Admission Policy of Loughquittane N S
School Address:Muckross, Killarney, Co Kerry. V93 RF96
School Website: www.loughquittanens.ie
Roll number: 10049M
School Patron: Bishop Ray Browne
1. Introduction
This Admission Policy complies with the requirements of the Education Act 1998, the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 and the Equal Status Act 2000, and outlines two categories of admission procedure – initial enrolment of Junior Infants and transfer to school from another mainstream school. In drafting this policy, the board of management of Loughquittane NS has consulted with school staff, the school patron and with parents of children attending the school.
The policy was approved by the school patron on 29th April 2020. It is published on the school’s website and will be made available in hardcopy, on request, to any person who requests it.
The relevant dates and timelines forLoughquittane NSadmission process are set out in the school’s Annual Admission Notice which is published annually on the school’s website at least one week before the commencement of the admission process for the school year concerned.
This policy must be read in conjunction with the Annual Admission Notice for the school year concerned.
The application form for admission is published on the school’s website and will be made available in hardcopy on request to any person who requests it.
2. Characteristic spirit and general objectives of the school
Loughquittane NS is a Catholic co-educational primary school with a Catholic ethos under the patronage of the Bishop of Kerry.
“Catholic Ethos” in the context of a Catholic primary school means the ethos and characteristic spirit of the Roman Catholic Church, which aims at promoting:
a. the full and harmonious development of all aspects of the person of the pupil, a living including relationship with God and with other people; and
b. the intellectual, physical, cultural, moral and spiritual aspects; and
c. a philosophy of life inspired by belief in God and in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus; and
d. the formation of the pupils in the Catholic faith;
and which school provides religious education for the pupils in accordance with the doctrines, practices and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church, and/or such ethos and/or characteristic spirit as may be determined or interpreted from time to time by the Irish Episcopal Conference.
In accordance with S.15 (2) (b) of the Education Act, 1998 the Board of Management of Loughquittane NS shall uphold, and be accountable to the patron for so upholding, the characteristic spirit of the school as determined by the cultural, educational, moral, religious, social, linguistic and spiritual values and traditions which inform and are characteristic of the objectives and conduct of the school.
Mission Statement of Loughquittane NS
Loughquittane N.S. operates under the Rules for National Schools, The Education Act (1998), The Education Welfare Act (2000), enacted sections of the Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs Act (2004), all relevant equality legislation and the Department of Education and Skills (DES), and the changes brought about by the Commencement Order signed by the Minister for Education and Skills on 3rd October, 2018. Loughquittane N.S. depends on the grants and teacher resources provided by the Department of Education and Skills, and it operates within the regulations laid down, from time to time, by the Department.
Our aims are the same as all schools in that we strive —
1. To enable the child to live a full and interesting life as a child.
2. To equip each child to avail himself/herself of further education so that he/she may go on to live a full and useful life as an adult in society.
3. To prepare children to make valuable use of their leisure time.
Each child will be treated as an individual and be given opportunities that will enable him/her to develop his/her natural powers, skills and talents to his/her fullest capacity, so that s/he will benefit from, and use these skills and talents in the future.
Children are encouraged to think creatively, to question and to problem solve through a variety of curriculum areas and discovery learning.
We want our children to be happy, fulfilled, good people, willing to help one another, with a clear idea of right and wrong, good and bad.
The school follows the curricular programmes prescribed by the DES, which may be
amended from time to time, in accordance with Sections 9 and 30 of the Education Act
(1998). Within the context and parameters of DES regulations and programmes, the rights of the patron as set out in the Education Act (1998), and the funding and resources available, the school supports the principles of:
• Inclusiveness, particularly with reference to the enrolment of children with a disability or special educational need;
• Equality of access and participation in the school;
• Parental choice in relation to enrolment
• Respect for diversity of values, beliefs, traditions, languages and ways of life in society
3. Admission Statement
Loughquittane NSwill not discriminate in its admission of a student to the school on any of the following:
a. the gender ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
b. the civil status ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
c. the family status ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
d. the sexual orientation ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
e. the religion ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
f. the disability ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
g. the ground of race of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
h. the Traveller community ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned, or
i. the ground that the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned has special educational needs
As per section 61 (3) of the Education Act 1998, ‘civil status ground’, ‘disability ground’, ‘discriminate’, ‘family status ground’, ‘gender ground’, ‘ground of race’, ‘religion ground’, ‘sexual orientation ground’ and ‘Traveller community ground’ shall be construed in accordance with section 3 of the Equal Status Act 2000.
Loughquittane NSis a school whose objective is to provide education in an environment which promotes certain religious values and does not discriminate where it refuses to admit as a student a person who is not of the Catholic faith and it is proved that the refusal is essential to maintain the ethos of the school.
Note for Parents: the inclusion of the above wording was mandated by the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018.
4. Categories of Special Educational Needs catered for in the school
Children with SEN are integrated into mainstream classes at Loughquittane NS and are catered for by their mainstream class teacher with the support of the Special Education Team, in consultation with the parents, SENO, NEPS and HSE.
5. Admission of Students
This school shall admit each student seeking admission except where –
a. the school is oversubscribed (please see section 6 below for further details)
b. a parent of a student, when required by the principal in accordance with section 23(4) of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, fails to confirm in writing that the code of behaviour of the school is acceptable to him or her and that he or she shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with such code by the student
Loughquittane NSis a Catholic school and may refuse to admit as a student a person who is not of the Catholic faith where it is proved that the refusal is essential to maintain the ethos of the school.
Note for Parents: the inclusion of the above wording was mandated by the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018.
6. Oversubscription
In the event that the school is oversubscribed, the school will, when deciding on applications for admission, apply the following selection criteria (determined by BoM), in the order listed below to those applications that are received within the timeline for receipt of applications as set out in the school’s annual admission notice:
1. Applicants with siblings currently and/or previously enrolled in Loughquittane NS, including stepsiblings, priority eldest;
2. Children residing in the parish and / or within a 3km radius of the school, priority eldest;
3. Children of staff members, priority eldest
4. Random selection (independently verified)
In the event that there are two or more students tied for a place or places in any of the selection criteria categories above (the number of applicants exceeds the number of remaining places), the following arrangements will apply:
• Priority to eldest in accordance with the above criteria
7. What will not be considered or taken into account
In accordance with section 62(7) (e) of the Education Act, the school will not consider or take into account any of the following in deciding on applications for admission or when placing a student on a waiting list for admission to the school:
a. a student’s prior attendance at a pre-school or pre-school service, including naíonraí,
b. the payment of fees or contributions (howsoever described) to the school;
c. a student’s academic ability, skills or aptitude;
d. the occupation, financial status, academic ability, skills or aptitude of a student’s parents;
e. a requirement that a student, or his or her parents, attend an interview, open day or other meeting as a condition of admission;
f. a student’s connection to the school by virtue of a member of his or her family attending or having previously attended the school; (other than siblings of a student attending or having attended the school)
g. the date and time on which an application for admission was received by the school,
This is subject to the application being received at any time during the period specified for receiving applications set out in the annual admission notice of the school for the school year concerned.
8. Decisions on applications
All decisions on applications for admission toLoughquittane NSwill be based on the following:
• Our school’s Admission Policy
• The school’s Annual Admission Notice (where applicable)
• The informationprovided by the applicant in the school’s official application form received during the period specified in our Annual Admission Notice for receiving applications
(Please see section 14 below in relation to applications received outside of the admissions period and section 15 below in relation to applications for places in years other than the intake group.)
Selection criteria that are not included in our school admission policy will not be used to make a decision on an application for a place in our school.
9. Notifying applicants of decisions
Applicants will be informed in writing as to the decision of the school, within the timeline outlined in the Annual Admissions Notice.
If a student is not offered a place in our school, the reasons why they were not offered a place will be communicated in writing to the applicant, including, where applicable, details of the student’s ranking against the selection criteria and details of the student’s place on the waiting list for the school year concerned.
Applicants will be informed of the right to seek a review/right of appeal of the school’s decision (see section 18 below for further details).
10. Acceptance of an offer of a place by an applicant
In accepting an offer of admission from Loughquittane NS, you must indicate—
(i) whether or not you have accepted an offer of admission for another school or schools. If you have accepted such an offer, you must also provide details of the offer or offers concerned and
(ii) whether or not you have applied for and awaiting confirmation of an offer of admission from another school or schools, and if so, you must provide details of the other school or schools concerned.
11. Circumstances in which offers may not be made or may be withdrawn
An offer of admission may not be made or may be withdrawn by Loughquittane NSwhere—
i. it is established that information contained in the application is false or misleading.
ii. an applicant fails to confirm acceptance of an offer of admission on or before the dateset out in the annual admission notice of the school.
iii. the parent of a student, when required by the principal in accordance with section 23(4) of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, fails to confirm in writing that the Code of Behaviour of the school is acceptable to him or her and that he or she shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with such Code by the student; or
iv. an applicant has failed to comply with the requirements of ‘acceptance of an offer’ as set out in section 10 above.
12. Sharing of Data with other schools
Applicants should be aware that section 66(6) of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 allows for the sharing of certain information between schools in order to facilitate the efficient admission of students.
Section 66(6) allows a school to provide a patron or another board of management with a list of the students in relation to whom—
(i) an application for admission to the school has been received,
(ii) an offer of admission to the school has been made, or
(iii) an offer of admission to the school has been accepted.
The list may include any or all of the following:
(i) the date on which an application for admission was received by the school;
(ii) the date on which an offer of admission was made by the school;
(iii) the date on which an offer of admission was accepted by an applicant;
(iv) a student’s personal details including his or her name, address, date of birth and personal public service number (within the meaning of section 262 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005).
13. Waiting list in the event of oversubscription
In the event of there being more applications to the school year concerned than places available, a waiting list of students whose applications for admission to Loughquittane NSwere unsuccessful due to the school being oversubscribed will be compiled and will remain valid for the school year in which admission is being sought.
Placement on the waiting list of Loughquittane NS is in the order of priority assigned to the students’ applications after the school has applied the selection criteria in accordance with this admission policy.
Applicants whose applications are received after the closing date, outlined in the Annual Admission Notice, will be placed at the end of the waiting list in order of the date of receipt of the application.
Offers of any subsequent places that become available for and during the school year in relation to which admission is being sought will be made to those students on the waiting list, in accordance with the order of priority in relation to which the students have been placed on the list.
14. Late Applications
All applications for admission received after the closing date as outlined in the Annual Admission Notice will be considered and decided upon in accordance with our school’s Admissions Policy, the Education Admissions to School Act 2018 and any regulations made under that Act.
Late applicants will be notified of the decision in respect of their application no later than three weeks after the date on which the school received the application. Late applicants will be offered a place if there is a place available. In the event that there is no place available, the name of the applicant will be added to the waiting list as set out in Section 13.
15. Procedures for admission of students to other years and during the school year
The procedures of the school in relation to the admission of students who are not already admitted to the school to classes or years other than the school’s intake group are as follows:
Applications for enrolment during the school year will be considered subject to school policy, available space and the provision of information concerning attendance and the child’s educational progress.
Such applications will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis but will normally only be considered for admission on the first day of each new term unless the applicant is newly resident in the area.
The procedures of the school in relation to the admission of students who are not already admitted to the school, after the commencement of the school year in which admission is sought, are as follows:
In the event of there being more applications to the school year concerned than places available, a waiting list of students whose applications for admission to Loughquittane NS were unsuccessful due to the school being oversubscribed will be compiled and will remain valid for the school year in which admission is being sought.
Placement on the waiting list of Loughquittane NS is in the order of priority assigned to the students’ applications after the school has applied the selection criteria in accordance with this admission policy.
Junior Infants, with the exception of students transferring from another school, may only be admitted to the school prior to September 15th.
16. Declaration in relation to the non-charging of fees
The board of Loughquittane NSor any persons acting on its behalf will not charge fees for or seek payment or contributions (howsoever described) as a condition of-
a. an application for admission of a student to the school, or
b. the admission or continued enrolment of a student in the school.
17. Arrangements regarding students not attending religious instruction
Our school is of a Catholic ethos and, in keeping with that ethos, children of all or no other faith are welcome to apply to this school.
We respect the decision of parents to withdraw their child/children from taking part in the religious education curriculum, religious ceremonies and school Masses.
The following are the school’s arrangements for students, where the parent(s)/guardian(s) have requested that the student attend the school without attending religious instruction (etc.) in the school. These arrangements will not result in a reduction in the school day of such students:
A written request should be made to the Principal of the school. A meeting will then be arranged with the parent(s)/guardian(s) of the student, to discuss how the request may be accommodated by the school.
18. Reviews/appeals
Review of decisions by the Board of Management
The parents/guardians of the student, may request the board to review a decision to refuse admission. Such requests must be made in accordance with Section 29C of the Education Act 1998.
The timeline within which such a review must be requested and the other requirements applicable to such reviews are set out in the procedures determined by the Minister under section 29B of the Education Act 1998 which are published on the website of the Department of Education and Skills.
The Board will conduct such reviews in accordance with the requirements of the procedures determined under Section 29B and with section 29C of the Education Act 1998.
Note: Where an applicant has been refused admission due to the school being oversubscribed, the applicant must request a review of that decision by the BOM prior to making an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act 1998.
Where an applicant has been refused admission due to a reason other than the school being oversubscribed, the applicant may request a review of that decision by the BOM prior to making an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act 1998.
Right of appeal
Under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, the parents/guardians of the student, may appeal a decision of Loughquittane NS to refuse admission.
An appeal may be made under Section 29 (1) (c) (i) of the Education Act 1998 where the refusal to admit was due to the school being oversubscribed.
An appeal may be made under Section 29 (1) (c) (ii) of the Education Act 1998 where the refusal to admit was due a reason other than the school being oversubscribed.
Where an applicant has been refused admission due to the school being oversubscribed, the applicant must request a review of that decision by the BOM prior to making an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act 1998. (see Review of decisions by the Board of Management)
Where an applicant has been refused admission due to a reason other than the school being oversubscribed, the applicant may request a review of that decision by the BOM prior to making an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act 1998. (see Review of decisions by the Board of Management)
Appeals under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 will be considered and determined by an independent appeals committee appointed by the Minister for Education and Skills.
The timeline within which such an appeal must be made and the other requirements applicable to such appeals are set out in the procedures determined by the Minister under section 29B of the Education Act 1998 which are published on the website of the Department of Education and Skills.
The draft policy was ratified by the Board of Management of LoughquittaneNS on 24th April, 2020.
Signed: Lily Cronin Chairperson, Board of Management
The contents of this policy have been approved by St. Senan’s Education Office, acting on behalf of the Patron.
Loughquittane NS
ANNUAL ADMISSION NOTICE
in respect of admissions to the 2021/22 school year-
Admission Policy and Application Form
A copy of the school’s Admission Policy and the Application Form for Admission for the 2021/22 is available as follows: –
To download at: www.loughquittanens.ie
On request: By emailing loughquittanens@gmail.com or writing to Loughquittane NS, Muckross, Killarney, V93 RF96
PART 1 – Admissions to the 2021/22 school year
Application and Decision Dates for admission to 2021/22
The following are the dates applicable for admission to Junior Infants
• Loughquittane NS will commence accepting applications for admission on 2nd October 2020
• Loughquittane NS will cease accepting applications for admission on 31st January, 2021
• Applicants will be notified of the decision on their application on 20th February, 2021
• Applicants must confirm acceptance of an offer of admission by March 31st, 2021
*Failure to accept an offer within the prescribed period above may result in the offer being withdrawn
Note: the school will consider and issue decisions on late applications in accordance with the school’s admission policy.
Number of places being made available in 2021/22 in Junior Infants is 15 (determined by the Board, based on the number of children in the current Junior infant class and the number of children in 6th class).
Loughquittane NS has made offers of school placement which have been accepted prior to the commencement of Section 62 of the Education (Admission to Schools) 2018 on 1 February 2020, the number of those places offered and accepted for Junior Infants intake group for 2021/22 is 10.
Appendix 1
Loughquittane National School
Enrolment Application Form
Pupil’s First Name: Surname:____________________
Date of Birth: _________________________ Gender: _________________________
Address (at which the applicant resides): _____________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________
Name and class of Sibling(s) currently enrolled:_________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Parish in which the applicant resides: _________________________________________________
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Details:
Name: _______________________________________ [ ] Parent [ ] Custodian [ ] Legal Guardian
Address: _________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Home Tel. __________________ Mobile __________________ Email. _______________________
Name: _______________________________________ [ ] Parent [ ] Custodian [ ] Legal Guardian
Address: _________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Home Tel. __________________ Mobile __________________ Email. ________________________
Signature 1: _________________________ Signature 2: _________________________
Date: _________________ Date: _________
________
Completed enrolment applications must be returned to Loughquittane NS no later than 3pm on January 31st
Appendix (2)
Loughquittane National School
School Enrolment Form
Pupil’s First Name: _____________ Surname: _________________
Date of Birth: ________________ Child’s PPSN: ______________
Address: ___________________________________________________
e-mail address: _________________ Eircode: ______________
Nationality: ___________________
Parent’s/ Guardian’s Name: _____________________ Mobile No:______ Parent’s/ Guardian’s Name: _____________________ Mobile No:______
*If you change your mobile number during the school year please inform us immediately as it is vital to keep records up to date in case of an emergency.
Position of child in family (1st, 2nd, 3rd, youngest) _______
Religious denomination: ________
Did you child attend preschool: ______ For how long: _______
Name of Preschool / Playschool: _________________________________
Has your child ever had a psychological assessment?________________
Has your child ever received a speech and language report?___________
Please give names, addresses and phone numbers of the people who have permission to collect your child from school or who may be contacted in the case of an emergency. If there is any change in this routine please inform the school in writing.
Person who usually collects child(ren)
______________________________________Phone________________
_____________________________________ Phone________________
_____________________________________ Phone________________
Parents and legal guardians are entitled to be consulted and informed about their child’s education and are entitled to access to their child during school hours. If there is any change in this regard or if there is any other information which you think may be relevant to the education and/or pastoral care of your child it is very important that the school is informed immediately.
Other relevant information: ____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Medical Emergency/Accident
That in the event of an emergency or accident, a member of staff will use his/her discretion and bring your child to a Doctor/Hospital. Every effort will be made to contact you.
I authorise that at their discretion a member of staff may bring mychild/children to a Doctor/Hospital if an emergency arises.
Signed (Parent/Guardian): ________________________
Family Doctor (Only if you wish)
Doctor’s Name _______________________Telephone No: ___________
Do your child/children have any specific medical condition (e.g. asthma, eyesight, hearing etc.) or emotional problems which may affect your child at school?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
It is the responsibility of parent(s)/guardian(s) to notify the school of any food allergies. Does your child/children have an allergic reaction to medication or food?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
The information provided in this form is necessary for the work of the school, and is confidential to the school. However it must be shared with the Department of Education Pupil Online Database (POD)
From time to time we need to provide information to the Health Board. I give permission to allow my family details (name, address, date of birth, etc.) to be given to agencies such as HSE to facilitate immunisations, sight and hearing tests, and dental appointments. Yes / No
From time to time we need to compile lists of children’s and parents’ names and telephone numbers when organising school-related activities. Under the Data Protection Act we are not in a position to compile such lists without your consent. I agree to have ___________’s name, parent’s name and telephone numbers included in such lists. Yes / No
The Code of Behaviour and Anti-Bullying Policies are available to read on www.loughquittanens.ie and in hardcopy in the school. I / We have read, and support and agree to abide by these policies. Yes / No
Screening Tests are carried out in the school on all children from Infants to 6th Class. I allow my child to do these tests. Yes / No
During your child’s time in Loughquittane National School, it may be necessary from time-to-time for teachers to carry out diagnostic testing with your child on an individual basis in order to help them in their educational development. I give permission for any necessary diagnostic tests to be carried out with my child. Yes / No
I give permission to allow __________ to receive support teaching from the SET if deemed necessary. Yes / No
I give permission for my child to participate in school related activities including tours and sports and /or cultural events, outside of the school premises. Yes / No
I give permission to allow ___________’s photograph/image to be included in school-related activities, competitions and on the school website Yes / No
I wish to enrol my child ________________
I declare the above information to be correct and understand that it will be treated as confidential.
Signed:__________________ Date: _________________
Principal’s signature: _______________Date:______________
Birth Certificate received: Yes No
Email: loughquittanens@gmail.com Phone: 064 6634765