Enrolment Policy – St. Brigid’s N.S.
Introduction: The Board of Management of St. Brigid’s N.S. has set out its 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. Furthermore, the Chairperson and the principal teacher will be happy to clarify any further matters arising. Decisions, in relation to applications for enrolment, are made by the Board of Management of the school, in accordance with school policy. General Information Name of School: St. Brigid’s N.S. Beechpark Lawn Castleknock Dublin 15 Telephone: 01- 8214040 Chairperson: Mr. Tommie O’Malley Principal: Mr. Denis Courtney. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, Bishop of the Diocese of Dublin, is patron of the school. At present, the teaching staff is comprised of 30 class teachers, 4 Learning Support, 2 Resource Teachers, 2 Language Support Teachers, 1 Resource Teacher for Travellers, a deputy principal teacher and a principal teacher. The full range of classes is taught in the school and classes are of mixed gender and ability. The school operates within the regulations laid down by the Department of Education and school policy has regard to the resources and funding provided by the Department of Education and Science. Classes start at 8.50 a.m. and finish at 2.30 p.m. Infant classes finish at 1.30 p.m. and these children must be collected by parents or guardians from the classroom door. Aims and Objectives of the Policy:
Admission\Enrolment Procedure In January of the year of school entry, The Board of Management will communicate enrolment arrangements, giving closing dates for enrolment applications, through
Children must have reached the age of 4 years by the last day in September of that year for enrolment to Junior Infant classes. Children will not be enrolled until their 4th birthday has been reached i.e. a child who celebrates his\her 4th birthday on September 8th will be enrolled on that day if his\her application has been successful. Enrolment Criteria: St. Brigid’s N.S. has traditionally accepted children from Our Lady Mother of the Church Parish, Castleknock. If, in any one year, the number of applicants exceeds the number of places available, the following prioritising criteria will be used: Priority Criterion 1 Catholic children of the parish and brothers and sisters of children in the school 2 Children of teachers and staff of the school 3 Catholic children who live outside the parish and do not have a Catholic school in their parish 4 All children who live within the parish boundaries but are not Catholic applying for placement are entitled to a place if there are vacancies after groups 1 to 3 have been allocated places 5 All children who apply to the school and are not Catholics and not residents within the parish boundaries are entitled to a place in the school if there are vacancies in the school after the groups 1 to 4 have allocated places. If the number of applicants from group 1 exceeds the number of places available, children will be accepted chronologically according to their age. A similar approach will be adopted if children have to be prioritised within the other groupings. Places must be accepted not later than 14 days after the offer of a place has been notified. Under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998, any parent or guardian can appeal a school’s refusal to enrol his/her child. Evaluation: The Board of Management will monitor the implementation of all aspects of the Policy and amend the Policy as required. December 2010. Appendix 1: The school will not refuse a child on the basis of ethnicity, special education needs, disability, traveller status, refugee status, political beliefs, family or social circumstances, provided the necessary supports are in place in the school, subject to the criteria of the policy. In relation to applications for enrolment of children with special needs, the Board of Management may request a copy of the child’s medical and \or psychological report. Where such a report is not available, the Board of Management may request that the child be assessed immediately by the appropriate professional. The purpose of the assessment report is to assist the school in establishing the educational needs of the child relevant to his/her special needs and to profile the support services required. Following receipt of the report, the board will assess how the school can meet the needs specified in the report. Where the Board of Management deems the further resources are required, it will request the Department of Education and Science, to provide the resources required to meet the needs of the child as outlined in psychological or medical reports. Such resources may include for example the provision of any or a combination of the following:
The school will meet the parents/guardians of the child to discuss the child’s needs and the schools suitability or capability in meeting those needs. The school supports the principles of-
The Board of Management of St. Brigid’s N.S., in its Enrolment Policy, respects the rights of the existing school community and the children already enrolled. Consequently, the Board of Management reserves the right to determine the maximum number of children in each class, bearing in mind:
Appendix 2: St. Brigid’s N.S. is a Catholic school and the underlying ethos of the school is a Catholic ethos. A crucial element of the promotion of this ethos is the teaching of the religion in class. While we welcome children of all religions and none to our school, we cannot provide supervision outside the classroom for children who do not wish to participate in religion classes. Appendix 3: The enrolment form filled out by applicants is strictly confidential and may be used in time by the class teacher for the child’s benefit. Information sought on this form may include:
Parents who wish to enroll a child during the school year must make a formal application in writing to the Board of Management for consideration at its next Board meeting. Applicants to classes during the school year are subject to the following criteria: Priority Criterion 1 . The applicant family must be resident in, or moving to the immediate area of Castleknock Parish. 2. The applicant must have the goodwill of the school they are leaving 3. There must be room available in the school. Special consideration is given to referrals from Social Services, Health Boards, courts of Law, Psychologists, etc., provided
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