Name of Policy:

Admission Policy

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Admission Policy of Scoil Náisiúnta Béal Átha Grean

[Ballyagran National School]

School Address:

Ballyagran, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick

Roll number: 19323F

School Patron/s: Bishop Brendan Leahy

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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.

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The policy was approved by the school patron on 20th December 2022.  It is published on the school’s website and will be made available in hardcopy on request to any person who requests it.

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The relevant dates and timelines for Ballyagran NS 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.

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2. Characteristic spirit and general objectives of the school

Ballyagran NS is a Catholic co-educational primary school with a Catholic ethos under the patronage of the Bishop of Limerick.

“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 relationship with God and with other people; and

(b) including 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 Ballyagran 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.

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3. Admission Statement 

Ballyagran NS will not discriminate in its admission of a student to the school on any of the following:

1. the gender ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
2. the civil status ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
3. the family status ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
4. the sexual orientation ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
5. the religion ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
6. the disability ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
7. the ground of race of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
8. the Traveller community ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned, or 
9. the ground that the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned has special educational needs

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As per section 61 (3) of the Education Act 1998, ‘gender ground’, ‘civil status ground’, ‘family status ground’, ‘sexual orientation ground’, ‘religion ground’, ‘disability ground’, ‘ discriminate’, ‘ground of race’ and ‘Traveller community ground’ shall be construed in accordance with section 3 of the Equal Status Act 2000.

Ballyagran NS will cooperate with the National Council for Special Education in the performance by the Council of its functions under the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 relating to the provision of education to children with special educational needs, including in particular by the provision and operation of a special class or classes when requested to do so by the Council. 

Ballyagran NS will comply with any direction served on the patron or the board, as the case may be, under section 37A and any direction served on the board under section 67(4B) of the Education Act. 

Ballyagran NS 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 student a person who is not (insert details of particular religious denomination concerned) and it is proved that the refusal is essential to maintain the ethos of the school.

Ballyagran NS is a school which has established a class, with the approval of the Minister for Education, which provides an education exclusively for students with a category or categories of special educational needs specified by the Minister and may refuse to admit to the class a student who does not have the category of needs specified. 

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4. Categories of Special Educational Needs catered for in the school/special class
   

Ballyagran NS, with the approval of the Minister for Education, has established a 2 class facility to provide an education exclusively for students with Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

5. Admission of Students

This school shall admit each student seeking admission except where –

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1. the school is oversubscribed (please see section 6 below for further details)

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2. 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

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Ballyagran NS is a Catholic School and may refuse to admit as a student a person who is not of Catholic faith where it is proved that the refusal is essential to maintain the ethos of the school.

The special class attached to Ballyagran NS provides an education exclusively for students with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and the school may refuse admission to this class, where the student concerned does not have the specified category of special educational needs provided for in this class.

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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: 

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1. Residents of Castletown/Ballyagran/Colmanswell Parish with a sibling already in the school
2. Residents of Castletown/Ballyagran/Colmanswell Parish whose parents/grandparents attended the school (this will account for no more than 25% of available places).
3. Residents of Castletown/Ballyagran/Colmanswell Parish 
4. Children of current staff 
5. If space is still available in mainstream classes only, class numbers are completed from the waiting list by the date of birth of the applicants, with the oldest applicants being admitted first to each class, beginning with infants and moving systematically up through the school. 
6. Please refer to Section 7 – ASD unit [“An Cuan”] Admissions process for information pertaining to admissions to special classes. 

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:

1. On the basis of criterion 1, places will be allocated on the basis of age starting with the oldest applicant until all places are allocated.
   

2. On the basis of criterion 2, places will be allocated on the basis of age starting with the oldest applicant until all places are allocated.
   

3. On the basis of criterion 3, places will be allocated on the basis of age starting with the oldest applicant until all places are allocated.
   

4. On the basis of criterion 4, places will be allocated on the basis of age starting with the oldest applicant until all places are allocated.
   

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7. ASD unit [“An Cuan”] Admissions process

Enrolment Criteria for ASD Unit:

The maximum class size is six pupils. If the number of eligible children on the list of applicants to enrol exceeds the number of places available, the following criteria will apply in priority order, beginning with number one, once a definite diagnosis of Autism has been provided by a qualified professional. 

1. Pupils currently enrolled in our mainstream school and seeking to transfer to the ASD Class (if deemed most suitable candidate by the Admissions team). 
2. Children living within the parish of Ballyagran, Castletown or Colmanswell
3. Brothers and sisters of existing pupils
4. Children of school staff
5. Children currently enrolled in another local mainstream school
6. If spaces are still available, places will be allocated as per waiting list, once an assessment has been made by the Admissions team. Waiting lists cease at the end of each school year.

Inclusion & Integration into Mainstream Classes

The level of inclusion/ integration that a child receives is collectively decided upon by the personnel who work with the child each day e.g. teachers, SNAs, Principal. The point at which integration into a mainstream class happens needs to be carefully considered and will happen gradually in the early stages. The views of other professionals such as psychologists, speech & language therapists and occupational therapists will be taken into account. However, the decision of the school is final.

Discharge Policy

It is school policy to facilitate the discharge of pupils once they have completed 6th Class and/or reached the age of thirteen after September 30th in any year. This means a June discharge in the following year. The onus will be on the parents to negotiate the placement with a suitable post-primary School. Ballyagran National School will facilitate all transfer of records/reports as well as assist with any information required with regard to students. Discharge from the ASD Class may also happen if a pupil is fully integrated into the mainstream school.

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If fully subscribed

If a place is not available in our ASD unit for a pupil in a given school year, parents will be notified of the Principal’s decision in this regard and will be asked to reply within two weeks to confirm if they wish their child to be placed on a ‘waiting list’ for that school year. This will not automatically happen. If a parent does not reply the pupil will not be placed on the ASD Unit waiting list. Waiting lists cease at the end of each school year and parents have to reapply to be considered for a placement in “An Cuan” for the following school year. 

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8. 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:

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1. a student’s prior attendance at a pre-school or pre-school service, including naíonraí, 

other than in relation to a student’s prior attendance at—

(I) an early intervention class, or

(II) an early start pre-school, specified in a list published by the Minister from time to time;

2. the payment of fees or contributions (howsoever described) to the school; 

3. a student’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 student has the category of special educational needs concerned 

4. the occupation, financial status, academic ability, skills or aptitude of a student’s parents;

5. a requirement that a student, or his or her parents, attend an interview, open day or other meeting as a condition of admission; 

6. 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 in relation to:

• the school selection criteria based on (1) siblings of a student attending or having attended the school and/or (2) parents or grandparents of a student 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 31^st January 2025 only). 

9. Decisions on applications 

All decisions on applications for admission to Ballyagran NS will be based on the following:

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• Our school’s admission policy
• The school’s annual admission notice
• 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

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(Please see section 15 below in relation to applications received outside of the admissions period and section 16 below in relation to applications for places in years other than the intake group.)

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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.

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10. Notifying applicants of decisions

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Applicants will be informed in writing as to the decision of the school, within the timeline outlined in the annual admissions notice. 

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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.  

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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).

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11.  Acceptance of an offer of a place by an applicant

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In accepting an offer of admission from Ballyagran NS, you must indicate—

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(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

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(ii) whether or not you have applied for and are 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.

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12. Circumstances in which offers may not be made or may be withdrawn

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An offer of admission may not be made or may be withdrawn by Ballyagran NS 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 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
4. an applicant has failed to comply with the requirements of ‘acceptance of an offer’ as set out in section 10 above.

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13. Sharing of Data with other schools

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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 board to provide a patron or another board of management with a list of the students in relation to whom—

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(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.

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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).

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14. Waiting list in the event of oversubscription

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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 [school name] 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.

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Placement on the waiting list of [school name] 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.  

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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.

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15. 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. 

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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 above.

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16. 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: 

• Numbers in each classroom are assessed to determine viability of adding further pupils
• Numbers in each classroom are viewed in context of any pupils that may be integrating from An Cuan
• Additions to classes other than intake group will be guided by figures set out in Annual Admissions Notice‍
  

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:

• Numbers in each classroom are assessed to determine viability of adding further pupils
• Numbers in each classroom are viewed in context of any pupils that may be integrating from An Cuan
• Additions to classes other than intake group will be guided by figures set out in Annual Admissions Notice

17. Declaration in relation to the non-charging of fees

The board of Ballyagran NS 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 student to the school, or
2. the admission or continued enrolment of a student in the school.

Exceptions apply only in relation to fee charging post primary schools, the boarding element in Boarding Schools and admission to post leaving cert or further education courses run by post-primary schools.

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18.  Arrangements regarding students not attending religious instruction 

This section must be completed by schools that provide religious instruction to students.

The following are the school’s arrangements for students, where the parents or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, who has 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 but will depend on staff availability if required to meet parent request:

• School will work in collaboration with parents to facilitate the request
• Pupil that requires additional support from the SET team may access this during RE time
• Relevant curricular work may be allocated during this time

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19. Reviews/appeals

Review of decisions by the board of Management

The parent of the student, or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, 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.

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.   

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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.    

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.

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Signed: Cn. Joseph Shire Date: 13th February 2023

Chairperson, BOM

Ballyagran NS

The contents of this policy have been approved by St. Senan’s Education Office, acting on behalf of the Patron.