Ballapousta National School

Ballapousta National School Enrolment Policy

INTRODUCTION:

This is the policy on School Enrolment for Ballapousta National School, Smarmore, Drogheda, Co. Louth. This policy has been formulated through discussion at several staff meetings, drafted and amended by the staff during the school year 2006-'07. The policy will be revised every two years thereafter or as required by legislation. The Education Act 1998 states:

"A board shall… publish, in such a manner as the board with the agreement of the patron considers appropriate, the policy of the school concerning admission to and participation in the school, including the policy of the school relating to the expulsion and suspension of students and admission to and participation by students with disabilities or who have other special educational needs… and ensure …that …the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents' choice are respected…"

The Enrolment Policy is set out in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998 and subsequent legislation. It is hoped that it will assist parents in relation to matters of enrolment.
Furthermore, the chairman, Parochial House, Ardee Street, Collon, Co Louth, Tel: 041 9826106 and the Principal, Mr. Ciaran Conlan, Tel: 041-6853966, email ballapoustsns.ias@eircom.net will be happy to clarify any matters arising from this policy.

The ethos of Ballapousta National School is an inclusive catholic ethos where all children are valued, accepted and welcome to attend our school. Ballapousta National School operates a policy of equality at all levels inclusion of children with special needs or disabilities. The school will show respect for the diversity of ethnic backgrounds, values, faiths, beliefs, traditions, languages and ways of life in society among its pupils and their parents/guardians.

Education Welfare Act 2000

Section 19
(1) The board of management of a recognised school shall not refuse to admit as a student in such school a child, in respect of whom an application to be admitted has been made, except where such refusal is in accordance with the policy of the recognised school concerned published under section 15(2)(d) of the Act of 1998 (i.e. Education Act)

(2) The parent of a child who has made an application referred to in subsection (1) shall provide the recognised school concerned with such information as may be prescribed by the Minister.

(3) As soon as practicable, but not later than 21 days, after a parent has provided, in accordance with subsection (2), such information as may be prescribed by the Minister thereunder, the board of management of the school concerned shall make a decision in respect of the application concerned and inform the parent in writing thereof.


Name of School: Ballapousta National School

Address: Smarmore, Drogheda, Co. Louth

Telephone: 041-6853966

E-mail: ballapoustans.ias@eircom.net

School Patron: Archbishop Seán Brady, Catholic Archbishop of Armagh

Chairman:

Principal: Mr. Ciarán Conlan

Roll Number: 01554 B

School Denomination: Catholic

Staff Number: Principal + 8 class teachers + Learning Support Teacher + part-time resource teacher.

Classes: All classes from junior infants to 6th class are taught in a co-educational arrangement.

Funding: The school is fully funded by the Department of education and Science by grants and educational teaching resources operating within the regulations laid down by the DES. This policy will have regard to the funding and resources available from the DES, which may impact on the school's ability to accept some pupils for enrolment

Curriculum: Ballapousta NS follows the Revised National Curriculum, as prescribed by the DES as set in the Education Act, Education Act, 1998

"A recognised school shall provide education to students which is appropriate to their abilities and needs and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, it shall use its available resources to -
(a) ensure that the education needs of all students, including those with a disability or other special education needs are identified and provided for,
(b) ensure that the education provided for meets the requirements of education policy as determined from time to time by the Minister including requirements as to the provision of a curriculum as prescribed by the Minister in accordance with section 30,
(c) ensure that students have access to appropriate guidance to assist them in their educational and career choices,
(d) promote the moral, spiritual, social and personal development of students and provide health education for them, in consultation with their parents, having regard to the characteristic spirit of the school,
(e) promote equality of opportunity for both male and female students and staff of the school,
(f) promote the development of the Irish language and traditions, Irish literature, the arts and other cultural matters,
(g) ensure that parents of a student, or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, have access in the prescribed manner to records kept by that school relating to the progress of that student in his or her education,
(h) in the case of schools located in a Gaeltacht area, contribute to the maintenance of Irish as the primary community language,
(i) conduct its activities in compliance with any regulations made from time to time by the Minister under section 33,
(j) ensure that the needs of personnel involved in management functions and staff development needs generally in the school are identified and provided for,
(k) establish and maintain systems whereby the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations can be assessed, including the quality and effectiveness of teaching in the school and the attainment levels and the academic standards of the students,
(l) establish or maintain contacts with other schools and at other appropriate levels throughout the community served by the school, and
(m) 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".

Opening Hours:
9.20 am to 2.00 pm Junior Day
9.20 am to 3.00 pm Senior Day

Application Procedure:

Parents wishing to enroll their children in Ballapousta NS can get enrolment forms from the school at any time during the school year. Enrolment is by way of written application ONLY. Junior infants are enrolled and admitted to school on September 1st each year ONLY [in exceptional circumstances where a child is transferring from another school in the state the child may be admitted into the school if the first school report indicate progress in line with the curriculum of junior infants]. Completed forms accompanied by a copy of each child's birth cert and PPS number, should be returned to the Principal or Deputy Principal. By agreement among the primary school of Ardee Catholic Parish, Enrolment/Application Week will take place in February each year. This will be communicated to parents through the Parish bulletin, announcements at Mass, school website, other local media and through the school newsletter.
The following information will be required when children are being enrolled. A specific enrolment form is available which is required to be completed before an application is approved.
" Pupil's name, address, date of birth, PPS no., religious denomination, health difficulties, no. of siblings.
" Parents' names, addresses, contact phone no. mobile no. email address, occupations.
" Emergency contact persons and their phone numbers
" Pupil's previous school, school contact details, reasons for transfer
" Any other relevant information

DECISION MAKING

All decisions in relation to enrolment will be made by the Board of Management of the school in accordance with the school's enrolment policy and in this regard the school will have regard for any relevant circulars from the DES in relation to class size, staffing provisions and/or any other relevant requirements concerning accommodation, such as physical space or the health or welfare of the children. The Board is bound by circulars from the DES and by the Rules for National Schools which provides that pupils may only be considered for enrolment from the age of 4 and upwards.

Parents will be informed by the Board of their decision within 21 days of the close of Enrolment Week [February]. Pupils transferring from other schools within the state or from abroad may be enrolled with immediate effect subject to there being a place for them in the relevant class.
In the experience of the Board and the teaching staff of Ballapousta it preferred that pupils be closer to 5 than 4 years of age when starting school.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION FOR ENROLMENT

The following is the list of criteria for admission to Ballapousta National School in order of preference
1. Children from within the boundaries of Ardee Parish
2. The siblings of currently enrolled pupils
3. Children of staff members
4. Children of past pupils
5. The age of children
6. In order of receipt of the enrolment application, ie. First come, first served.
7. Lottery, if the number of applications exceeds the DES recommended class size and cannot be separated by the above criteria.

ENROLMENT OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

In relation to applications for enrolment of children with special needs the Board will request a copy of the child's medical and/or psychological report or where such a report is unavailable, 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 or special needs and to profile the support services required.

Following the receipt of the report the BOM will assess how the school can meet the needs specified in the report. Where the BOM deems further resources are required, it will, prior to enrolment, request the SENO to provide the resources required to meet the needs of the child as outlined in the report. These resources may include access to or 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 others.

The school will meet with the parents of the child and with the SENO 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 may be held, which may include parents, principal, class teacher, LST, resource teacher, SENO, or psychologist as appropriate.

TRANSFERRING PUPILS

Pupils may transfer to Ballapousta National School at any time during the school year subject to the school policy, available space and in some cases the approval of the DES. It is a requirement of the BOM that transferring pupils furnish the school with copies of previous school reports, results of standardised tests and information about the pupil's attendance record. All information concerning transferring pupils will be sought by the BOM from the pupil's previous school.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITY

This policy has been developed by the teaching staff of the school and approved by the Board of Management. Its future development will be assisted by the School Development Support Services, DES, CPSMA and INTO. The policy will be updated each year or as required.