St Joseph's College,Summerhill

SCHOOL ADMISSIONS POLICY

(Approved: 16/09/ 2008)

Introduction

The Board of Management of St. Joseph's College is setting out, in this statement, the policy of the school in regard to enrolment of girls to this school, in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998.

The Board trusts that this statement of Policy will be of assistance to Parents/Guardians in relation to enrolment matters.

The Board also wishes to state that the Chairperson of the Board and the Principal of the school will be willing to clarify any matters arising from this policy statement.

St Joseph's College, Summerhill is an all girls school under the Trusteeship of Bishop Christopher Jones, Diocese of Elphin.

The school supports the following underlying principles in relation to enrolment:

· Equality of access for girls and participation in the school
· Inclusiveness, especially with reference to the enrolment of girls with special educational needs
· Respect for diversity of traditions, values, beliefs, language and way of life.

Admissions Procedures
St Joseph's College, Summerhill, Athlone is an all girls school. The school welcomes all female students and aims to provide an integrated and inclusive education.

A) Application for admission:
The board will inform the school community of the procedure for application, through the appropriate channels, e.g. the feeder schools, parish newsletter, church announcements and local news papers.
Application for enrolment in the school is made by completing the school's application form and returning it to the school office.
Application forms are available from the school office and at the annual open day.
The application form must be accompanied by confirmation in writing by Parent or Guardian that the applicant accepts the schools rules.
Applications for enrolment for the next year are made during the preceding school year and in particular during open days.
Provisions will be made for late applications.
All applications are responded to as soon as possible.

B) Enrolment:
Except in exceptional circumstances, students will be enrolled on application.
Successful applicants may be asked to attend at the school on a given day, for the purpose of assessment, induction and in order to identify, and plan for, the educational needs of the pupils.


C) Special Needs Applicants:
The school welcomes applications for admission of girls with special educational needs. The school will use the personnel and financial resources provided by the DES, to make reasonable provision and accommodation for students with disabilities or special needs, up to a nominal cost. The school aims to identify, at an early stage, any applicant for admission who has special needs, and to become familiar with the specific needs of the child.
In making provision for children with special needs, the school needs to know if the child has had access to:

1. A special needs assistant
2. A special class
3. Help, for specific needs, from any resource teacher
4. Assistance with behaviour modification
5. Psychological assessment
6. Any additional resources to help with special needs
7. Help in areas including visual impairment, hearing impairment, learning disability or emotional disturbance
8. Any resource in relation to travel or mobility

If an expert report is provided, it should include workable strategies for addressing the needs of the child, allowing for the resources available.
If no expert report is available, the school will request immediate assessment, in order to determine the educational needs of the child.

Having gathered all the relevant information available, the Board of Management will assess how the needs of the child can be met.
The DES will be requested in writing to provide additional resources, if such is needed.
It may be necessary for the Board to defer enrolment, pending the receipt of assessment reports and/or the provision of appropriate resources by the DES.
The school will meet the Parents to discuss the needs of the child and the capability of the school to meet these needs.
In exceptional cases, final acceptance of an applicant will depend on the additional resources being provided by the DES.
Parents or Guardians of children with special needs are strongly advised to make early application to the school, to allow time to follow the procedures outlined above.
As soon as possible, but no later than 21 days after a Parent or Guardian has provided the relevant information, the Board of Management shall decide on the application concerned, and inform the Parents or Guardian in writing of their decision. (Educational Welfare Act 2000, Section 19,3)

D) Transfer of pupils/girls from other schools:
Pupils/girls from other schools may transfer into the school subject to the following conditions:

· The transfer is in accordance with the school's admission policy
· The school is satisfied with the reasons for the transfer following interview with applicant/parent/guardian
· The transfer is in the best interest of the pupil
· Full disclosure of all relevant information from the former school is made available and a letter from Management to support applicant.
· Copy of exam results, records of attendance and behaviour.
· Space is available in the school and subjects to facilitate the transfer
· The Educational Welfare Officer is consulted, if necessary.
· Admission of student is subject to the approval of the Board of Management.

E) Documentation:
When applying for admission of their child to the school, Parents /Guardians will receive the following documentation:
1) The Admissions Policy Statement of the school.
2) A copy of the code of behaviour of the school.
3) Application form.
Parents /Guardians should note that the school has adopted policy statements in other areas of interest and concern, towards the best running of the school and the maximum development of pupils.
Please contact us if you have any Queries regarding Enrolment