St. Enda's Community School

St. Endas Community School

Admissions Policy

Mission Statement

We endeavour to provide a caring, safe and disciplined environment in which all students are challenged and supported to reach their educational and personal potential.

School profile

Founded in 1973, St. Enda's Community School is a multi-denominational co-educational school. The school is dedicated to the provision of a broad educational experience for a range of students of varying abilities

The trustees of St. Endas School are the Bishop of Limerick and the City of Limerick Vocational Education Committee. The school is managed by a Board of Management, is funded by the Department of Education (DES) and operates within the regulations and guidelines set down by that Department. The school has a multi-talented staff and a wide range of resources and facilities.

St. Enda's Community School aims to nurture and develop the educational, cultural, moral, physical, religious, social, linguistic and spiritual values and traditions of all its students.

Special concern is shown for the disadvantaged and every effort is made to ensure that the uniqueness and dignity of each person is respected. This is facilitated by the Pastoral Care System in the school. Evaluation and review of our various programmes is on-going in an effort to cater for the changing needs of today's world and of our students.


Introduction

The Board of management of St. Endas Community School is adopting this Admissions policy in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998 (7) (1) and to assist Parents/Guardians with regard to admissions and enrolment issues.

St. Endas Community School

• Adopts the "Limerick City Area Post- Primary Schools Common Application Procedure 2006- 2007" which was agreed by the principals of the schools listed on the Common Application Form.
• Provides a comprehensive system of post-primary education for its students
• Welcomes students for whom the school can provide an appropriate education. The committee reserves the right to refuse to enrol a student where the student has such needs which the school cannot address, even within the resources provided by the Department of Education, or where a student would pose an unacceptable threat to students, staff and/or school property.
• Will, each year, decide the number of First Year students for whom the school can provide an appropriate education, with regard to facilities, personnel and resources.

Criteria for Enrolment

1) Students must have completed Primary School Education.
2) A completed Common Application Form must be submitted by the specified date.
3) Students must be aged 12 on the 1st. January in the calendar year following entry into First Year.
4) When a place is offered Parents/guardians must agree to the transfer of relevant assessments and reports from all previous primary schools.
5) On registration, Parents and Students are presented with the Code of Behaviour and must confirm, in writing, acceptance of this code and a willingness to accept the school ethos.
6) Following enrolment prospective students will be requested to attend an Assessment Test.
7) The Board of Management must be satisfied that the enrolment is in the best interests of the student and of the school and does not pose a threat to the health and safety of staff and students.

The final dates for submission of application forms, written offer of places, confirmation of acceptance of places and registration night will be decided by the Limerick Principals' and Deputy Principals' Association. These dates will be published in the local media and can be obtained by contacting the school office The final dates will be strictly adhered to.

Requirements on enrolment

1. Evidence of age - i.e. Birth Cert
2. Two signed passport sized photographs
3. Names, Addresses, Telephone numbers of Parents/Guardians and Emergency contact names and telephone numbers - the school must be immediately informed if contact names/numbers are changed
4. An account of relevant medical conditions
5. Basic details in respect of whether a Family Law Order exists in relation to the child.
6. Any other relevant information
7. Payment of a voluntary contribution is requested


For the purposes of this policy a student with Special Educational Needs (SEN) is a student who may be categorised in one or more of the following ways

1) Because of a disability as defined in the Equal Status Act 2000 and the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 is unable to follow the school programme without additional educational supports
2) Has a professionally identified learning difficulty
3) Is in receipt of Department of Education and Skills resource hours and/or services immediately prior to enrolment
4) Is deemed to have Special Educational Needs on the basis of assessments carried out by the school

While recognising and fully supporting Parents/Guardians rights to have a school of their choice for their children, the schools' ability to accept students with particular needs is dependent on the supply of resources from the Department of Education and Skills.


As soon as is practicable, but not later than 21 days after a Parent/Guardian has provided the relevant information, the Board of Management shall make a decision in respect of the application concerned and inform the Parents/Guardians in writing. Education Welfare Act, Section 19.3

In exceptional cases, final confirmation of a place may be given when the Department of Education and Skills confirm that the necessary resources will be provided.

On consideration of all relevant information and professional documentation the Board of Management will assess how best to meet the needs of the student. Insofar as is reasonably practicable, the school will use the resources provided by the Department of Education and Skills to achieve full participation in the life of the school.

Transfer of Students from another school.


Students may make an application to enrol at, or transfer to, St. Endas Community School subject to the following;

• Applications to transfer from other schools providing post primary education will only be considered for the commencement of a new school year, except in exceptional circumstances.
• The Board of Management must be satisfied that the enrolment is in the best interests of the student and of the school. The board will consider whether the admission of the student may have a detrimental impact on the common good of the school and/or may pose a risk to the health and safety of staff and students. It will also take into account whether the school is equipped to cater for the needs of the students.
• A place must be available with reference to the number for each year as set out by the Board of Management and the availability of places in each class.
• The applicant must provide the school with the required information as stated in the admissions policy.
• The applicant with their Parents/Guardians must attend an interview with the school principal if requested.
• Contact may be made with the applicants' former school to discuss reports on behaviour, copies of educational/psychological assessments and any other reports that the school deem necessary to assist them in processing the application. It is the responsibility of Parents/Guardians to provide all requested reports.
• In the case of transfer from local secondary schools, the Board of Management must be satisfied that there are valid reasons for the transfer.
• The parent/Guardian and the applicant must give a written undertaking to abide by the schools Code of Behaviour and to support the ethos of the school.

Following receipt of all relevant information from the former school and any necessary consultation, the Board of Management will consider the application. All applications made after October 1st in any school year, will be submitted to the Board of Management for its consideration.
Where a student is considered for a place during the school year the decision as to whether a place may be offered immediately or whether it would be best to wait until the beginning of the next academic year, will be taken by the Board of Management in consultation with the students Parents/Guardians, his/her former school and the Health and Welfare Officer.

Right of Appeal

The Board of Management reserves the right to refuse an application for admission in exceptional circumstances as per Education Welfare Act, 2000, section 24 (5), p.22, Education Act 1998, Section 29, P. 27, Circular letter M48/01
The Board of Management shall not refuse to admit a student except where such a refusal is in accordance with the school admissions policy which has been drafted in compliance with the Education Act 1998, Section 15 (2d) and the Education Welfare Act 2000, Section 19 (1)

Should a students' application for admission to the school be refused, the Parents/Guardians have the right to appeal to the Secretary General of the Department of Education and skills , ( Education Act 1998, Section 29 (d) )

The Parents/Guardians are informed in writing of the Boards' decision and the reasons why the student was not accepted should be clearly stated.
The right to appeal should be restated and the application form provided. (Circular M48/01)

The appeal must be made within 42 calendar days from the date the Parents/Guardians were notified of the decision of the Board of Management. ( Circular M48/01 )

The school must be informed in writing of the decision to appeal

An appeal may be made in writing to the Department of Education and Skills. The Appeals Application Form should be completed in full and should state;
1) The decision being appealed
2) The grounds on which the decision is being appealed
3) The date that the Parents/Guardians were infirmed of the decision
4) All other relevant information. ( Circular M48/01 )

Having regard to the desirability of resolving grievances within the school where possible, the parties to an appeal under Section 29, i.e. the appellant and the schools Board of Management, will be asked to consider the matter in the first instance at local level to see if an accommodation can be reached. As a general rule, appeals will only be considered by an appeals committee under Section 29 where the parties are unable to resolve the issue at local level. (Circular M48/01 )



This document will be reviewed annually

Ratified by Board of Management 13th September, 2011