Introduction

Kiltiernan N.S is a co-educational primary school under the patronage of the Catholic
Bishop of Galway.
The school aims to promote the full and harmonious development of all pupils: cognitive, intellectual, physical, cultural, moral and spiritual, including a living relationship with God and other people and promotes a Christian philosophy of life.

The Board of Management of Kiltiernan National School hereby sets out its Enrolment and Admission Policy in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998 and the Board trusts that by so doing, parents will be assisted in relation to enrolment matters.
The Chairperson of the Board of Management, Fr. Joe Roche or the Principal
Teacher,Ms Edel Leech will be happy to clarify any matters arising from this policy.

Decisions in relation to applications for enrolment are made by the Board of Management of the school.

General School Information
Name of School: Kiltiernan National School
Telephone No. 091 635000
Patron: Bishop of Galway
Denomination: Catholic
Range of Classes: Full Range, Rural Mixed National School.

 

His Lordship Bishop Martin Drennan is the Patron of the school.
At present, the teaching staff is comprised of 3 classroom Teachers and a shared learning support teacher,-Ms Edel Leech Principal, Ms Brid Fenlon Deputy Principal
,Ms Emer O’Doherty & Ms Lynda Cummins Learning Support Teacher-shared with Gort Boys N.S & based there. The full range of classes is taught in the school and classes are of mixed gender. The school depends on the grants and teacher resources provided by the Department of Education and Science and it operates within the regulations laid down, from time to time, by the Department. The school Policy has regard to the resources and funding available.

Class starts at 9.20 a.m and finishes at 3.00 p.m. Infant Classes finish at 2.00 p.m. Kiltiernan N.S follows the Curricular Programmes prescribed by the Department
of Education & Science which may be amended from time to time, in accordance with Section 9 and 30 of the Education Act 1998.
The school supports the principles of
• Inclusiveness,
• Equality of access and participation in Kiltiernan N.S
• Parental choice in relation to enrolment
• Respect for the diversity of values, beliefs. Traditions, languages and ways of life in society.

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
….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 of the Education Act requires the B.O.M to uphold… the characteristic spirit of the school as determined by the cultural, education, moral, religious, solial, linguistic and spiritual values and traditions which…are characteristics of the …. school.

Section 15 (2) (d) states the Board of Management shall “publish …. 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

 

Context, Resources, School Organisation & Curriculum

 

The school supports the principle of equality for all students regarding access to and participation in the school. Kiltiernan N.S is a Catholic School with a Catholic ethos. The school respects the diversity of traditions, values, beliefs, languages and ways of life in society. The school acknowledges the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parent’s choice, subject to the resources available to the school including classroom accommodation, class size, teaching resources and financial resources and subject to the capacity of the school to provide for the needs of any applicant or student. It will make every effort to secure those resources – where the
resources cannot be secured the school may refuse admission. The school is staffed in accordance with the standard pupil – teacher ratios sanctioned by the Department and any additional teaching hours sanctioned by the Department in respect of curricular concessions, special needs, special programmes etc.
The capacity of the school to implement its desired curriculum, its broad range of educational programmes, its school plan and policies are dependent on the resources it receives. Consequently, in determining its activities and programme for any school year the school must have due regard to the teaching, management and administrative resources and the accommodation, equipment and funding available to it.

 

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, 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, Resource/Learning support 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

Policy Considerations

The Board of Management of Kiltiernan National School reserves the right of admission if such admissions contravene Departmental guidelines on class size, etc.

The school will not refuse a child on the basis of ethnicity, special education needs, disability, traveller status, refugee status, political or religious beliefs, family or social circumstances, provided the necessary supports are in place in the school.

The Board of Management respects parental choice in relation to enrolment, provided the enrolment criteria are fulfilled.

The Board of Management of Kiltiernan National School, in its Policy of Admissions/Enrolment, respects the rights of the existing school community and the children already enrolled. Consequently, the Board of Management reserves the right to determine the maximum number of children in each class, bearing in mind:
• Integration of children with Special needs to Mainstream Classes
• Health & Safety Concerns regarding Staff and Children
• Available classroom space
• Multi-grade classes
• Educational needs of the children
• Department of Education & Science class size directives
• Appropriate Supports and Resources are available
• Time of school year

 

Procedures – Application, Enrolment Criteria & Decision / Appeals

• Failure to fully complete forms may result in refusal to admit a student.
• Further relevant information may be sought at a later stage
• In applying the criteria for enrolment, the school will take into account Gender
Balance Male / Female and limitations in the size of classes

Admission to the school is, of course, subject to the resources available to the school including classroom accommodation, class size, teaching resources and financial resources, and subject to the capacity of the school to provide for the needs of those who apply for admission. Where the school lacks the necessary resources to meet the needs of any applicant or student, it will make every effort to secure those resources- where the resources cannot be secured, the school reserves the unfettered right to refuse admission. It is the responsibility of parents / guardians of any child to inform the school of any such needs on the enrolment application form for the child’s own welfare. In this context the school authorities will have equal regard for the welfare
of all the students and their right to an education in an atmosphere that is not detrimental to their physical, emotional, moral, social or intellectual development. Failure to fully complete the application form, failure to supply any relevant information requested by the school or failure to make reasonable arrangements to meet with the school authorities to discuss the application may result in a child being refused admission to the school.

Application Procedure

The Board of Management will communicate generally to the school community
through appropriate channels e.g. newsletter, parish bulletin, church announcements
& parents letters to outline the application for enrolment procedures.

Parents seeking to enrol their child(ren) in Kiltiernan should return a completed enrolment application form (available in the office) with an original birth/adoption certificate to the school

Application for immediate admission in the current school year

• Application forms are available from the school.
• Failure to fully complete forms will result in refusal to admit the applicant
• The behaviour record of a student in their previous school shall be considered
• The attendance record of a student in their previous school shall be considered

Junior Infant Enrolment Procedure

Telephone calls or personal school visits concerning enrolment will be facilitated, but are not in themselves enrolment applications.
Parents wishing to enroll their children in Junior Infants will be invited to come the the school in June previous to their child beginning school. Registration forms will be distributed at this meeting. Registration forms are also available on request from the Principal.
All decisions in relation to application for enrolment are made by the Board of
Management of Kiltiernan, in accordance with this school policy. In accordance with the Education Welfare Act 2000, the board will notify all parents of their decision with 21 days of receiving all required information.
As a general principle, and in so far as is practicable, having regard for Kiltiernan’s enrolment policy, all Junior Infant children will be enrolled upon application provided there is space available.
Pupils may only be enrolled from the age of 4 and upwards, though compulsory attendance does not apply until the age of 6.
The Board of Management strongly recommends that applicant children are at least four years of age on or before April 30 of the school commencement year.

Provision of Information by Parents.

Certain Information will be required when children are being enrolled. Kiltiernan
N.S has a specific registration application forms. This information includes the following
1. Pupil’s name, date of birth, address
2. Names/Address of Guardians
3. Contact Telephone numbers-Landline and mobile
4. Emergency numbers
5. Religion
6. Details of any medical conditions
7. Details of any court orders in relation to guardianship
8. Previous schools attended, if any, and reasons for transfer if applicable
9. Attached original birth/Adoption certificate.

Junior Infant Enrolment Criteria

If the number of children on the Waiting List exceeds the number of places available, the following prioritising criteria are used:

[ultimatetables 1 /]

Pupils may be enrolled during the school year if newly resident in the area. Pupils wishing to transfer from other schools are enrolled subject to the Rules for National Schools, Education Welfare Act and the school’s enrolment policy. Pupils may not be transferred from other schools during the school term.

All children enrolled are expected to comply with and support the school’s Code of Behaviour, as well as the school’s designated policies on Curriculum, Organisation and Management.

Criteria for Enrolment to Senior Infants to 6m Classes

The following criteria will be applied if there is a surplus of applications for available places in the Senior Infants to 6 classes.

[ultimatetables 2 /]
Pupils may be enrolled during the school year if newly resident in the area. Pupils wishing to transfer from other schools are enrolled subject to the Rules for National Schools, Education Welfare Act , the school’s enrolment policy, available space and in some cases the approval of the Department of Education and Science.Priority Criterion
1 Priority is given to brothers and sisters of children already in the school
or who have attended the school in the past.
2 Families whose primary residence is either (a) in the immediate school
areas of Ardrahan Parish, starting closest to the and radiating outwards from the school within the Parish or (b) in Ballinderreen Parish
3 Children of current teaching staff.
4 Children of parents who are past pupils of the school.

Information will be required concerning attendance and the child’s educational progress from the previous school .Parents are informed that the Board of Management must meet to discuss pending enrolments.
We do not propose to accept pupils from outside the catchment areas without prior consultation with the schools, which children may be already attending, or should be attending, and receiving notification from that school that transfer of pupils is acceptable to them. Pupils may not be transferred from other schools during the school term.

All children enrolled are expected to comply with and support the school’s Code of Behaviour, as well as the school’s designated policies on Curriculum, Organisation and Management.

Children with Special Needs

Children with special needs enrolling in Kiltiernan N.S. will be resourced in
accordance with the level of resources provided by the Department of Education and
Science to the Board of Management
The Board of Management may request a copy of the child’s medical and/or psychological report or request that the child be assessed immediately in order to assist the school in establishing the educational needs of the child and to profile the support services required. The Board of Management will endeavour to have all resources and support in place before the child is admitted to the school. This may include visiting teacher service, resource teacher, special needs assistants etc, specialised equipment or furniture, transport services etc.

The school will meet with the parents of the special needs child to discuss the school’s suitability for the child. If necessary a full case conference may be called including parents, class teacher, learning support teacher, resource teacher and psychologist or social workers as appropriate.

It may be necessary for the Board of Management to defer enrolment of a child pending assessment report and/or provision of resources by the Department of Education and Science to meet the needs specified by in the psychological and a medical report.

Notwithstanding the availability of such resources, parents of children who are unsatisfied with level of educational provision in our school are advised to consider a special school

Retention of Pupils in same grade in Kiltiernan N.S
The Primary Curriculum is flexible and child-centered and can be adapted to meet children’s needs.
Under Department policy, children should only be allowed to repeat a year for educational reasons and in exceptional circumstances. In such exceptional circumstances the Principal, following consultation with both the class and learning support/resource teacher may conclude that a pupil would benefit educationally by repeating a grade level. A record outling the basis for the decision will be retained by the school. A clear programme will be outlined for that pupil stating what new approaches will be used for him/her and what its expected benefit shall be.
No pupil shall repeat a grade more than once in a primary school.

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.

Evaluation

The Board of Management will monitor the implementation of all aspects of
the Policy and review and amend the Policy as required, with particular emphasis placed upon
• Effective management placed on application process
• Clarity and transparency relating to the process
• Applicants informed in good time re the status of their application, particularly in the case of refusal to enrol
• Positive Parental feedback

Monitoring Procedures

The implementations of this policy will be monitored by the Board of Management at the appropriate time. It will also be referred by the Principal for consideration by the full staff at the same time. The Principal will report to the Board of Management regarding the process of enrolment in May/June each year and regularly thereafter at each Board of Management meeting. Where the Principal refuses admission to any applicant, by the authority delegated to him by the Board in line with this policy, any such refusal shall be communicated to the Board at the earliest opportunity.

Review Procedure

The policy will be reviewed regularly in the light of experience. It will be reviewed
by the full staff and Board of Management every five years. Any staff member, board member, parent, guardian or student who is unhappy with the content or the implementation of any school policy may request a review at any time and such a request will be dealt with as quickly as possible.