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. In drafting this policy, the Board of Management of the school has consulted with school staff, the school Patron and with parents/guardians of children attending the school.The policy was approved by the school Patron on 15 September 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 for Scoil Mhuire’s admission 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 Admission Application Form 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 & General Objectives of the School

Scoil Mhuire is a Catholic, co-educational, vertical primary school (Junior Infants to 6th Class) with an Early Intervention Class and three Primary Classes for children with autism/autistic spectrum disorders. The school has a Catholic ethos and operates under the patronage of the Bishop of Ferns.

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:

  • The full and harmonious development of all aspects of the person of the pupil, a living relationship with God and with other people
  • Including the intellectual, physical, cultural, moral and spiritual aspects
  • A philosophy of life inspired by belief in God and in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus
  • 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 Scoil Mhuire 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.

Scoil Mhuire is a primary school that is richly diverse from the perspectives of nationality, ethnicity, cultural traditions and religious beliefs. Our main aim is to provide an open, welcoming and nurturing environment where children flourish.  In Scoil Mhuire we offer a broad and holistic education with the express goal that each child who attends our school will feel important, included and respected. Our goal is that each child will emerge as a secure and self-reliant learner and young person having been facilitated to play an active role in the life of Scoil Mhuire and equipped to play a confident and involved role in their local community. Scoil Mhuire aims to achieve this through the open and collaborative endeavour of children, parents, staff, management and the wider community, in which each person’s contribution is encouraged, valued and maximised.

3. Admission Statement

Scoil Mhuire will not discriminate in its admission of a pupil to the school on any of the following:

  • The gender of the pupil or the applicant in respect of the pupil concerned
  • The civil status of the pupil or the applicant in respect of the pupil concerned
  • The family status of the pupil or the applicant in respect of the pupil concerned
  • The sexual orientation of the pupil or the applicant in respect of the pupil concerned
  • The religion of the pupil or the applicant in respect of the pupil concerned
  • The disability of the pupil or the applicant in respect of the pupil concerned
  • The race of the pupil or the applicant in respect of the pupil concerned
  • If the pupil or the applicant in respect of the pupil is a member of the Traveller community, or
  • If the pupil or the applicant in respect of the pupil 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.

Scoil Mhuire is 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 pupil a person who is not Catholic and it is proved that the refusal is essential to maintain the ethos of the school.

Scoil Mhuire is a school which has established four classes, with the approval of the Minister for Education and Skills, which provide an education exclusively for pupils with a category of special educational needs specified by the Minister and may refuse to admit to the class a pupil who does not have the category of needs specified.

4. Categories of Special Educational Needs Catered for in the Special Classes

Scoil Mhuire, with the approval of the Minister for Education and Skills, has established an Early Intervention Class and three Primary Classes to provide an education exclusively for pupils with autism/autistic spectrum disorders.

Our Early Intervention Class requires a diagnostic report prepared by a Psychologist, Psychiatrist or Multi-Disciplinary Team within the last two years that has assessed and classified the child as having autism/autistic spectrum disorder using the DSM-V or ICD 10 and the child must be three years of age on enrolment. Our Primary Classes require a diagnostic report prepared by a Psychologist, Psychiatrist or Multi-Disciplinary Team within the last two years that has assessed and classified the child as having autism/autistic spectrum disorder using the DSM-V or ICD 10, including a recommendation that a Special Class placement in a mainstream school is both necessary and suitable for the child and the child must be four years of age on enrolment.

5. Admission of Pupils

This school shall admit each pupil seeking admission except where:

  • The school is oversubscribed (please see Section 6 below for further details)
  • A parent of a pupil, 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 pupil.

Scoil Mhuire is a Catholic school and may refuse to admit as a pupil a person who is not Roman Catholic where it is proved that the refusal is essential to maintain the ethos of the school.

The Early Intervention Class and Primary Classes attached to Scoil Mhuire provide an education exclusively for pupils with autism/autistic spectrum disorders and the school may refuse admission to these classes, where the pupil concerned does not have the specified category of special educational needs provided for in these classes.

6. Oversubscription

6.1 Oversubscription in Mainstream Classes

In the event that the school is oversubscribed, the school will, when deciding on applications for admission, apply the following selection criteria 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. Children with a diagnosis of autism/autistic spectrum disorders enrolled in the Early Intervention Class or Primary Class where the Principal and staff, parents/guardians, and external professionals agree that a mainstream placement is in the best interests of the pupil.
  2. Siblings of a pupil (including step siblings and foster siblings) attending or having attended the school.
  3. Children who reside in the Parish of Clonard.
  4. All others.

In the event that there are two or more pupils 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:

  • Admission will be by age, beginning with the oldest, until all the places are filled. In the event of a tie between siblings, each will be admitted.

6.2 Oversubscription in the Early Intervention Class

In the event that the Early Intervention Class is oversubscribed, the school will, when deciding on applications for admission, apply the following selection criteria 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 to the Early Intervention Class that meet the enrolment criteria as set out in Section 4 above:

  1. Siblings of a pupil (including step siblings and foster siblings) attending or having attended the school, who meet the enrolment criteria.
  2. Children residing in the Borough District of Wexford who meet the enrolment criteria. Proof of address will be provided in the form of two utility bills dated within the previous three months at the time of the school’s request for such confirmation.
  3. If places are still available, places will be allocated as per the waiting list, once an assessment has been made by the Admissions Team (Principal, SEN Coordinator and Special Class teacher) that the applicant meets the enrolment criteria.

In the event that there are two or more pupils 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:

  • Admission will be by age, beginning with the youngest, until all the places are filled.

6.3 Oversubscription in Primary Classes

In the event that the Primary Classes are oversubscribed, the school will, when deciding on applications for admission, apply the following selection criteria 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 to the Primary Classes that meet the enrolment criteria as set out in Section 4 above:

  1. Pupils enrolled in the Early Intervention Class who are due to complete their period of enrolment.
  2. Pupils who previously attended a Primary Class in Scoil Mhuire and following a period of full integration in a mainstream class have been reassessed and have a recommendation of re-enrolment in a Primary Class.
  3. Pupils already enrolled in a mainstream class in Scoil Mhuire where it has been demonstrated that the pupil requires the support of a Primary Class because he/she is unable to learn effectively in a mainstream class for most or all of the school day even with appropriate supports and where the pupil meets the enrolment criteria.
  4. Siblings of a pupil (including step siblings and foster siblings) attending or having attended the school, who meet the enrolment criteria.
  5. Children residing in the Borough District of Wexford who meet the enrolment criteria. Proof of address will be provided in the form of two utility bills dated within the previous three months at the time of the school’s request for such confirmation.
  6. If places are still available, places will be allocated as per the waiting list, once an assessment has been made by the Admissions Team (Principal, SEN Coordinator and Special Class teacher) that the applicant meets the enrolment criteria.

In the event that there are two or more pupils 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:

  • Admission will be by age, beginning with the oldest, until all the places are filled.

7. What Will Not be Considered or Taken Into Account

In accordance with Section 62(7) (e) of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, the school will not consider or take into account any of the following in deciding on applications for admission or when placing a pupil on a waiting list for admission to the school:

  1. A pupil’s prior attendance at a pre-school or pre-school service, including naíonraí, other than in relation to a pupil’s prior attendance at the Early Intervention Class
  2. The payment of fees or contributions (howsoever described) to the school
  3. A pupil’s academic ability, skills or aptitude other than in relation to admission to our Special Class insofar as it is necessary in order to ascertain whether or not the pupil has the category of special educational needs concerned
  4. The occupation, financial status, academic ability, skills or aptitude of a pupil’s parent/guardian
  5. A requirement that a pupil, or his or her parent/guardian, attend an interview, open day or other meeting as a condition of admission
  6. A pupil’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 pupil (including step siblings and foster siblings) attending or having attended the school
  7. 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.

This is also subject to the school making offers based on existing waiting lists (up until 31st January 2025 only).

8. Decisions on Applications

All decisions on applications for admission to Scoil Mhuire will be based on the following:

  • Our school’s Admission Policy
  • The school’s Annual Admission Notice (where applicable)
  • The information provided 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 Admission Notice.

If a pupil 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 pupil’s ranking against the selection criteria and details of the pupil’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 Scoil Mhuire, a parent/guardian must indicate:

  1. Whether or not they have accepted an Offer of Admission for another school or schools. If they have accepted such an offer, they must also provide details of the offer or offers concerned and
  2. Whether or not they have applied for and are awaiting confirmation of an Offer of Admission from another school or schools, and if so, they 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 Scoil Mhuire where:

  1. It is established that information contained in the application is false or misleading.
  2. An applicant fails to confirm acceptance of an Offer of Admission on or before the date set out in the Annual Admission Notice of the school.
  3. The parent/guardian of a pupil, 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/her and that he/she shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with such code by the pupil; or
  4. 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 pupils.

Section 66(6) allows a school to provide a Patron or another Board of Management with a list of the pupils in relation to whom:

  1. An Application for Admission to the school has been received
  2. An Offer of Admission to the school has been made, or
  3. An Offer of Admission to the school has been accepted.

The list may include any or all of the following:

  1. The date on which an Application for Admission was received by the school
  2. The date on which an Offer of Admission was made by the school
  3. The date on which an Offer of Admission was accepted by an applicant
  4. A pupil’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 pupils whose Applications for Admission to Scoil Mhuire 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 Scoil Mhuire is in the order of priority assigned to the pupils’ 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 pupils on the waiting list, in accordance with the order of priority in relation to which the pupils 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.

15. Procedures for Admission of Pupils to Other Years and During the School Year

The procedures of the school in relation to the admission of pupils who are not already admitted to the school to classes or years other than the school’s intake group are as follows:

  • Parents are required to submit a completed Admission Application Form for each child.

The procedures of the school in relation to the admission of pupils who are not already admitted to the school, after the commencement of the school year in which admission is sought, are as follows:

  • Parents are required to submit a completed Admission Application Form for each child.

16. Declaration in Relation to the Non-charging of Fees

The Board of Management of Scoil Mhuire or any persons acting on its behalf will not charge fees for or seek payment or contributions (howsoever described) as a condition of:

  1. An Application for Admission of a pupil to the school, or
  2. The admission or continued enrolment of a pupil in the school.

17. Arrangements Regarding Pupils Not Attending Religious Instruction

The following are the school’s arrangements for pupils, where the parent/guardian has requested that the pupil attend the school without attending religious instruction. These arrangements will not result in a reduction in the school day of such pupils:

  • A written request should be made to the Principal of the school. A meeting will then be arranged with the parent/guardian to discuss how the request may be accommodated by the school.

18. Reviews & Appeals

18.1 Review of Decisions by the Board of Management

The parent/guardian of the pupil 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 and must be received by the Board not later than 21 days after the applicant has been informed in writing as to the decision of the school in accordance with Section 9 of this policy.

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 Board of Management prior to making an appeal under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998.  This request must be received by the Board not later than 21 days after the applicant has been informed in writing as to the decision of the school in accordance with Section 9 of this policy.

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 Board of Management prior to making an appeal under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998.

18.2 Right of Appeal

Under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, the parent/guardian of the pupil may appeal a decision of this school 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 Board of Management prior to making an appeal under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998. (see Review of decisions by the Board of Management). This request must be received by the Board not later than 21 days after the applicant has been informed in writing as to the decision of the school in accordance with Section 9 of this policy.

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 Board of Management prior to making an appeal under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998. (see Review of decisions by the Board of Management). This request must be received by the Board not later than 21 days after the applicant has been informed in writing as to the decision of the school in accordance with Section 9 of this policy.

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.

19. Ratification & Communication

This Admission Policy was ratified by the Board of Management on 29 September 2020, as its proposal to the Patron for approval, following consultation with staff, parents/guardians and the Patron. It has been made available to school personnel, published on the school website and provided to the Parents Association. A copy of the Admission Policy will be made available to the Patron and the Department of Education & Skills if requested.

20. Monitoring & Evaluation

The implementation of this Admission Policy will be monitored by the Principal and Board of Management. It was reviewed and updated on 14 February 2023 and will continue to be reviewed from time to time.

 

Monsignor Denis Lennon

Chairperson of Board of Management

14 February 2023

 

Ms Karina McKiernan

Principal/Secretary to Board of Management

14 February 2023

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Admission Policy
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