Scoil Pádraig Naofa,
Cregmore
Enrolments/Admissions Policy
The Board of Management of Scoil Pādraig Naofa sets out below its policy of Enrolment in accordance with the provision of the Education Act, 1998.
Scoil Pādraig Naofa depends on the grants and teacher resources provided by the Department of Education and Science (DES). It operates within the regulations laid down, from time to time, by the Department which may impact upon enrolment/ admission procedures. All our school policies must have regard to this funding, as well as the resources made available to the school. Our school follows the curricular programmes prescribed by the DES which may be amended from time to time, in accordance with Sections 9 and 30 of the Education Act 1998.
Equality of access is the key value that determines the enrolment of children to our school. No child is refused admission for reasons of ethnicity, special educational needs, disability, language/accent, gender, traveller status, asylum-seeker/refugee status, religious/political beliefs and values, family or social circumstances.
While recognising the rights of parents to enrol their child in the school of their choice, the Board of Management of Scoil Pādraig Naofa is also responsible for respecting the rights of the existing school community and in particular, the children already enrolled. This requires balanced judgements, which are guided by the principles of natural justice and acting in the best interest of all children.
Application Procedures
Scoil Pādraig Naofa follows these procedures for enrolment of Junior Infants for the next school year.
- Parents are informed of the dates, time and venue of the enrolment through the
- Parish Newsletter
- Informing pupils already in the school
- Notice displayed in the school
- Information evening held in the school
- All enrolment application forms are to be returned to the school office by April 30th each year. While parents are encouraged to enrol their children at this time parents will be allowed to enrol their children at a later date pending acceptance by the BOM.
- The names of children for whom Enrolment Application forms and Birth/Adoption Certificates have been returned, will be placed on a class waiting list.
- The Principal and Junior Infant teacher meet with the parent(s)/guardian for an ‘open evening’ at the beginning of June. At this night school uniform, books, Code of Behaviour, other policies etc, will be discussed.
- Our School Booklet and Code of Behaviour will accompany the application form and in signing the enrolment form, parents are accepting our school code of discipline.
Decision Making
Decisions in relation to applications are guided by the principles of natural justice and acting in the best interest of all children and are made by the Board of Management in accordance with school policy. As a general principle, and in so far as is practicable having regard to the school’s enrolment policy, the children shall be enrolled on application, providing there is space available. Scoil Pādraig Naofa, Cregmore is bound by the rules for National Schools which states that a child may not be allowed to attend or be enrolled in a National School
Criteria used in decision making by the BOM in relation to excess enrolment include:
- Siblings of pupils already in the school
- Children from the Parish
- Children of staff members
- Children whose parent/s are past-pupils of the school.
- Children whose home address is closest to the school as measured by a straight line.
- Guidelines from the DES in relation to class size, staffing provision and accommodation
- Physical space
- Health and welfare of the children
In accordance with the Educational Welfare Act 2000, the BOM will notify parents of their decision within twenty-one days of the closing date of applications, April 30th. Thus receiving a completed enrolment form, signed by parents/guardians and a Birth Certificate.
Admission Day
Admission to the Junior Infant class takes place once a year – the month of September, except when a child is transferring from another school.
Enrolment of Children with Special Needs
In relation to the enrolment of children with special needs, the Board of Management of Scoil Pādraig Naofa may request a copy of the child’s medical and/or psychological report. If this is not available the Board will request that the child be assessed immediately. This report is requested to assist the school in establishing the educational and training needs of the child relevant to his/her disability or special education needs and to profile the support services required. Following the receipt of the report, the Board will assess how the school could meet the needs specified in the report. Where the Board deems that further resources are required, it should, prior to enrolment, request the DES to provide the resources required to meet the needs of the child as outlined in the psychological or medical report. These resources may include for example, access to or the provision of any or a combination of the following: teacher for special needs, special needs assistant, specialised equipment for 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. If necessary, a full case conference involving all parties may be held. The Board may request to defer enrolment of a particular child, pending
- The receipt of an assessment report and/or
- The provision of appropriate resources by the DES to meet the needs specified in the Psychological and/or medical report.
When all provisions are made the school will then notify the parents/guardians and the pupil may commence school.
Pupils Transferring
In keeping with the Education Welfare Act 2000, a parent may transfer his/her child from one National School to another, at any time of the year, either with the consent of the Minister or when the transfer is made because of a change in the ordinary residence of the child. This is also subject to school policy and available space. When the application is made the Principal shall ascertain from the parent whether the pupil was previously enrolled in another National School, and if so, should request the parent to obtain a letter to that effect from the Principal of the school which the pupil previously attended. An enrolment form is completed etc and procedures outlined above are then followed. Information concerning the pupil’s attendance and the child’s educational progress should be communicated between the schools.
Enrolment Details
The name of the child which appears on the Birth Certificate is the name that should be recorded in the school registration book. The name the child is known as, as indicated by the parents, is put on the roll book. Where there is a discrepancy a record should be kept in the registration book.
Code of Behaviour
The school Code of Behaviour contains the procedures for Suspension and Expulsion of pupils and parents can request a copy of this from the school secretary.
A copy of the schools Code of Behaviour will accompany the school Enrolment Form, and in signing this, the parent is accepting that they have read it and that they will abide by its content.
Medication
Parents are asked to inform the school in writing if their child suffers from any long term or short term illness and if their child is on medication. No teacher can be required to administer medicine or drugs to a pupil. A teacher who, with the consent of the BOM, does take on the responsibility for administering medicines takes on a heavy duty of care to discharge the responsibility correctly. Parents contact the BOM in writing in relation to the administration of medication.