Enrolment Admissions

Introductory Statement.

The Board of St. John of God School hereby detail the Enrolment Policy pertaining in the school as of 4th December 2018. This is in accordance with the provisions of the Sections of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 commenced on 3rd October 2018 and Section 11 – Amendment of the Equal Status Act 2000.

St. John of God Convent School is a Catholic Primary School under the patronage and trusteeship of the Bishop of Ferns. It was established in 1875 under the trusteeship of the Sisters of St. John of God.

At present Staff is comprised of the Principal, the Home School Community Liaison Teacher, Learning Support Teachers and Mainstream Class teachers, SNAs, secretary, cleaner and cleaner / caretaker.

All classes from Junior Infants to Sixth are taught in mixed groupings of boys and girls.

While every effort is made to keep classes in single grade settings, on occasion there are multi-grade classes in the Faythe School. The formation of multi-grade classes is at the sole discretion of the teaching staff.

The school operates under the direction of the Department of Education & Science (D.E.S.) from which grants and resources are received annually.

The school curriculum followed is the Revised Curriculum for Primary Schools (1999) produced by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment in conjunction with D.E.S. This curriculum may be amended from time to time in accordance with sections 9 & 30 of the Education Act (1998)

As a general principle and in so far as practicable having regard to the school’s enrolment policy, children will be enrolled on application, provided there is space available.

The Board will have regard for relevant Department of Education & Science guidelines in relation to class size and staffing provisions and / or any other relevant requirements concerning accommodation, including physical space and the health and welfare of the children.

The Board is bound by the Department of Education & 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 children's age will determine who are offered places
On enrolment of children with special needs, the Board of Management will request a copy of the child’s medical and/or psychological report. Where such a report is not available, the BOM 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 receipt of the report, the Board will assess how the school can meet the needs specified in the report. Where the Board deems that further resources are required, it will request that the Special Education Needs Organiser (NCSE see Circular 01/05) provide the resources required to meet the needs of the child as outlined in the psychological and/or medical report. These resources may include, access to or the 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 other.

The school will meet with the parents/guardians of the child 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 will be held. These may include parents, principal, class teacher, learning support teacher, resource teacher
for special needs, psychologist/OT, as appropriate.

Dual enrolment for children with special needs attending special schools will be considered on a case by case
basis.
The school reserves the right to refuse enrolment to a pupil in exceptional cases. Such an exceptional case could arise where either:

 The pupil has special needs such that, even with additional resources available from the
Department of Education and Skills, the school cannot meet such needs and/or provide the pupil with an appropriate education.

 In the opinion of the Board of Management, the pupil poses an unacceptable risk, to themselves, to other pupils, to school staff or to school property (see Appeals Procedure below).
In accordance with the Education Act (1998), a right of appeal against a decision not to enrol a child is provided for disappointed applicants: Appeals should be presented in writing to the Chairperson of the Board of Management , within a reasonable time (normally two weeks) of the decision being made.
Image
Copyright ©2020 St. John of God Primary School - The Faythe. All Rights Reserved