Glenmore National School

ENROLMENT POLICY

(A) General Information

" An Ghleanna Mhór
Croismoilina
Co. Maigheo
Phone - 096-31830

" Denominational Character - Roman Catholic
Patron - Bishop of Killala

" Teachers:
Principal - Miss Caithriona Carty
Deputy Principal - NA
Assistant Teacher/Post Holder - Ms Jacqueline Munnelly
Resource Teacher Mrs. Geraldine Gill - Shared
Learning Support Teacher - Mr. Brendan Mc Elvana
CARN BASED

" Classes:
Room 1 - Infants (Junior and Senior), First, Second
Room 2- Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth

School Type - Mixed

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


Legal Framework
Section 9 (j) of the Education Act 1998 specifies, that "A recognized school shall (see act)….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 …(see act). 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 that 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, assess 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)].

Goals
The school shall have in place appropriate channels of communication and procedures
" To inform parents about the school, it's 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
" To specify what information is required by the school at the time of application

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 implementations and to make recommendations for improvement where appropriate.
" To decide on appeals by parents or students with respect to any decision(s) made by the Principal/Board..
" To prepare (and submit to the Education Welfare Board) a statement of Strategies regarding Attendance. The Statement of Strategy will have regard to guidelines issued by the Education Welfare Board and will set out the measures the Board of Management proposes to adopt
a) For the purposes of fostering and 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 teaching staff, students, parents, Board and Trustees
" 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 of an applicant with a copy of the school's Code of Behaviour and ensure that the parent confirm in writing their acceptance of the Code of 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 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 to the Trustees and the Department of Education setting out Title and Address of each and advising of time limits

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, Special Needs Teacher
" 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 implementations of the policy
" To offer suggestions for improving the service to students with special needs

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 implantation and to make recommendations for improvement where appropriate




" Glenmore NS depends on the grants and resources provided by the D.E.S. and it operates within the regulations laid down, from time to time, by the department. Consequently the school policy must have regard to the resources and funding available.

" Glenmore N.S. follows the curricular programmes prescribed by the D.E.S. which may be amended from time to time in accordance with sections 9 and 30 of the Education Act (1998).

" Glenmore N.S. operates 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 supports:

(a) Inclusiveness, particularly with reference to the enrolment of children with a disability or other special educational need.
(b) Equality of access and participation in the school.
(c) Respect for the diversity of values, beliefs, traditions, languages and ways of life in society.

Appeals Procedure
Parents who are dissatisfied with an enrolment decision, may appeal to the Board of Management. It must be addressed, in writing, to the Chairperson of the Board, stating the grounds for the appeal, and lodged within ten days of receiving the refusal. Parents, if unhappy with the result of this appeal, may appeal to the Department of Education and Science under Section 29 of the Education Act on the official form provided by the Department. This appeal must be lodged within 42 days of receipt of the refusal from the school to enrol.


Enrolment of Pupils with Special Needs
In relation to applications for the enrolment of children with special needs the Board of Management may request a copy of any relevant medical or psychological reports as are available. If such a report is not available it is open to the Board to request that the child be assessed prior to enrolment. The purpose of the assessment is to establish the educational needs of the child relevant to his disability/special needs and to profile the support services required.

Following receipt of such a report the Board of Management shall assess how Glenmore School can meet the needs specified in the report. If further resources are required the Board of Management will, prior to enrolment, request the Department of Education and Science to provide the required resources. These may include any combination of the following visiting teacher service, resource teacher for special needs, special needs assistant, specialised equipment or furniture, transport or other services.

The school principal will meet with the parents/guardians of the child to discuss the child's needs and the suitability and capability of Glenmore NS to meet those needs. If necessary, a full case conference may be called which may include parents, principal class teacher, learning support teacher, special class teacher resource teacher psychologist medical personnel.

Code of Behaviour
Children enrolled in Glenmore NS are required to co-operate with the school's Code of Behaviour and other policies on curriculum, organisation and management. Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that their children co-operate with these policies in an age appropriate way.


" School Opening hours:
Open - 9.10 a.m.
Close - 2.50 p.m.
Junior and Senior Infants go home at 1.50 p.m.

(B) Procedures

" Application Procedures:
Parents who wish to enrol children in Junior Infants are required to contact the Principal during the preceding year. A notice in the Parish Bulletin will indicate the date and time for enrolment.

" Provision of Key Information by Parents:
Certain information will be required when children are being enrolled. A specific enrolment application form is provided by the Board for this purpose. Information required will include:
(a) Pupils name, age (birth cert required) and address
(b) Names and address of pupil's parents/guardians
(c) Contact telephone number
(d) Contact telephone numbers in cases of emergency
(e) Details of any medical conditions which the school should be aware of
(f) Religion
(g) Previous schools attended, if any, and reason for transfer, if applicable
(h) Any other relevant information including any such other information as may be prescribed under the Education Welfare Act 2000


" Decision Making:
Decisions in relation to applications for enrolment are made by the B.O.M. in accordance with school policy. The Board will notify parents of their decision within 21 days of receiving such information (to come into being as per Education Welfare Act 2000). As a general principle and in so far as practical having regard to the schools enrolment policy, children will be enrolled on application, provided that there is space available.
The Board will have regard for relevant Department of Education and Science guidelines in relation to class size and staffing provisions and/or relevant requirements concerning accommodation including physical space and the health and welfare of children.
The Board is bound by the Department of Education and Science's rule for National Schools which provides that pupils may only be enrolled from the age of 4 years and upwards, though compulsory attendance does not apply until the age of 6 years.
In the event that applications for enrolment exceeds / 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:
(a) Catchment area of the school
(b) Whether there are siblings of the proposed new entrant already in the school
(c) Children of staff members
(d) Children from parish
(e) Ages of the children
(f) Ethos considerations
(g) First come, first served
(h) Children of ethnic minorities, including Travellers.

" Admission Day/Date
Junior Infants may only be admitted to the school on 1st September.

" Enrolment for 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 of special needs and to profile the support services required.
Following the receipt of the report, the Board will assess how the school can meet the needs specified in the report. Where the Board deems that further resources are required, it will, prior to enrolment, request the Department of Education and Science to provide the resources required to meet the needs of the child outlined in the psychological and/or medical report. These resources may include for example, 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 or other.
The school will meet with the parents of the child to discuss the child's needs and the school's suitability or capability in meeting those needs. Where necessary, a full case conference involving all parties will be held, which may include parents, principal, class teacher, learning support teacher, special class teacher, resource teacher for special needs or psychologist, as appropriate.
It may be necessary for the Board of Management to defer enrolment of a particular child pending:
(a)The receipt of an assessment report; and/or
(b) The provision of appropriate resources by the Department of Education and Science to meet the needs specified in the psychological and/or medical report.

" Pupils Transferring
Pupils may transfer to the school in the event of relocation of a family at any time, subject to school policy, available space and in some cases, the approval of the Department of Education and Science. Any other transfer may take place only at the beginning of school term, subject to the usual school enrolment policy.
It is a requirement of the Board of Management that information concerning attendance and the child's educational progress be communicated between schools (to come into being as per Education Welfare Act 2000).

" Code of Behaviour
The school has a Code of Behaviour which is deemed essential to the school's enrolment policy devised under the Education Welfare Act 2000 and new amendments under the National Educational Welfare Board (2008) NEWB


This policy was approved by the Board of Management at its meeting of October 2008 and shall be reviewed at least annually by the Board of Management and changed where deemed necessary and appropriate.

Signed






Dated:



























GLENMORE NS
Enrolment Form


1 Child's Personal Details


Last Name: First Name Date of Birth:

Address: Email

Home Tel : Child's Religion: Child's Nationality:


2 Parent/Guardian Information

Father's Name: Work Tel. (incl. moblies)

Work Address: Email

Mother's Name: Work Tel. (incl. moblies)

Work Address: Email

Contact Name: (minder, neighbour etc) Contact Tel. (incl. moblies)

Contact Address:


3 Other Information

Other Schools Attended: Year: Class
(if any)
Year: Class

Medical Information: (see over also)

Family Doctor Tel

Travel to/from School: (Please Tick) Walk Bus (state Company) Car Cycle

Number of children in family: Child's place in family:

Brother(s) in the school at present: Class:
(if any)
Class:

I allow my child to avail of the internet as per the school internet use policy.


Signature of Parent(s)/Guardian(s):

Date:



4 For Office use only

Teacher Class: Roll No: Date In

Birth Cert: BaptiCert: Books: Milk Insurance_______

Glenmore National School

Additional Information

5 Private and Confidential


In our school we endeavour to provide the highest standards of pastoral care for your child. In order to achieve this objective successfully it is vital that the school be informed of any relevant situation regarding health, bereavement, domestic circumstances etc. Such information may be detailed here or alternatively you may contact the principal teacher or your child's class teacher directly. Any information will of course, be treated in the strictest confidence.


Data Protection
The information provided in this form is necessary for the work of the school and is confidential to the school. However, from time to time the school is asked to provide information to the Health Board to facilitate their work such as immunisations, sight and hearing tests and dental appointments etc. Please sign below to signal your agreement that the details in Section 1 (Child's Personal Details) be made available to the Health Board.


Date