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ENROLMENT / ADMISSION POLICY
ST. ANNE'S N.S. SHANKILL
Introduction
The enrolment of pupils in St. Anne's N.S. is at the discretion of the Board of Management (BOM) and operates in accordance with Rules for National Schools and other relevant circulars, amendments and regulations as decreed by the Department of Education & Science.
This policy explains the admission procedures prepared by the BOM, as stated in the Education Act, 1998.
General Information about the School
St. Anne's N.S.
Stonebridge Road
Shankill
Dublin 18
Tel / Fax 01 282 5565
St. Anne's N.S. is a Roman Catholic school under the patronage of the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin. It opened in 1961. It is a mixed (boys and girls) school with the full stream of classes (Junior Infants to 6th class) being taught. At present, there are twenty-five teachers on staff, Principal, nineteen Class Teachers, Learning Support Teachers and Special Needs Resource Teachers.
School opens at 8.50 a.m. and closes at 2.30 p.m., except for Junior and Senior Infants for whom school closes at 1.30 p.m.
The school is funded by the grants, which are paid to the Board of Management by the Department of Education and Science (DES) and by other agencies and the school operates within the rules and regulations set by the DES. St. Anne's N.S. follows the curricular programmes prescribed by the DES which may be amended form time to time in accordance with Sections 9 and 30 of the Education Act 1998.
Half an hour per day is allocated to the teaching of the Catholic religion programmes including the preparation of the children for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Alive O is the religion programme used in St. Anne's N.S.
Enrolment / Admission Policy
Section A
The enrolment policy is set out:
(a) In accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998
(b) Taking into account the rights of the Patron as set out in the above Act
(c) Within the context and parameters of the DES regulations and programmes
and
(d) Bearing in mind the funding, facilities and resources available.
Under this policy, no child is refused enrolment / admission to the school on the grounds of disability, special educational needs, gender, ethnicity, family or social circumstances, traveller status, religious / political beliefs, language, asylum seeker / refugee status.
The school supports the principles of:
Ø Inclusiveness, particularly with reference to the enrolment of children with a disability or special educational need
Ø Equality of access and participation in the school
Ø Parental choice in relation to enrolment
Ø Respect for the diversity of values, beliefs, traditions, language and ways of life in society.
While recognising the rights of parents to enrol their child in the school of their choice (Education Act 1998, Section 15:2), the Board of Management equally strives to respect the rights of the children already enrolled. This requires the Board of Management making balanced judgements guided by the principles of natural justice and the best interests of all children being taken into account.
Section B
In light of these factors, the Board of Management reserves the right to determine the maximum number of children ordinarily accommodated in each classroom bearing in mind:
(a) Size of available space in the classroom
(b) The educational needs of children of a particular age
(c) Presence of children with special educational/behavioural needs
(d) DES guidelines and directives on class size (currently a maximum average of 30 children per class teacher, Circular 21/99)
(e) Multi-grade classes
Section C - Admission Policy
In the event that the number of children seeking enrolment exceeds the number of places available in any class, the following principles shall apply:
1. Brothers and sisters of children already enrolled in the school, who reside within the catchment area of the school.
2. Children who reside within the catchment area of the school.
3. Brothers and sisters of children already enrolled in the school who reside outside the catchment area, but within the parish of Shankill.
4. Brothers and sisters of children already enrolled in the school, who reside outside the catchment area, and outside the parish of Shankill.
5. Children living outside the catchment area, but within the parish of Shankill.
6. Children from other areas not covered in categories 1-5 above.
Note:
(a) The pre September 2004 Enrolment Policy shall apply to siblings of all present pupils, enrolled up to and including September 2003 (while they remain enrolled in St. Anne's N.S.).
(b) The Board of Management reserves the right to admit teachers' children at their discretion
In addition to the factors listed above, the Board of Management will review and examine all applications for Junior Infants for the following September taking the following factors into account:
Ø Age of applicant
Ø Ability / readiness for school
Ø Date of application
Ø Psychological assessment
Cognisance shall be made of the following:
Ø Separated parents - any possible dual address issues
Ø If a family with children already attending St. Anne's school move outside the catchment area or parish, subsequent siblings will be moved into the "outside the catchment area/parish" category when being assessed for enrolment.
Ø Catholic children will be required to submit a Baptismal Certificate with the enrolment application.
Section D
For the purposes of considering the enrolment of children from categories listed above, the following priorities shall apply:
All children being enrolled in Junior Infants shall have reached their 4th birthday by the last day of May in the calendar year in which they are enrolled.
On application to the school, applications will be categorised in accordance with the principles (1-6) listed in Section C above.
Should there be vacancies to be filled in Junior Infant classes when category 1 applicants have been granted, they shall be offered in turn to category 2, category 3, category 4, category 5 and category 6.
Within the parameters outlined above, the school's enrolment policy will be administered by the Principal.
Section E
Certain information will be required when an application for enrolment is made. This will include pupil's name, age, address *, names and addresses of child's parents/guardians, details of medical needs **, contact numbers and contact numbers in cases of emergency.
* Parents/guardians enrolling a child in St. Anne's N.S. will be asked for proof of address at which the child is ordinarily resident before an application may be considered.
** Details of any medical / behavioural conditions (medical reports / psychological reports) of which the school should be aware must be declared upon application.
Section F - Children with Special Educational Needs
The BOM of St. Anne's N.S. supports the principle of inclusion of children with special needs. Each case will be examined carefully, as every child with special needs has specific educational and / or physical requirement (s).
However, the teaching and the resources of the school may not be sufficient to respond adequately to the needs of some pupils. Parents/guardians of children with educational needs should advise the Principal of the school of their child's particular needs so that the most appropriate learning environment for their child is established.
Section G - Students transferring from other schools
Students may transfer to the school from other schools at the beginning of each quarter, i.e. 1st July, 1st October, 1st January or 1st April, or as soon as the school is open after that date, subject to the school's Enrolment Policy, the availability of places and in some cases, the approval of the Department of Education and Science. In considering student transfers, the Principal (on behalf of the BOM), will ask for a reference from the student's current teacher, copies of the last three school reports and Standardised Test results, where available. The Principal will also contact the Principal of the other school for a report, as required by the Educational (Welfare) Act 2000 and the parents/guardians will be notified of the BOM's decision in writing within 21 days. This is in accordance with Rules for National Schools, where there is no change of address.
Notification to Parents/Guardians
All parents/guardians who have submitted an application will be contacted by post during the Spring (Autumn) term prior to the September entry. They will be asked to supply proof of their home address to the BOM. When a place is offered, they will be asked to confirm acceptance of the place offered in St. Anne's in writing by a specified date. Failure to accept the place within the allocated time span will result in the place being offered to another child. A copy of the Code of Behaviour will be sent to the parents / guardians with the letter of offer. Written acceptance of a place also implies acceptance of the school's Code of Discipline.
Introductory Meeting
Children with their parent / guardians will be invited to visit the school in June. They will meet the principal, their class teachers and their fellow pupils and get a chance to see their classrooms. Booklists and information about uniform will be issued.
The Board of Management of St. Anne's N.S. reserves the right to review, amend and append this policy to maintain the ethos of the school. Its decision is final and binding.
Board of Management
September 2004
Note:
With effect from September 2004, the following one page document is circulated with application forms given to all applicants, so that they are clear on the admission policy.
The aim of this is to reduce the number of queries / misunderstandings which the Principal / School Secretary have to deal with.
ST. ANNE'S N.S. BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
Enrolment Policy:- Section C - Admission Policy
From September 2004, in the event that the number of children seeking enrolment exceeds the number of places available in any class, (historically all places have been filled from the first three categories below, and we anticipate that the majority of places will be filled from categories 1 & 2 from 1 September 2004), applicants will be prioritised in the following order:
1. Brothers and sisters of children already enrolled in the school, who reside within the catchment area of the school.
2. Children who reside within the catchment area of the school.
3. Brothers and sisters of children already enrolled in the school who reside outside the catchment area, but within the parish of Shankill.
4. Brothers and sisters of children already enrolled in the school, who reside outside the catchment area, and outside the parish of Shankill.
5. Children living outside the catchment area, but within the parish of Shankill.
6. Children from other areas not covered in categories 1-5 above.
Note:
(a) The pre September 2004 Enrolment Policy shall apply to siblings of all present pupils, enrolled up to and including September 2003 (while they remain enrolled in St. Anne's N.S.).
(b) The Board of Management reserves the right to admit teachers' children at their discretion
In addition to the factors listed above, the Board of Management will review and examine all applications for Junior Infants for the following September taking the following factors into account:
Ø Age of applicant
Ø Ability / readiness for school
Ø Date of application
Ø Psychological assessment
Cognisance shall be made of the following:
Ø Separated parents - any possible dual address issues
Ø If a family with children already attending St. Anne's school move outside the catchment area or parish, subsequent siblings will be moved into the "outside the catchment area / parish" category when being assessed for enrolment.
Ø Catholic children will be required to submit a Baptismal Certificate with the enrolment application.
IMPORTANT:
1. Address of applicants will be checked against the telephone directory & electoral register. Please note that addresses of relatives are not acceptable
2. On receipt of an application for enrolment, the school will write a letter of receipt of application. This in no way guarantees a place in the school. No child is guaranteed a place until officially notified in writing.
Board of Management
September 2004
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