Enrolment and Admissions Policy Dec 2018
ENROLMENT and ADMISSION POLICY
(a) Title of Policy
‘Our Lady of Mercy Convent School Enrolment and Admission Policy’
(b) Introductory Statement
The Board of Management of Our Lady of Mercy Convent School hereby sets out its Enrolment and Admission Policy in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998 and the Board trusts that by so doing, parents will be assisted in relation to enrolment matters. The Chairperson of the Board of Management or the Principal Teacher will be happy to clarify any matters arising from this policy.
Decisions in relation to applications for enrolment are made by the Board of Management of the School; and the BOM of Our Lady of Mercy Convent school has operated an Enrolment and Admission policy for many years. This review has been initiated in response to changes that have been brought about by the Minister for Education and Skills on 3rd October 2018 bringing certain provisions of the Education (Admissions to School) Act 2018 into operation. The policy was reviewed by the Board using templates provide both by the CPSMA and the IPPN (Irish Primary Principals’ Network). The staff and P.A. committee were consulted and asked to appraise the policy with regard to its suitability. Patron approval was also sought and received prior to its ratification and publication.
(c) Our Mission Statement and Ethos
The Mission Statement of Our Lady of Mercy Convent School is:
To educate, encourage and celebrate our children and the wider school community as together we grow in body, mind and spirit.
Tá ár dTiarna linn.
Our school aims to provide the best possible environment to cater for the cultural, educational, moral, physical, religious social, linguistic and spiritual values and traditions of all its students. The focus of the school philosophy (and hence of policy) is the education of the whole child to reach her full potential. We show special concern for the disadvantaged, respecting the dignity and uniqueness of each person. Working together as a school community, the Board of Management, Principal, staff, parents/guardians and pupils will strive to provide an environment, which will allow all students to develop to their maximum potential and fulfil their role in society.
Furthermore, the school recognises the central role of the family as the primary educator of the child.
As a Roman Catholic school, the school models and promotes a philosophy of life inspired by a belief in God and in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; and the school provides religious education for the pupils in accordance with the doctrines, practices and tradition of the Roman Catholic Church.
(d) Rationale/Legal Framework
Section 9 (j) of the Education Act 1998 specifies, that “A recognized school shall …. subject to this Act and in particular section 15 (2) (d), establish and maintain an admissions policy which provides for maximum accessibility to the school”.
Section 15 (2) (d) states the Board of Management shall “publish …. the policy of the school concerning admission to and participation in the school and ensure that policy principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents’ choice are respected”.
Section 27 (1) states that “A board shall establish and maintain procedures for the purposes of informing students in a school of the activities of the school” and (2) that “the procedures established and maintained under subsection (1) shall facilitate the involvement of the students in the operation of the School having regard to the age and experience of the students, in association with their parents and teachers”.
The Education Welfare Act, 2000 [Section 19 (1)] requires that a Board of Management shall not refuse to admit a child except where such refusal is in accordance with the school’s Admission Policy. Section 19 (2) requires that parents must provide relevant information to the school while Section 19 (3) requires that the Board of Management, shall as soon as possible (but no later than 21 days) after receiving such information “make a decision in respect of the application concerned and inform the parent in writing thereof”
The Equal Status Act, 2000 [Sections 5 & 7 (2)] prohibits discrimination on the grounds of “gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race or
membership of the Travelling Community” regarding admission, access to programmes, participation in the school or regarding expulsion or any other sanction.
There are limited exceptions regarding single-sex schools and schools promoting particular religious values [Section 7 (3)].
(e) Aims of Policy
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.
Hence, the school shall have in place appropriate channels of communication and procedures
• To inform parents/guardians about the school, its programmes, activities, and procedures;
• To enable applications for admission to the school to be handled in an open, transparent manner;
• To put in place criteria under which applications shall be considered;
• To ensure that these criteria are informed by our Ethos, our Mission Statement & current legislation; and
• To specify what information is required by the school at the time of application.
(f) General Information Section
The School Profile
Our Lady of Mercy Convent School is a Roman Catholic Primary school in the Parish of The Assumption, Booterstown, which caters for girls from Junior Infants to 6th Class. It operates under the patronage of the Archdiocese of Dublin and recognises the rights of the patron as set out in the Education Act of 1998, section 15, (1) and (2). The school is managed by a Board of Management, is funded by the Department of Education and Skills (DES), operates within the guidelines and regulations set down from time to time by that Department and recognises that it is limited by the funding and resources available to it. Within this context, the school supports the following underlying principles:
- inclusiveness, especially with reference to the enrolment of pupils with special educational needs;
- equality of access and participation in the school;
- parental choice in relation to selection of school, having regard for the characteristic spirit of that school and subject to (i) the resources available to the school including classroom accommodation, class size, teaching resources and financial resources and (ii) the capacity of the school to provide for the needs of any applicant.
- respect for diversity: the school respects diversity of traditions, values, beliefs, language and way of life.
-
School Resources
The financial resources of the school are provided by a combination of DES grants,
voluntary contributions and fund-raising. The school is staffed in accordance with the
standard pupil – teacher ratios sanctioned by the Department and any additional
teaching hours sanctioned by the Department in respect of special needs, special
programmes etc. The implementation of the school’s enrolment and admission policy
must have due regard to the financial and teaching resources of the school.
The school follows the curricular programme prescribed by the DES, which may
be amended from time to time by the DES, in accordance with the Education Act,
(Sections 9 and 30). The capacity of the school to implement its desired curriculum, its broad range of educational programmes, its breadth of extra-curricular activities, its school plan and policies are dependent on the resources it receives. Consequently, in determining its activities and programme for any school year the school must have due regard to the teaching, management and administrative resources and the accommodation, equipment and funding available to it.
School Contact Details
Name of School: Our Lady of Mercy Convent School
Address of School: Rosemount Tce., Booterstown, Co. Dublin.
Roll no: 17970F
School contact details: Phone: (01) 2884223
E-mail: ourladyofmercy@eircom.net (office)
olomprincipal@gmail.com (principal teacher)
Website: www.ourladyofmercy.ie
School Principal: Siobhán Hanly
School Secretary: Fiona Treacy
Opening Times: 8.35 a.m. to 2.15 p.m.
(or 8.35 a.m. to 1.15 p.m. for Junior and Senior Infants)
(g) Policy Considerations
(i) The Board of Management of Our Lady of Mercy Convent School, in its Policy of Enrolment and Admission, respects the rights of the existing school community and the children already enrolled. Consequently, the BoM reserves the right to determine the maximum number of children in each class, bearing in mind:
• Health & Safety Concerns regarding Staff and Children
• Available classroom space
• Multi-grade classes
• Educational needs of the children
• Presence of children with special needs
• Department of Education & Skills class size directives
• Appropriate Supports and Resources are available
• Time of school year
(ii) The Board of Management respects parental choice in relation to enrolment, provided the enrolment criteria are fulfilled.
(iii) The school will maintain a list of refused applicants for each class, their place on that list having been determined under the criteria outlined in this policy.
(iv) Admission to the school is, of course subject to the capacity of the school to provide for the needs of those who apply for admission.
(h) Application Procedure
- In keeping with school tradition, application for enrolment to the school is made by completing the school’s preliminary application form (available from the School Office: see Appendix 1) and returning it to the School Secretary. This can be done at any time. A reminder regarding applications is issued every year in the school’s October newsletter
- However, before an application can be ‘completed’, further information will be required. This information will be requested after November 1st of the year preceding the year of ‘proposed’ enrolment.
- An application will not be treated as complete until such time as all requested information and documentation has been received (see Appendix 2: Application/Registration form, re information and documentation required). Failure to fully complete the form and/or to supply the documents requested may result in refusal to admit an applicant. These forms/documents will be date-stamped on receipt by the school.
- All completed applications are then evaluated on the basis of the criteria outlined in this policy. Following this evaluation, the Principal will make a recommendation to the BoM listing proposed enrolments for the forthcoming year. Once an enrolment list is approved by the Board, all applicants will be notified in writing within 21 days of the outcome (and if refused admission will be notified of their entitlement to appeal under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998).
- Admission of Junior Infants normally takes place on the first day of the academic year. Any child who has not reached her 4th birthday by September 1st cannot be enrolled at any time.
- As a condition of registering a child, the BoM requires her parents/guardians to confirm in writing that the Code of Behaviour so provided is acceptable to them and that they shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with such code by the child.
- As a general principle, and in so far as is practicable having regard to the school’s enrolment and admission policy, children will be enrolled on application, provided that there is space available.
(i) Enrolment Criteria
If the number of children on the list of applicants exceeds the number of places available (at any class level), the following prioritising criteria are used. The same criteria apply in our parish boys’ school (St. Mary’s BNS):
Priority
Criterion
1
Priority is given to siblings of pupils who are currently attending Our Lady of Mercy Convent School, Booterstown or St. Mary’s BNS, Booterstown and children of serving staff members,
then children of the Booterstown Parish area and Merrion Rd. parish area.
2
All other children who apply to the school are entitled to a place if there are vacancies in the school after the groups from category (1) have been allocated places.
In the event that there are more applicants within any category than there are available places, priority will be given to children within the particular category in order of age, starting with the eldest.
(j) Enrolment of children with Special Needs:
The school welcomes applications for admission of pupils with special educational needs. The school will use the personnel and financial resources provided by the DES, to make reasonable provision and accommodation for students with disabilities or special needs. The school aims to identify, at an early stage, any applicant for admission who has special needs, and to become familiar with the specific needs of the child.
In making provision for children with special needs, the school needs to know if the child has had access to:
1. A special needs assistant
2. A special class
3. Help, for specific needs, from any resource teacher
4. Assistance with behaviour modification
5. Psychological assessment
6. Any additional resources to help with special needs
7. Help in areas including visual impairment, hearing impairment, learning disability or emotional disturbance
8. Any resource in relation to travel or mobility
If an expert report is provided, it should include workable strategies for addressing the needs of the child, allowing for the resources available. If no expert report is available, the school will request immediate assessment, in order to determine the educational needs of the child.
It is the responsibility of parents / guardians of any child to inform the school of any such needs both on the preliminary application form and on the application/registration form. Failure to fully complete these forms, failure to supply any relevant information requested by the school or failure to make reasonable arrangements to meet with the school authorities to discuss the application may result in a child being refused admission to the school.
Having gathered all the relevant information available, the Board of Management will assess how the needs of the child can be met. The DES (through the SENO) will be requested in writing to provide additional resources, if such are needed. The school will meet the parents/guardians to discuss the needs of the child and the capability of the school to meet these needs. Successful applicants may also be asked to attend at the school on a given date in order to identify and plan for the educational needs of their child.
Parents or guardians of children with special needs are strongly advised to make early application to the school, to allow time to follow the procedures outlined above.
(k) Decision-making Process:
Decisions will be given in writing within 21 days of receiving a complete application.
(l) Refusal to enrol on grounds of ‘Exceptional Circumstances’:
The Board reserves the right to refuse an application for admission, as stated in the Education Act of 1998 (Section 29). This decision will only be made in exceptional cases. Such an exceptional case could arise where either:
• the pupils has needs such that, even with additional resources available from the DES, the school cannot meet such needs and/or provide the pupil with an appropriate education; or
• in the opinion of the BoM, the pupil poses an unacceptable risk to other pupils, to school staff or to school property.
(m) Right of appeal:
Parents or guardians have the right to appeal (Section 29 of the Education Act 1998) a refusal by the Board to admit their child. The Board’s decision will be given in writing and the reason for the refusal will be clearly stated. The appeal will be made to The General Secretary, Appeals Administration Unit, Department of Education and Skills, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, on the relevant form. The school must be informed in writing of the decision to appeal. The chairperson and principal teacher have responsibility for preparing the Board’s response for the Appeals Committee if and when an appeal is initiated.
(n) Transfer of Pupils from Other Schools:
Pupils from other schools may transfer into the school at any time subject to the following conditions:
- The transfer is in accordance with the school’s enrolment and admission policy.
- The school is satisfied with the reasons for the transfer.
- The transfer is in the best interest of the pupil.
- Space is available in the school to facilitate the transfer.
- The Educational Welfare Officer is consulted, if necessary.
However, the legal obligation to share information in relation to attendance and educational progress has effect only when the child transferring has been put on the register of our school.
(o) Code of Behaviour and related policy documents
When applying for admission of their child to Our Lady of Mercy Convent School, parents or guardians will receive a booklet containing the following documents:
1. The Enrolment and Admissions Policy Statement of the school;
2. The school’s Code of Behaviour; and
3. The school’s Anti-Bullying policy.
Parents/Guardians should note that the school has adopted policy statements in other areas of interest and concern, towards the best running of the school and the maximum development of the pupils. These policy statements can be accessed on the school’s website and/or in the School Office, by request. 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.
(p) Roles and responsibilities in developing and implementing this policy:
Roles of Board of Management
• To ensure that a policy is in place and that it is reviewed
• To appraise this policy with regard to its suitability and the effectiveness of its implementation and to make recommendations for improvement where appropriate.
• To ensure that there is a policy in place for promoting regular attendance at school: this statement sets out the measures the Board of Management proposes to adopt
a) For the purposes of fostering an appreciation of learning among students attending the school and
b) Encouraging regular attendance at the school on the part of all students
Role of the Principal
• To formulate draft policy in consultation with the relevant partners in education
• To monitor its implementation and to ensure that it is reviewed by the review date
• To implement the policy and to support other teaching staff in their implementation of the policy
• To apply for and acquire such resources as are available in accordance with government policies
• To ensure, within the constraints of available resources, that alternative programmes are devised where necessary and practicable to meet the needs of students
• To appraise the policy with regard to its suitability and the effectiveness of its implementation and to make recommendations for improvement where appropriate
• To ensure a register of all students attending the school is established and maintained
• To ensure that a record of attendance or non-attendance is maintained for each student registered at this school and, in the case of non-attendance, the reason for same
• Prior to registering a child, to provide the parents/guardians of an applicant with a copy of the school’s Code of Behaviour, and to encourage them to confirm in writing their acceptance of the Code and an assurance that they shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with the Code by the child
• To provide, on request, to any parent/guardian of a child registered in the school with a copy of the Code of Behaviour
• Where a child is refused admission, to advise the parents of their right of appeal, with reference to information contained in the Enrolment and Admission policy (copy provided to all applicant parents/guardians).
Role of Teaching staff
• To co-operate with the implementation of this policy
• To take the needs of all students into account in the way in which they select textbooks, plan and teach their lessons and conduct assessments
• To bring concerns about Special Needs curricular matters and information to the attention of the Principal, Deputy Principal, SEN Team
• To keep parents informed through the regular Parent / Teacher Meetings and School Reports and by meeting parents from time to time as required.
• To appraise this policy with regard to its suitability and the effectiveness of its implementation and to make recommendations for improvement where appropriate
Role of Students
• To co-operate fully with the school in the implementation of the policy
•
Role of Parents
• To support the policy and to co-operate fully with the school in its implementation
• To bring to the attention of the school authorities any concern they may have in relation to the school’s provision for the educational needs of their child
• To appraise this policy with regard to its suitability and the effectiveness of its implementation and to make recommendations for improvement where appropriate
(q) 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 of the 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
(r) Monitoring & Review
The implementations of this policy will be monitored by the Board of Management. It will also be referred by the Principal for consideration by the staff and P.A. committees at the same time. The Principal will report to the Board of Management
regarding the process of enrolment in November/December each year and regularly thereafter until enrolment is complete. Where the Principal refuses admission to any applicant, by the authority delegated to him/her by the Board in line with this policy,
any such refusal shall be communicated to the Board at the earliest opportunity. The policy will be reviewed regularly in the light of experience.
(s) Approval of the Patron
Approval of the Patron was sought for this policy of the school concerning enrolment, admission to and participation in the school.
(t) Ratification
On receipt of approval from the Patron, the revised policy was approved at a meeting of the BoM and signed by the chairperson.
(u) Communication/Circulation of Policy
This revised copy is available on-line on our website. New applicants to the school are given a hard copy. It can also be issued in hard copy on request to any parents/guardians.
This document states the Enrolment and Admission policy of our school at the present time. It may, however, be subject to adjustments and changes in the future. Such changes and adjustments will be contained in an updated version of the policy.
Signed:________________________________________
(Chairperson, Board of Management)
REVIEW Dated:_________________________________________
Proposed date of next review: September /October 2020
ENROLMENT and ADMISSION POLICY
(a) Title of Policy
‘Our Lady of Mercy Convent School Enrolment and Admission Policy’
(b) Introductory Statement
The Board of Management of Our Lady of Mercy Convent School hereby sets out its Enrolment and Admission Policy in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998 and the Board trusts that by so doing, parents will be assisted in relation to enrolment matters. The Chairperson of the Board of Management or the Principal Teacher will be happy to clarify any matters arising from this policy.
Decisions in relation to applications for enrolment are made by the Board of Management of the School; and the BOM of Our Lady of Mercy Convent school has operated an Enrolment and Admission policy for many years. This review has been initiated in response to changes that have been brought about by the Minister for Education and Skills on 3rd October 2018 bringing certain provisions of the Education (Admissions to School) Act 2018 into operation. The policy was reviewed by the Board using templates provide both by the CPSMA and the IPPN (Irish Primary Principals’ Network). The staff and P.A. committee were consulted and asked to appraise the policy with regard to its suitability. Patron approval was also sought and received prior to its ratification and publication.
(c) Our Mission Statement and Ethos
The Mission Statement of Our Lady of Mercy Convent School is:
To educate, encourage and celebrate our children and the wider school community as together we grow in body, mind and spirit.
Tá ár dTiarna linn.
Our school aims to provide the best possible environment to cater for the cultural, educational, moral, physical, religious social, linguistic and spiritual values and traditions of all its students. The focus of the school philosophy (and hence of policy) is the education of the whole child to reach her full potential. We show special concern for the disadvantaged, respecting the dignity and uniqueness of each person. Working together as a school community, the Board of Management, Principal, staff, parents/guardians and pupils will strive to provide an environment, which will allow all students to develop to their maximum potential and fulfil their role in society.
Furthermore, the school recognises the central role of the family as the primary educator of the child.
As a Roman Catholic school, the school models and promotes a philosophy of life inspired by a belief in God and in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; and the school provides religious education for the pupils in accordance with the doctrines, practices and tradition of the Roman Catholic Church.
(d) Rationale/Legal Framework
Section 9 (j) of the Education Act 1998 specifies, that “A recognized school shall …. subject to this Act and in particular section 15 (2) (d), establish and maintain an admissions policy which provides for maximum accessibility to the school”.
Section 15 (2) (d) states the Board of Management shall “publish …. the policy of the school concerning admission to and participation in the school and ensure that policy principles of equality and the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents’ choice are respected”.
Section 27 (1) states that “A board shall establish and maintain procedures for the purposes of informing students in a school of the activities of the school” and (2) that “the procedures established and maintained under subsection (1) shall facilitate the involvement of the students in the operation of the School having regard to the age and experience of the students, in association with their parents and teachers”.
The Education Welfare Act, 2000 [Section 19 (1)] requires that a Board of Management shall not refuse to admit a child except where such refusal is in accordance with the school’s Admission Policy. Section 19 (2) requires that parents must provide relevant information to the school while Section 19 (3) requires that the Board of Management, shall as soon as possible (but no later than 21 days) after receiving such information “make a decision in respect of the application concerned and inform the parent in writing thereof”
The Equal Status Act, 2000 [Sections 5 & 7 (2)] prohibits discrimination on the grounds of “gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race or
membership of the Travelling Community” regarding admission, access to programmes, participation in the school or regarding expulsion or any other sanction.
There are limited exceptions regarding single-sex schools and schools promoting particular religious values [Section 7 (3)].
(e) Aims of Policy
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.
Hence, the school shall have in place appropriate channels of communication and procedures
• To inform parents/guardians about the school, its programmes, activities, and procedures;
• To enable applications for admission to the school to be handled in an open, transparent manner;
• To put in place criteria under which applications shall be considered;
• To ensure that these criteria are informed by our Ethos, our Mission Statement & current legislation; and
• To specify what information is required by the school at the time of application.
(f) General Information Section
The School Profile
Our Lady of Mercy Convent School is a Roman Catholic Primary school in the Parish of The Assumption, Booterstown, which caters for girls from Junior Infants to 6th Class. It operates under the patronage of the Archdiocese of Dublin and recognises the rights of the patron as set out in the Education Act of 1998, section 15, (1) and (2). The school is managed by a Board of Management, is funded by the Department of Education and Skills (DES), operates within the guidelines and regulations set down from time to time by that Department and recognises that it is limited by the funding and resources available to it. Within this context, the school supports the following underlying principles:
- inclusiveness, especially with reference to the enrolment of pupils with special educational needs;
- equality of access and participation in the school;
- parental choice in relation to selection of school, having regard for the characteristic spirit of that school and subject to (i) the resources available to the school including classroom accommodation, class size, teaching resources and financial resources and (ii) the capacity of the school to provide for the needs of any applicant.
- respect for diversity: the school respects diversity of traditions, values, beliefs, language and way of life.
-
School Resources
The financial resources of the school are provided by a combination of DES grants,
voluntary contributions and fund-raising. The school is staffed in accordance with the
standard pupil – teacher ratios sanctioned by the Department and any additional
teaching hours sanctioned by the Department in respect of special needs, special
programmes etc. The implementation of the school’s enrolment and admission policy
must have due regard to the financial and teaching resources of the school.
The school follows the curricular programme prescribed by the DES, which may
be amended from time to time by the DES, in accordance with the Education Act,
(Sections 9 and 30). The capacity of the school to implement its desired curriculum, its broad range of educational programmes, its breadth of extra-curricular activities, its school plan and policies are dependent on the resources it receives. Consequently, in determining its activities and programme for any school year the school must have due regard to the teaching, management and administrative resources and the accommodation, equipment and funding available to it.
School Contact Details
Name of School: Our Lady of Mercy Convent School
Address of School: Rosemount Tce., Booterstown, Co. Dublin.
Roll no: 17970F
School contact details: Phone: (01) 2884223
E-mail: ourladyofmercy@eircom.net (office)
olomprincipal@gmail.com (principal teacher)
Website: www.ourladyofmercy.ie
School Principal: Siobhán Hanly
School Secretary: Fiona Treacy
Opening Times: 8.35 a.m. to 2.15 p.m.
(or 8.35 a.m. to 1.15 p.m. for Junior and Senior Infants)
(g) Policy Considerations
(i) The Board of Management of Our Lady of Mercy Convent School, in its Policy of Enrolment and Admission, respects the rights of the existing school community and the children already enrolled. Consequently, the BoM reserves the right to determine the maximum number of children in each class, bearing in mind:
• Health & Safety Concerns regarding Staff and Children
• Available classroom space
• Multi-grade classes
• Educational needs of the children
• Presence of children with special needs
• Department of Education & Skills class size directives
• Appropriate Supports and Resources are available
• Time of school year
(ii) The Board of Management respects parental choice in relation to enrolment, provided the enrolment criteria are fulfilled.
(iii) The school will maintain a list of refused applicants for each class, their place on that list having been determined under the criteria outlined in this policy.
(iv) Admission to the school is, of course subject to the capacity of the school to provide for the needs of those who apply for admission.
(h) Application Procedure
- In keeping with school tradition, application for enrolment to the school is made by completing the school’s preliminary application form (available from the School Office: see Appendix 1) and returning it to the School Secretary. This can be done at any time. A reminder regarding applications is issued every year in the school’s October newsletter
- However, before an application can be ‘completed’, further information will be required. This information will be requested after November 1st of the year preceding the year of ‘proposed’ enrolment.
- An application will not be treated as complete until such time as all requested information and documentation has been received (see Appendix 2: Application/Registration form, re information and documentation required). Failure to fully complete the form and/or to supply the documents requested may result in refusal to admit an applicant. These forms/documents will be date-stamped on receipt by the school.
- All completed applications are then evaluated on the basis of the criteria outlined in this policy. Following this evaluation, the Principal will make a recommendation to the BoM listing proposed enrolments for the forthcoming year. Once an enrolment list is approved by the Board, all applicants will be notified in writing within 21 days of the outcome (and if refused admission will be notified of their entitlement to appeal under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998).
- Admission of Junior Infants normally takes place on the first day of the academic year. Any child who has not reached her 4th birthday by September 1st cannot be enrolled at any time.
- As a condition of registering a child, the BoM requires her parents/guardians to confirm in writing that the Code of Behaviour so provided is acceptable to them and that they shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with such code by the child.
- As a general principle, and in so far as is practicable having regard to the school’s enrolment and admission policy, children will be enrolled on application, provided that there is space available.
(i) Enrolment Criteria
If the number of children on the list of applicants exceeds the number of places available (at any class level), the following prioritising criteria are used. The same criteria apply in our parish boys’ school (St. Mary’s BNS):
Priority
Criterion
1
Priority is given to siblings of pupils who are currently attending Our Lady of Mercy Convent School, Booterstown or St. Mary’s BNS, Booterstown and children of serving staff members,
then children of the Booterstown Parish area and Merrion Rd. parish area.
2
All other children who apply to the school are entitled to a place if there are vacancies in the school after the groups from category (1) have been allocated places.
In the event that there are more applicants within any category than there are available places, priority will be given to children within the particular category in order of age, starting with the eldest.
(j) Enrolment of children with Special Needs:
The school welcomes applications for admission of pupils with special educational needs. The school will use the personnel and financial resources provided by the DES, to make reasonable provision and accommodation for students with disabilities or special needs. The school aims to identify, at an early stage, any applicant for admission who has special needs, and to become familiar with the specific needs of the child.
In making provision for children with special needs, the school needs to know if the child has had access to:
1. A special needs assistant
2. A special class
3. Help, for specific needs, from any resource teacher
4. Assistance with behaviour modification
5. Psychological assessment
6. Any additional resources to help with special needs
7. Help in areas including visual impairment, hearing impairment, learning disability or emotional disturbance
8. Any resource in relation to travel or mobility
If an expert report is provided, it should include workable strategies for addressing the needs of the child, allowing for the resources available. If no expert report is available, the school will request immediate assessment, in order to determine the educational needs of the child.
It is the responsibility of parents / guardians of any child to inform the school of any such needs both on the preliminary application form and on the application/registration form. Failure to fully complete these forms, failure to supply any relevant information requested by the school or failure to make reasonable arrangements to meet with the school authorities to discuss the application may result in a child being refused admission to the school.
Having gathered all the relevant information available, the Board of Management will assess how the needs of the child can be met. The DES (through the SENO) will be requested in writing to provide additional resources, if such are needed. The school will meet the parents/guardians to discuss the needs of the child and the capability of the school to meet these needs. Successful applicants may also be asked to attend at the school on a given date in order to identify and plan for the educational needs of their child.
Parents or guardians of children with special needs are strongly advised to make early application to the school, to allow time to follow the procedures outlined above.
(k) Decision-making Process:
Decisions will be given in writing within 21 days of receiving a complete application.
(l) Refusal to enrol on grounds of ‘Exceptional Circumstances’:
The Board reserves the right to refuse an application for admission, as stated in the Education Act of 1998 (Section 29). This decision will only be made in exceptional cases. Such an exceptional case could arise where either:
• the pupils has needs such that, even with additional resources available from the DES, the school cannot meet such needs and/or provide the pupil with an appropriate education; or
• in the opinion of the BoM, the pupil poses an unacceptable risk to other pupils, to school staff or to school property.
(m) Right of appeal:
Parents or guardians have the right to appeal (Section 29 of the Education Act 1998) a refusal by the Board to admit their child. The Board’s decision will be given in writing and the reason for the refusal will be clearly stated. The appeal will be made to The General Secretary, Appeals Administration Unit, Department of Education and Skills, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, on the relevant form. The school must be informed in writing of the decision to appeal. The chairperson and principal teacher have responsibility for preparing the Board’s response for the Appeals Committee if and when an appeal is initiated.
(n) Transfer of Pupils from Other Schools:
Pupils from other schools may transfer into the school at any time subject to the following conditions:
- The transfer is in accordance with the school’s enrolment and admission policy.
- The school is satisfied with the reasons for the transfer.
- The transfer is in the best interest of the pupil.
- Space is available in the school to facilitate the transfer.
- The Educational Welfare Officer is consulted, if necessary.
However, the legal obligation to share information in relation to attendance and educational progress has effect only when the child transferring has been put on the register of our school.
(o) Code of Behaviour and related policy documents
When applying for admission of their child to Our Lady of Mercy Convent School, parents or guardians will receive a booklet containing the following documents:
1. The Enrolment and Admissions Policy Statement of the school;
2. The school’s Code of Behaviour; and
3. The school’s Anti-Bullying policy.
Parents/Guardians should note that the school has adopted policy statements in other areas of interest and concern, towards the best running of the school and the maximum development of the pupils. These policy statements can be accessed on the school’s website and/or in the School Office, by request. 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.
(p) Roles and responsibilities in developing and implementing this policy:
Roles of Board of Management
• To ensure that a policy is in place and that it is reviewed
• To appraise this policy with regard to its suitability and the effectiveness of its implementation and to make recommendations for improvement where appropriate.
• To ensure that there is a policy in place for promoting regular attendance at school: this statement sets out the measures the Board of Management proposes to adopt
a) For the purposes of fostering an appreciation of learning among students attending the school and
b) Encouraging regular attendance at the school on the part of all students
Role of the Principal
• To formulate draft policy in consultation with the relevant partners in education
• To monitor its implementation and to ensure that it is reviewed by the review date
• To implement the policy and to support other teaching staff in their implementation of the policy
• To apply for and acquire such resources as are available in accordance with government policies
• To ensure, within the constraints of available resources, that alternative programmes are devised where necessary and practicable to meet the needs of students
• To appraise the policy with regard to its suitability and the effectiveness of its implementation and to make recommendations for improvement where appropriate
• To ensure a register of all students attending the school is established and maintained
• To ensure that a record of attendance or non-attendance is maintained for each student registered at this school and, in the case of non-attendance, the reason for same
• Prior to registering a child, to provide the parents/guardians of an applicant with a copy of the school’s Code of Behaviour, and to encourage them to confirm in writing their acceptance of the Code and an assurance that they shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with the Code by the child
• To provide, on request, to any parent/guardian of a child registered in the school with a copy of the Code of Behaviour
• Where a child is refused admission, to advise the parents of their right of appeal, with reference to information contained in the Enrolment and Admission policy (copy provided to all applicant parents/guardians).
Role of Teaching staff
• To co-operate with the implementation of this policy
• To take the needs of all students into account in the way in which they select textbooks, plan and teach their lessons and conduct assessments
• To bring concerns about Special Needs curricular matters and information to the attention of the Principal, Deputy Principal, SEN Team
• To keep parents informed through the regular Parent / Teacher Meetings and School Reports and by meeting parents from time to time as required.
• To appraise this policy with regard to its suitability and the effectiveness of its implementation and to make recommendations for improvement where appropriate
Role of Students
• To co-operate fully with the school in the implementation of the policy
•
Role of Parents
• To support the policy and to co-operate fully with the school in its implementation
• To bring to the attention of the school authorities any concern they may have in relation to the school’s provision for the educational needs of their child
• To appraise this policy with regard to its suitability and the effectiveness of its implementation and to make recommendations for improvement where appropriate
(q) 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 of the 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
(r) Monitoring & Review
The implementations of this policy will be monitored by the Board of Management. It will also be referred by the Principal for consideration by the staff and P.A. committees at the same time. The Principal will report to the Board of Management
regarding the process of enrolment in November/December each year and regularly thereafter until enrolment is complete. Where the Principal refuses admission to any applicant, by the authority delegated to him/her by the Board in line with this policy,
any such refusal shall be communicated to the Board at the earliest opportunity. The policy will be reviewed regularly in the light of experience.
(s) Approval of the Patron
Approval of the Patron was sought for this policy of the school concerning enrolment, admission to and participation in the school.
(t) Ratification
On receipt of approval from the Patron, the revised policy was approved at a meeting of the BoM and signed by the chairperson.
(u) Communication/Circulation of Policy
This revised copy is available on-line on our website. New applicants to the school are given a hard copy. It can also be issued in hard copy on request to any parents/guardians.
This document states the Enrolment and Admission policy of our school at the present time. It may, however, be subject to adjustments and changes in the future. Such changes and adjustments will be contained in an updated version of the policy.
Signed:________________________________________
(Chairperson, Board of Management)
REVIEW Dated:_________________________________________
Proposed date of next review: September /October 2020