Admissions Policy
The Board of Management of Glenahulla N.S. has drawn up this enrolment policy in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act, 1998.
The chairperson of the Board, Andrew O’Regan, Cloughleafin, Mitchelstown, and Mr Pádraig Fitzgerald, Principal, are available to clarify any further matters arising from the policy. (Reviewed January/February 2020)
School Details:
Name: Glenahulla N.S.
Address: Mitchelstown, Co. Cork
Phone: 022 25476
Glenahulla N.S. is under the patronage of the catholic Diocese of Cloyne.
Currently in Glenahulla School there are:
- 4 mainstream teachers
- 2 full time SET teachers
- 1 shared SET teacher
- 4 SNA’s (3.33 post hours)
The school depends on grants and teacher resources provided by the Department of Education and Science, and operates within the regulations laid down by the Department bearing in mind the resources and funding available.
The school follows the curricular programmes set out by the Department of Education and Skills, which may be amended from time to time in accordance with the Education Act (1998).
Within the parameters of Department regulations, the rights of the Patron as set out in the Education Act, and the funding and resources available, the school supports the principles of:
- Inclusiveness – no child is refused admission for reasons of special educational needs, disability, gender, traveller status, religious political beliefs and value, family or social circumstances;
- Equality of access and participation in school;
- Parental choice in relation to enrolment;
- Respect for diversity of values, beliefs, traditions, and ways of life in society.
The school opens each morning at 8:45am to receive pupils. Instruction commences at 9:00am. School finishes at 2:40pm.
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
Decision Making
Decisions in relation to applications for enrolment are made by the Board of Management in accordance with school policy. In so far as is practicable, having regard to the school enrolment policy, children will be enrolled on application, provided there is space available. Enrolment is taken from the Glenahulla NS traditional catchment area which services an area of 3 –5 miles approx. from our surrounding parishes of Mitchelstown, Ballindangan/Glanworth, Kildorrery and Glenroe. The Board of Management is bound by the Department of Education and Science’s rules 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.
The Board of Management determines the maximum number of children in the school based on the Department of Education’s recommended enrolment at the time.
In the event that applications for enrolment exceed the number of spaces available, the following criteria will apply:
- Whether there are siblings of the proposed new entrant already attending the school
- Physical space
- Class size
- Multi-class
- First come, first served
Application Procedure:
In February each year we invite parents of intending pupils are invited to visit the school during a ‘Registration Week’. These parents are issued with the school enrolment documentation. This documentation includes a school brochure, enrolment form and a copy of the school’s Code of Behaviour and school rules.
Before signing the registration from, parents will be asked to read the following policies on our school website www.glenahullans.com; Anti-bullying, Enrolment, Reception, Homework, and Nutrition Policies. (all other policies are available for inspection on request). Completed registration forms and a copy of birth certificate are to be returned to the school.
The intending Junior Infant pupils attend on one morning of the last month of summer term, to familiarise both parents and pupils with the school environment and class teacher. An information leaflet is given to parents outlining day to day running of the school organisation and timetable.
Applicant children must be at least 4 years of age on or before April 30th of the school year.
Admission Date:
Junior Infants may only be admitted to the school on 1st September or on commencement date of the 1st term of the new school year.
Pupils Transferring:
Pupils may transfer to the school at any time, subject to the school policy, available space and in some cases, the approval of the Department of Education and Science. It is a requirement of the Board of Management that information concerning attendance and the child’s educational progress be communicated between schools. (Section 28, Education Welfare Act, 2000). The school uses a standard student transfer form
Enrolment of children with Special Needs
Glenahulla NS has an inclusive policy regarding special needs education. Children with special needs are welcomed and integrated into the whole school environment where possible.
Individual education plans are drawn up for each child taking into consideration the recommendations of the below mentioned assessment. Parents are invited to attend a meeting with the relevant professionals to draw up these plans and to review them subsequently within an agreed time frame.
We request that children with special needs would have completed psychological assessment prior to registration. We request a copy of the child’s medical and/or psychological report or where such a report is not available we 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 or her disability or special needs and to profile the support services required.
When reports are received, they are forwarded to the Special Educational Needs Organiser (S.E.N.O.) whose job it is to liaise with the Department of Education for approval of the allocation of resource hours/resources.
Exceptional Circumstances
The school reserves the right to refuse enrolment to a pupil in the event that the Board of Management deems the pupil to be an unacceptable risk to other pupils or to school staff.
Appeals Procedure
In line with section 28 of the Education Act 1998, parents who are dissatisfied with an enrolment decision, may appeal to the Board of management. This appeal 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 Skills under section 29 of the Education Act on the official form provided by the Department. An appeal form will be issued by the school to the parents/guardians. This appeal must be lodged within 42 days of receipt of the refusal from the school to enroll.
Ratification & Communication
- Ratified by the Board of Management
- Copy to parents of intending pupils
Review
- Has been reviewed – February 2020
- This policy will be reviewed before or during January 2021
Implementation
Ongoing
Ratified by Board of Management of Glenahulla NS on ____________
Signed ___________________________
Chairperson of the Board of Management
glenahullans.com 