Annaduff National School, Aghamore, Co. Leitrim.
ANNUAL ADMISSION NOTICE
in respect of admissions to the 2021/2022 school year
Admission Policy and Application Form
A copy of the school’s Admission Policy and the Application Form for Admission for the 2021/2022 is available as follows:
To download at: www.annaduffns.weebly.com
On request:
By emailing [email protected]
or writing to: Annaduff NS.,Aghamore, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, N41K309
Admissions to the 2021/2022 school year
Application and Decision Dates for admission to 2021/2022
The following are the dates applicable for admission to Junior Infants
School will commence accepting applications for admission on 1/10/2020
Annaduff N.S. shall cease accepting applications for admission on 30/4/2021
Date by which applicants will be notified of the decision on their application 21/05/2021
Period within which applicants must confirm acceptance of an offer 21/06/2021
*Failure to accept an offer within the prescribed period above may result in the offer being withdrawn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 2021/2022
Number of places being made available in Junior Infants: 30
ANNUAL ADMISSION NOTICE
in respect of admissions to the 2021/2022 school year
Admission Policy and Application Form
A copy of the school’s Admission Policy and the Application Form for Admission for the 2021/2022 is available as follows:
To download at: www.annaduffns.weebly.com
On request:
By emailing [email protected]
or writing to: Annaduff NS.,Aghamore, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, N41K309
Admissions to the 2021/2022 school year
Application and Decision Dates for admission to 2021/2022
The following are the dates applicable for admission to Junior Infants
School will commence accepting applications for admission on 1/10/2020
Annaduff N.S. shall cease accepting applications for admission on 30/4/2021
Date by which applicants will be notified of the decision on their application 21/05/2021
Period within which applicants must confirm acceptance of an offer 21/06/2021
*Failure to accept an offer within the prescribed period above may result in the offer being withdrawn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 2021/2022
Number of places being made available in Junior Infants: 30
Admission Policy (Draft)
Annaduff National School, Aghamore, Co. Leitrim.
Roll Number: 13656C
School Patron: Bishop Frances Duffy
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 of children attending the school.
The policy was approved by the school patron on [date]. 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 Annaduff National School 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 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
Annaduff National School is a Catholic co-educational primary school with a Catholic ethos under the patronage of the Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, Francis Duffy.
“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, including the intellectual, physical, cultural, moral and spiritual aspects; and
(b) a living relationship with God and with other people; 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, where the 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 Annaduff National School, 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.
In Annaduff National School we will endeavour to provide a happy safe environment that is structured and disciplined whilst being friendly and encouraging, where everyone is valued and respected.
In order to achieve our vision, we have drawn up the following aims:
Academic: Excel in the three R’s to the best of their ability.
Physical: Foster an interest in sport and other forms of recreation.
Moral: Develop good conscience, Christian values, fairness and a
sense of right and wrong.
Social: Be motivated to integrate with peers, work as a team, be tolerant, sharing and a have respect for friendship.
Emotional: Be happy within themselves, good self-esteem, contentment
Spiritual: Become aware of inner values versus material values, positive attitude to life, inner belief and resources to cope in difficult times and a sense of inner peace.
Aesthetic: Foster an appreciation of fine things in life, school environment and nature.
Cultural: Stimulate a love of theatre, drama, music and heritage. Multicultural - language.
Personal: Grow self-esteem, confidence, and encourage good hygiene, manners and listening skills.
Cognitive: Stimulate thinking skills and good judgement.
Imaginative: Encourage creativity, curiosity, drama and art
Our hope would be that when the children leave the school, we will have fostered in them the following qualities;
3. Admission Statement
Annaduff National School will not discriminate in its admission of a student to the school on any of the following;
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.
Annaduff National School is a school whose objective is to provide education in an environment which promotes certain religious values and does not discriminate in relation to the admission of a student who has applied for a place in the school in accordance with section 7A of the Equal Status Act 2000.
5. Admission of Students
This school shall admit each student seeking admission except where –
6. Oversubscription
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:
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:
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:
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 Annaduff National School will be based on the following:
(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 Annaduff National School, 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 Annaduff National School where;
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 Annaduff National School 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 Annaduff National School 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 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 Board of Management of Annaduff 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:
If the Board of Management is satisfied with the above and decides a place is available the following procedure will apply.
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. 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.
An application for enrolment may be refused in order to ensure that the teaching and learning process in the school is not significantly and persistently disrupted.
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 for immediate admission in the current school year
The Education Welfare Act, 2000 Section 19 (3) requires that requires that the Board of Management, shall as soon as possible (but no later than 21 days) after receiving application “make a decision in respect of the application concerned and inform the parent in writing thereof”
16. Declaration in relation to the non-charging of fees
This rule applies to all schools.
The board of Annaduff National School or any persons acting on its behalf will not charge fees for or seek payment or contributions (howsoever described) as a condition of;
17. Arrangements regarding students not attending religious instruction
Roman Catholic schools provide Religious Education for the pupils in accordance with the doctrines, practices and traditions of the Roman Catholic faith. As such, Annaduff National School observes Catholic practices i.e. First Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation. Prayers are also recited daily. We enroll pupils of other faith or no faith in the school and respect their beliefs and practices. Parents are welcome to view the Catholic religion programme taught. The school cannot undertake to educate children of other faiths in their own faith, nor can it provide supervision during the religious education period apart from the class.
The following are the school’s arrangements for students, whose parents have requested that the student attend the school without attending religious instruction 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) or the student, as the case may be, to discuss how the request may be accommodated by the school.
As a Catholic school, religious education is provided for pupils in accordance with the doctrines, practices and traditions of the Catholic Church. Catholic children will be provided with religious experiences that will help them to develop their faith, such as prayer and sacramental preparation. In addition to these practices, children may also learn about other beliefs, teachings and practices of the great religious traditions of the world, as they arise through the primary school curriculum, i.e. feasts and festivals of the world, Chinese New Year etc. with a particular focus on Christianity. This type of learning is open to, and inclusive of, all children, regardless of their faith background. Children from all faith traditions and none are therefore welcome to participate in the religious education programme that the school provides.
Pupils who wish to opt out of the religion programme may wish to participate in choirs, art, drama, celebrations and other aspects of the school support for the sacramental programme.
A student who has been allowed to opt out of an of the above will not be given activities less favourable than the other children.
All students will be invited to participate and celebrate in sacramental events and ceremonies.
The school will celebrate an intercultural week each year which highlights the faiths, cultures and nationalities present in the school.
In the senior classes children of different faiths will be given an opportunity to explain their beliefs to their classmates.
Other practical situations may arise from time to time that require the school to consider making accommodations for children who do not share the Catholic faith. In most circumstances the school should be in a position to bring these to the attention of parents in order to plan well in advance for such eventualities. At an enrolment meeting and also at the commencement of each academic year, parents can request to view the Catholic programme for the forthcoming year to assist with queries/ advance planning. Any events deemed to be of a religious nature will be included in the programme.
Children of other faiths will be invited but are not obliged to attend all Catholic religious celebrations in the school. Individual children, with parental consent, can be invited to read special prayers/texts promoting core values such as respect and tolerance, which are common to many faith groups. Parents may decide to excuse their child from school for the duration of any of these celebrations. Appropriate procedures are in place to facilitate any such request e.g. written notification to the principal teacher. From time to time it might happen that we do not have prior notice of certain religious occasions or visits, in these situations we will endeavour to contact the parents.
18. Reviews/appeals
Review of decisions by the board of Management
The parent 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 board of management 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 board of management 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 parent of the student, or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, 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)
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)
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.
Annaduff National School, Aghamore, Co. Leitrim.
Roll Number: 13656C
School Patron: Bishop Frances Duffy
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 of children attending the school.
The policy was approved by the school patron on [date]. 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 Annaduff National School 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 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
Annaduff National School is a Catholic co-educational primary school with a Catholic ethos under the patronage of the Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, Francis Duffy.
“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, including the intellectual, physical, cultural, moral and spiritual aspects; and
(b) a living relationship with God and with other people; 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, where the 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 Annaduff National School, 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.
In Annaduff National School we will endeavour to provide a happy safe environment that is structured and disciplined whilst being friendly and encouraging, where everyone is valued and respected.
In order to achieve our vision, we have drawn up the following aims:
Academic: Excel in the three R’s to the best of their ability.
Physical: Foster an interest in sport and other forms of recreation.
Moral: Develop good conscience, Christian values, fairness and a
sense of right and wrong.
Social: Be motivated to integrate with peers, work as a team, be tolerant, sharing and a have respect for friendship.
Emotional: Be happy within themselves, good self-esteem, contentment
Spiritual: Become aware of inner values versus material values, positive attitude to life, inner belief and resources to cope in difficult times and a sense of inner peace.
Aesthetic: Foster an appreciation of fine things in life, school environment and nature.
Cultural: Stimulate a love of theatre, drama, music and heritage. Multicultural - language.
Personal: Grow self-esteem, confidence, and encourage good hygiene, manners and listening skills.
Cognitive: Stimulate thinking skills and good judgement.
Imaginative: Encourage creativity, curiosity, drama and art
Our hope would be that when the children leave the school, we will have fostered in them the following qualities;
- Academic achievement – to the best of their ability.
- Good self-esteem, confidence and independence.
- Responsibility, trustworthiness and reliability.
- Compassion and spirituality.
- Courtesy, manners and respect
- Willingness to embrace change.
- Enthusiasm, optimism and positive thinking
- A sense of humour.
- An interest in sport and other recreational pursuits.
- Cothaigh grá don Ghaeilge ár dteanga dhúchais
3. Admission Statement
Annaduff National School will not discriminate in its admission of a student to the school on any of the following;
- the gender ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
- the civil status ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
- the family status ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
- the sexual orientation ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
- the religion ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
- the disability ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
- the ground of race of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
- the Traveller community ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned, or
- 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.
Annaduff National School is a school whose objective is to provide education in an environment which promotes certain religious values and does not discriminate in relation to the admission of a student who has applied for a place in the school in accordance with section 7A of the Equal Status Act 2000.
- Categories of Special Educational Needs catered for in the school’s special class
5. Admission of Students
This school shall admit each student seeking admission except where –
- the school is oversubscribed (please see section 6 below for further details)
- 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
- Annaduff National School is a Catholic school and may refuse to admit as a student a person who is not of Catholic denomination where it is proved that the refusal is essential to maintain the ethos of the school.
6. Oversubscription
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:
- Siblings of a student attending or having attended the school and/or children whose parents or grandparents attended the school
- Children who live in close proximity (c.1km) to the school
- All other children resident in the parish
- All other children who apply to the school where there are vacancies in the school after the groups from (1) to (3) have been allocated places
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 will be given to the eldest child
- In relation to parents and grandparents having attended, a school may only apply this criterion to a maximum of 25% of the available spaces as set out in the annual admissions notice.
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 student’s prior attendance at a pre-school or pre-school service, including naíonraí
- the payment of fees or contributions (howsoever described) to the school;
- a student’s academic ability, skills or aptitude;
- the occupation, financial status, academic ability, skills or aptitude of a student’s parents;
- a requirement that a student, or his or her parents, attend an interview, open day or other meeting as a condition of admission;
- a student’s connection to the school by virtue of a member of his or her family attending or having previously attended the school;
- the date and time on which an application for admission was received by the school,
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 Annaduff National School 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 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 Annaduff National School, 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 Annaduff National School where;
- it is established that information contained in the application is false or misleading.
- 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.
- 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
- 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 Annaduff National School 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 Annaduff National School 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 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 Board of Management of Annaduff 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:
- Health & Safety Concerns regarding Staff and Children
- Available classroom space
- Multi-grade classes
- Educational needs of the children
- Presence of children with special needs
- Department of Education & Science class size directives
- Appropriate Supports and Resources are available
- Time of school year – new pupils will only be accommodated during the school year under exceptional circumstances e.g. moving house.
If the Board of Management is satisfied with the above and decides a place is available the following procedure will apply.
- Application forms are available from the school secretary
- Signed acceptance of the school’s Code of Behaviour is essential - that parents shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with the Code by the child and the parents themselves.
- 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. 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.
An application for enrolment may be refused in order to ensure that the teaching and learning process in the school is not significantly and persistently disrupted.
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 for immediate admission in the current school year
- Application forms are available from the school secretary
- The Education Welfare Act, 2000 Section 19 (2) requires that parents must provide relevant information to the school. Failure to fully complete forms accurately and truthfully will result in refusal to admit an applicant.
- Signed written acceptance of Code of Behaviour from the parents - they shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with the Code by the child and the parents.
- The behaviour record of a student in his/her previous school shall be considered
- The attendance record of a student in his/her previous school shall be considered
The Education Welfare Act, 2000 Section 19 (3) requires that requires that the Board of Management, shall as soon as possible (but no later than 21 days) after receiving application “make a decision in respect of the application concerned and inform the parent in writing thereof”
16. Declaration in relation to the non-charging of fees
This rule applies to all schools.
The board of Annaduff National School or any persons acting on its behalf will not charge fees for or seek payment or contributions (howsoever described) as a condition of;
- an application for admission of a student to the school, or
- the admission or continued enrolment of a student in the school.
17. Arrangements regarding students not attending religious instruction
Roman Catholic schools provide Religious Education for the pupils in accordance with the doctrines, practices and traditions of the Roman Catholic faith. As such, Annaduff National School observes Catholic practices i.e. First Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation. Prayers are also recited daily. We enroll pupils of other faith or no faith in the school and respect their beliefs and practices. Parents are welcome to view the Catholic religion programme taught. The school cannot undertake to educate children of other faiths in their own faith, nor can it provide supervision during the religious education period apart from the class.
The following are the school’s arrangements for students, whose parents have requested that the student attend the school without attending religious instruction 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) or the student, as the case may be, to discuss how the request may be accommodated by the school.
As a Catholic school, religious education is provided for pupils in accordance with the doctrines, practices and traditions of the Catholic Church. Catholic children will be provided with religious experiences that will help them to develop their faith, such as prayer and sacramental preparation. In addition to these practices, children may also learn about other beliefs, teachings and practices of the great religious traditions of the world, as they arise through the primary school curriculum, i.e. feasts and festivals of the world, Chinese New Year etc. with a particular focus on Christianity. This type of learning is open to, and inclusive of, all children, regardless of their faith background. Children from all faith traditions and none are therefore welcome to participate in the religious education programme that the school provides.
Pupils who wish to opt out of the religion programme may wish to participate in choirs, art, drama, celebrations and other aspects of the school support for the sacramental programme.
A student who has been allowed to opt out of an of the above will not be given activities less favourable than the other children.
All students will be invited to participate and celebrate in sacramental events and ceremonies.
The school will celebrate an intercultural week each year which highlights the faiths, cultures and nationalities present in the school.
In the senior classes children of different faiths will be given an opportunity to explain their beliefs to their classmates.
Other practical situations may arise from time to time that require the school to consider making accommodations for children who do not share the Catholic faith. In most circumstances the school should be in a position to bring these to the attention of parents in order to plan well in advance for such eventualities. At an enrolment meeting and also at the commencement of each academic year, parents can request to view the Catholic programme for the forthcoming year to assist with queries/ advance planning. Any events deemed to be of a religious nature will be included in the programme.
Children of other faiths will be invited but are not obliged to attend all Catholic religious celebrations in the school. Individual children, with parental consent, can be invited to read special prayers/texts promoting core values such as respect and tolerance, which are common to many faith groups. Parents may decide to excuse their child from school for the duration of any of these celebrations. Appropriate procedures are in place to facilitate any such request e.g. written notification to the principal teacher. From time to time it might happen that we do not have prior notice of certain religious occasions or visits, in these situations we will endeavour to contact the parents.
18. Reviews/appeals
Review of decisions by the board of Management
The parent 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 board of management 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 board of management 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 parent of the student, or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, 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)
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)
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.