All Saints’ National School

After several meetings, the enrolment policy has been formulated by the Board of Management and the staff of All Saints’ National School.

 

Mission Policy
To provide for the pupils of this Christian Community, high-quality education in a peaceful, caring environment where pupils learn and teachers co-operate to teach and to maintain good relationships with the Department of Education, Parents, priests, Board of Management and the Patron of the school.

 

Other policies relevant to this enrolment policy

• Behavioural Policy
• Special Needs Policy
• Child Protection Policy
• Health and Safety Policy
• Homework Policy

 

Rationale

It is necessary to devise this policy to provide information to parents about who is eligible to enrol in All Saints’ National School. Enrolment will be accepted when parents have signed all the relevant documents saying they have accepted all school policies

Aims
Aim of the enrolment policy is that the Board of Management, staff and parents of the school are aware and understand the criteria under which children can be enrolled into the school.

General Information
All Saints’ N.S. Doohamlet is a Catholic school under the patronage of the Bishop of Clogher, Most Rev. Lawrence Duffy.

The National Primary school curriculum as approved by the Department of Education and Skills is completed in All Saints’ National School.

All Saints’ National School is a co-educational school and covers the full range of classes from Junior Infants to Sixth class. There are five mainstream class teachers including the principal. We also have one full time Resource teacher and one full time Learning Support teacher.

Pupils may be granted resource hours within regulations laid down by the department.

The school operates on funding provided by the Department of Education and Skills, fundraising by the school and the Parents Association.

The local GAA club together with Monaghan Coaching and Games committee provide classes on GAA skills for children from First class to Sixth class.

The building is modern and was built in 1993, opened officially in February 1994 by the Minister of Education and blessed by Bishop J. Duffy of Clogher. An extension was built to the school in 2009 and officially visited by the President Mary Mc Aleese and her husband Martin in February 2011. Following the completion of the new extension the school now has a computer suite, fully furnished library, two resource rooms, two new impressive classrooms, a gymnasium with equipment which accommodates P.E. teaching of games, gymnastics, athletics, dance and orienteering and also accommodates drama and musicals.
We also have a Breakfast club, Pre-school and After school which provides all day childcare from 8am to 6pm. Hot meals are regularly served within these facilities. Doohamlet Childcare is managed by a voluntary committee.

The Board of Management manages the school for the Patron. The Board of Management is informed of all enrolments but in situations where children may have special requirements these enrolments will be discussed by the Board of Management.

Application Procedure

General Points

The following procedure applies.
Application forms are available in the School Office upon request. The form should be fully completed and returned to the office or given to the principal on the advertised enrolment day.

Enrolment of children in the school is by the way of written application only. The middle of the second term will normally be the time when the Board of Management will invite application for enrolment.

In accordance with Department of Education and Skills Rules for National Schools children may only be enrolled if they have reached the age of four. Pupils must be four years old before September 30th of the year in which they wish to be enrolled.

The Board of Management will communicate generally to the school community through the school website, parish bulletin and local newspaper, in relation to enrolment night and information evening.
A specific enrolment application form will be provided by the Board for the provision of key information by parents/guardians. This form will include details of any health problems or other concerns relating to the pupil. It will be given to parents during the information evening.

Enrolment of a pupil will require that the Catholic Ethos and Code of Behaviour of the school is and will be acceptable to and supported by the parents/guardians.

A birth certificate must be submitted with the enrolment application form and will be returned.

The Board of Management will make decisions on all enrolments within 21 days. Where further information is required the application will be considered incomplete until all information and documentation is provided i.e.

1. 1. • Previous School reports or tests where applicable
      • Psychological reports
      • Previous assessments or any other relevant information.
      • Where applicable, request in respect of guardianship, custody and access arrangements on behalf of parents should be supported by a written letter from a solicitor.

Decision Making Process
Decisions relating to applications for enrolment are made by the Board of Management in accordance with school policy.

Where problems about enrolment arise the Board of Management will notify parents within 21 days of receiving all the necessary information about the child (as per the Educational Welfare Act 2000)

Enrolment Criteria 

 Pupils will be enrolled under the following criteria.

1. 1. • Sisters and/or brothers of pupils currently in the school.
      • Children living within the school catchment area.
      • Children of current staff, including ancillary staff.
      • Children living outside the school catchment area.

Enrolment of children with Special Needs
In relation to the application for the enrolment of a child with special needs, the Board of Management may request a copy of the child’s medical and/ or psychological report. Where such a report is not available the board may request that the child be assessed immediately.
The purpose of such a report is to establish the educational needs of the child relevant to his/her disability and to profile the essential services required to cater to such needs. This will help the Board of Management to make a prompt and informed decision.

Refusal to enrol on grounds of ‘Exceptional Circumstances’
The Board of Management can refuse to enrol in compliance with its agreed policy. The Board of Management reserves in its enrolment policy the right to refuse enrolment in exceptional circumstances e.g.

1. 1. • The pupil has special needs such that, even with additional resources available from DES, the school cannot meet such needs and /or provide the pupil with an appropriate education

Or

1. 1. • In the opinion of the Board of Management. The pupil’s behaviour may constitute a threat to the Health and Safety or education of other pupils, school staff and/or school property.

The Board of Management should only seek to rely on this clause in rare and exceptional circumstances. The school is aware of the right of a parent/guardian to appeal the decision of the Board of Management.

Right of Appeal

In line with Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, parents who are dissatisfied with an enrolment decision made by the Board of Management may appeal to the Board of Management. This appeal must be addressed, in writing to the Chairperson of the Board of Management, stating the grounds for the appeal, and should be lodged within ten days of receiving the refusal. Parents, if unhappy with the result of the appeal, may appeal to the Department of Education and Skills under Section 29 of the Education Act on the official form provided by the DES. This appeal must be lodged within 42 days of receipt of the refusal from the school to enrol.
Details on appealing decisions on enrolments under section 29 of the Education Act are available on the DES website at www.education.ie

Pupil Transfer

Applications for enrolment during the school year will only be granted subject to school policy, the availability of class space, the willingness of the Board of Management to enrol a student.

Students may transfer to All Saints’ National School subject to:

1. 1. • Acceptance of Admissions Policy and Code of Behaviour.
      • Availability of space.
      • There are sound educational reasons for the transfer
      • The Board of Management regards the move as being in the best educational interests of the student and would not be harmful to an existing student or students.
      • Contact and a written report from previous school.

Code of Behaviour

What is Good Behaviour?

Good behaviour and discipline mean order and good order is necessary if any school is to run smoothly.

Who is responsible for Good Behaviour?

The Board of Management has the ultimate responsibility for good behaviour in the school.

The individual teacher is responsible for the effective implementation of the school’s discipline policy in his / her own classroom and in communal areas or on the yard during breaks.

Teachers aim to create a positive approach to behaviour in school.

Both parents and teachers co-operate to provide the very best learning environment for pupils.

We all endeavour to operate a fair discipline system in a happy caring environment so that children feel secure and teachers are respected and in control.

If a behavioural problem arises in class, it should be dealt with initially by the class teacher.  If it arises on the yard, by the teacher on yard duty and the class teacher in support.

Good behaviour will be encouraged and rewarded. Bad behaviour will incur sanctions and disapproval.

Rewards:

Rewards include:

Reward charts, student of the week and golden time

Children are praised and given merit stickers for effort at work and good manners.

Parents are informed, when behaviour is good, on children’s reports and at Parent/Teacher meetings.

A word of praise or a clap in front of their peers often reinforces good behaviour
Children who behave well often receive positions of responsibility or privileges.

Children feel valued when they are involved in decisions such as developing classroom rules.

Long-term rewards are offered at graduation for children who show the example to others of good behaviour throughout their time at school.

Sanctions:

The nature of the unacceptable behaviour will determine the sanctions used.

Reason with the pupil.

Reprimand including advice on how to improve.

Unless warnings are going to be followed through, they should not be used.

Move the child from his / her usual place…isolating in the room if necessary.

Prescribe extra work.

Detention with work during playtime provided they get 5—10 minutes break.

Denial of privileges / responsibilities.

Principal / Deputy Principal is informed and if necessary involved.

A report book is kept in the school.  Any teacher may put a child “on report” if their behaviour warrants such. The details will be noted and fair procedures will be used in implementing the Code of Behaviour –
Name of offender.
His / her offence.
Details of who was involved.
Witnessed by and accounts if necessary.
Date.
Signature of teacher.

Being put “on report” is considered a serious matter
Parents are informed of serious offences and asked to take action.

Where there are repeated instances of serious misbehaviour, the Chairperson of the Board of Management will be informed and the parents will be requested in writing to attend the school to meet the Chairperson and Principal.

If the parents do not give an undertaking that the pupil will behave in an acceptable manner in the future, the pupil may have to be suspended for a temporary period.

Procedure for Suspension

The Code of Behaviour includes a range of sanctions which may be imposed for breaches of the Code. While every effort will be made to avoid exclusion from school in certain circumstances it may be necessary to impose a suspension. These circumstances would include:

1. 1. • A series of breaches for which other sanctions were imposed and proved ineffective.
      • Failure to comply with reasonable requests on an ongoing basis.
      • A serious breach of the Code of Behaviour.
      • Preventing effective teaching and learning from taking place.
      • Where the student’s behaviour may constitute a threat to the health and safety  of  other students or staff

Where a suspension is considered appropriate the following procedure will be followed:

1. 1. • A written report on the incident(s) will be written into the report book.
      • The student will be interviewed
      • Other Students may be interviewed where appropriate.
      • Parents/ Guardians will be contacted and invited to discuss the matter prior to a decision being made. Where attempts to contact parent/ guardians are unsuccessful or where parents/guardians decline to attend a meeting a student may be requested to remain at home until the meeting takes place. This request will be notified to the student in writing and to the parent/guardians by registered letter.

Where a suspension is to be activated the principal shall notify the parents/guardians of the decision in writing and shall confirm:

1. 1. • The period of suspension, the dates when it will begin and end
      • The reasons for the suspension
      • A study programme to be followed at home
      • The arrangements for returning to school
      • Whether the decision to suspend may be appealed to the Board of Management
      • The right to appeal under section 29 of the Education Act 1998 if the total number of days for which the student has been suspended reaches 20 days in any single school.

Expulsion

The Board of Management has the authority to expel a student in an extreme case or where repeated incidents of gross misbehaviour interfere with the educational opportunities of fellow students or where there is a threat to the health and safety of either student or where the student is responsible for serious damage to property. This sanction would be imposed under the terms of the Education Welfare Act (2000). The grounds for expulsion may be similar to the grounds for suspension. In addition to factors such as the degree of seriousness and persistence of the behaviour, a key difference is that, where expulsion is considered, school authorities have tried a series of other interventions, and believe they have exhausted all possibilities for changing the student’s behaviour. Where a preliminary assessment of the facts confirms misbehaviour that could warrant expulsion, the procedural steps will include:

1. 1. • A detailed investigation carried us under the direction of the Principal
      • A recommendation to the Board of Management by the Principal.
      • Consideration by the Board of Managements of the Principal’s recommendation.
      • The holding of a hearing with the Principal, Parents/guardians and Board of Management.
      • Board of Management deliberations and actions following the hearing.
      • Consultations arranged by the Educational Welfare Officer.
      • Confirmation if the decision is to expel.
      • Parent’s right to appeal the decision under Section 29, Education Act 1998.

Involving Parents/Guardians in Managing Problem Behaviour

1. 1. • Parents/Guardians are valued as partners in the school community and as such will be invited to participate in promoting positive behaviour both in school and in wider community.
      • Class teachers will refer to repeated episodes of minor misbehaviour in the pupil’s Homework Journal which parents/guardians are requested to sign each evening.
      • In cases where pupils are required to complete some extra work as a sanction, parents/guardians will again be requested to sign the relevant work. Class teachers may occasionally request parents/guardians to visit them in school to discuss some aspect of a pupil’s behaviour.
      • Parents/guardians are requested to make appointments to meet with class teachers and/or the Principal at the earliest opportunity in an effort to prevent any escalation of inappropriate behaviour. The school will remind parents/guardians of the procedures for contacting the school at every opportunity.
      • Where pupils are found to be involved in more serious misbehaviour the Principal may telephone or write to Parents/ guardians to request them to attend a formal meeting at the school. Class teachers, or teachers who witness misbehaviour while supervising on yard duty, may also attend these meetings. The pupil may also attend all or part of these meetings if deemed appropriate.

Appeals
Under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998, parents are entitled to appeal to the Secretary General of the Department of Education and Science against some decisions of the Board of Management, eg.

1. 1. • Permanent exclusion from a school and
      • Suspension for a period which would bring the cumulative period of suspension to 20 school days or longer in any one school year. Appeals must generally be made within 42 calendar days from the date the decision of the school was notified to the parent.

Review
The policy will be reviewed and monitored on a regular basis by the school staff and Board of Management.

Approval of Patron
This policy will be implemented immediately in All Saints’ National School. It was approved by the Board of Management on 13th October 2011. It will be reviewed on a regular basis.

Ratification
This policy was presented to the Board of Management and ratified on 13th October 2011.

All new applicants will receive a copy of this policy on information evening.