolment. As a general principle and in so far as practicable having regard to the school’s enrolment policy, children will be enrolled on application, provided there is space available.
The board will have regard for any relevant Department of Education and Skills guidelines in relation to class size and staffing provisions and/or any other relevant requirements concerning accommodation, including physical space and the health and welfare of children.
The board of management is bound by the Department of Education and Skill’s Rules for National Schools which provides that children may only be enrolled if they are 4 years and upwards on September 1st of the school year for which they have applied. Compulsory attendance does not apply until the age of 6 years.
In the event that applications for enrolment exceed/is expected to exceed the number of places available the following decision making process will apply. The board will exercise its discretion in the application of the following criteria:
- Whether there are siblings of the proposed new entrant already attending the school;
- Ages of the children;
- Parish boundaries/Diocesan policies;
- First come, first served;
- Children of staff members;
- Lottery;
- Any specific provision for children of ethnic minorities, including travellers, refugees, asylum seekers etc.;
- Ethos consideration (Equal Status Act/Section 7)
All children enrolled are expected to comply with and support the school's Code of Behaviour, as well as the school's designated policies on Curriculum, Organisation and Management.
Junior Infants are admitted to the school generally on 1st September. Once the enrolment application is accepted, parents will be notified about an open day when they may bring the children to visit the school and the classroom for which they have enrolled. The board’s policy is flexible in that pupils may be enrolled at any time.
Parents will be provided with information on the following:
• Timetable
• Uniform
• School requisites
• Copy of the school code of discipline
• Copy of the school ethos
• Book lists
• Consent forms
• Any other relevant information
Enrolment of Children with Special Needs
In relation to applications for the enrolment of children with special needs the board of management will request a copy of the child’s medical and/or psychological report, or where such a report is not available, will request that the child be assessed immediately.
The purpose of the assessment report is to assist the school in establishing the educational and training needs of the child, relevant to his/her disability or special needs and to profile the support services required.
Following receipt of the report, the board will assess if and how the school can meet the needs specified in the report. Where the board deems further resources are required, it will, prior to enrolment, request the Department of Education and Skills to provide the resources required to meet the needs of the child as outlined in the psychological and/or medical report. These may include access to, or the provision of any or a combination of the following:
• Visiting teacher service
• Resource teacher for special needs
• Special needs assistant
• Specialised equipment or furniture
• Transport services
• Other
The school will also meet with the parents of the child to discuss the child’s needs and the school’s suitability or capability in meeting these needs. If necessary, a full-case conference involving all parties may be held and psychologist, where appropriate.
If may be necessary for the board to defer enrolment of a particular child pending:
- the receipt of an assessment or report and/or
- the provision of appropriate resources by the Department of Education and Skills to meet the needs specified in the psychological and/or medical report.
Exceptional Circumstances
The school reserves the right to refuse enrolment to a pupil in exceptional cases.
Such an exceptional case could arise where either,
1. The pupil has special needs such that even with additional resources available, the school cannot meet such needs and / or provide the pupil with an appropriate education.
2. In the opinion of the B.O.M. the pupil poses an unacceptable risk to himself / herself, to other pupils, to school staff, or to school property.
Pupils Transferring
The board of management recognises that pupils may transfer to the school at any time, subject to school policy, available space and, in some cases, the approval of the Department of Education and Skills. It is a requirement of the board of management that information concerning attendance, the child’s educational progress and health records be communicated between schools.
Only applications on the appropriate school enrolment application form will be considered for admission. The board will consider all applications for September enrolment at its meeting held the previous April. The board reserves the right to request further information.
Completion of an application form does not guarantee the allocation of a place.
All applicants shall be informed of the board’s decision.
A subsequent review of a decision by the board may be requested, generally on the grounds only of additional information not previously submitted at the time of application.
Section 29 (1) C of the Education Act 1998 provides for procedures under which in some circumstances appeal may be made to the Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills.
Evaluation
The Board of Management will monitor the implementation of all aspects of the Policy and review and amend the Policy as required, with particular emphasis placed upon
- Effective management placed on application process
- Clarity and transparency relating to the process
- Applicants informed in good time re the status of their application, particularly in the case of refusal to enrol
- Positive Parental feedback
Monitoring Procedures
The implementations of this policy will be monitored by the Board of Management at the appropriate time. It will also be referred by the Principal for consideration by the full staff at the same time. The Principal will report to the Board of Management regarding the process of enrolment in April each year and regularly thereafter until enrolment is complete. Where the Principal refuses admission to any applicant, by the authority delegated to him by the Board in line with this policy, any such refusal shall be communicated to the Board at the earliest opportunity.
Review Procedure
The policy will be reviewed regularly in the light of experience. It will be reviewed by the full staff and Board of Management annually in October. Any staff member, board member, parent, guardian or student who is unhappy with the content or the implementation of any school policy may request a review at any time and such a request will be dealt with as quickly as possible. This policy was reviewed in October 2015.
Next review of this policy will be in October 2016.