Enrolment Policy
Section A. General Information
General Introduction
This enrolment policy is set out in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act (1998). The Board of Management trusts that by so doing parents will be assisted in relation to enrolment matters. The Chairperson of the Board of Management, Mr. Thomas Cosby, Stradbally Hall, Stradbally, and the School Principal, Daphne Harding, will be happy to clarify any further matters arising from the policy.
School Name: Cosby National School
School Address: Stradbally, Co. Laois
Telephone No.: 057 8625555
Denominational Character: Church of Ireland
Name of Patron: The Right Reverend Michael Burrows, Bishop of Ossory.
Total Number of Teachers in the School:
Two mainstream teachers including the Principal, one shared Learning Support Teacher and one shared Resource Teacher.
Range of Classes Taught:
Co-educational, catering for all classes from Junior Infants to Sixth class.
Cosby National School aims to promote the full and harmonious development of all pupils: cognitive, intellectual, physical, cultural, moral and spiritual, including a living relationship with God and other people and promotes a Christian philosophy of life.
Cosby National School depends on the grants and teacher resources provided by the Department of Education and Science and it operates within the regulations laid down, from time to time, by the Department. School policy has regard to the resources and funding available. We follow the curricular programmes prescribed by the Department of Education and Science, which may be amended from time to time, in accordance with Sections 9 and 30 of the Education Act (1998).
Within the context and parameters of Department regulations and programmes, the rights of the patron as set out in the Education Act (1998), and the funding and resources available, the school supports the principles of:
- inclusiveness, particularly with reference to the enrolment of children with a disability or other special educational need;
- equality of access and participation in the school;
- parental choice in relation to enrolment; and
- respect for diversity of values, beliefs, traditions, languages and ways of life in society.
Section B. Enrolment Procedures
Application Procedure
The Board of Management will communicate generally to the school community through the Spring Parish Newsletter, the school website, the local press and any other appropriate media.
- The Board of Management has determined that the school principal will accept written applications for enrolment from 1st February of the school year prior to enrolment. The Enrolment Application Form is to be used. (Appendix 1) This will be available from the school or downloadable from the school website.
- Enquiries received prior to this date will be recorded on the Preliminary Enquiry Form. (Appendix 2) Parents should then forward a completed Enrolment Application Form from 1st February of the school year prior to enrolment.
- Completion of either form, or the placement of your child’s name on a list, does not confer an automatic right to a place in the school.
Decision Making
Decisions in relation to applications for enrolment are made by the Board of Management in accordance with school policy. The Board will notify parents of their decision within 21 days of receiving the completed Enrolment Application Form.
As a general principle and in so far as practicable having regard to the school’s enrolment policy, children will be enrolled on application, provided that there is space available.
The Board will have regard for relevant Department of Education and Science guidelines in relation to class size and staffing provisions and/or any other relevant requirements concerning accommodation, including physical space and the health and welfare of pupils, teachers and others who work in the school.
In the event that applications exceed/ are expected to exceed the number of spaces available in a given class/classroom the Board of Management has determined that the following criteria will be used to prioritise children for enrolment:
- Children of the Church of Ireland and other Churches in communion with the Church of Ireland
- Siblings of present pupils
- Children of an inter-church family, where one parent is Protestant
- Children from other Christian traditions
- Children of other faiths
Admission Day/Date
The Board is bound by the Department of Education and Science’s Rules for National Schools which provides that pupils may only be enrolled from the age of 4 years and upwards, (ie. Junior Infants must have reached their 4th birthday by 1st September, or the first day of the new school year, whichever is earlier), though compulsory attendance does not apply until the age of 6 years.
Children of families moving into the parish/locality during the year are eligible for consideration with regard to admission.
Pupils wishing to transfer from other schools are enrolled subject to the Rules for National Schools, Education Welfare Act and the school’s enrolment policy. It is a requirement of the Board of Management that information concerning attendance and the child’s educational progress be communicated between schools. (Section 28, Education Welfare Act 2000)
Enrolment of Children with Special Needs
In relation to applications for the enrolment of children with special needs the Board of Management will request a copy of the child’s medical and/or psychological report or where such a report is not available, will request that the child be assessed immediately. The purpose of the assessment report is to assist the school in establishing the educational and training needs of the child relevant to his/her disability or special needs and to profile the support services required.
Following receipt of the report, the Board will assess how the school can meet the needs specified in the report. Where the Board deems that further resources are required, it will, prior to enrolment, request the Special Education Needs Organiser to provide the resources required to meet the needs of the child as outlined in the psychological and/or medical report. These resources may include for example, access to or the provision of any or a combination of the following: visiting teacher service, resource teacher for special needs, special needs assistant, specialised equipment or furniture, transport services or other.
The school principal will meet with the parents of the child and with the SENO to discuss the child’s needs and the school’s suitability or capability in meeting those needs. Where necessary, a full case conference involving all parties will be held, which may include parents, principal, class teacher, learning support teacher, resource teacher for special needs, Special Educational Needs Organiser or psychologist, as appropriate.
Code of Behaviour
Children enrolled in Cosby National School are required to co-operate with and support the school’s Code of Behaviour and other policies on curriculum, organisation and management. Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that their children co-operate with these policies in an age-appropriate way. A copy of the school Code of Behaviour will be included in the Starter Pack issued to all parents prior to enrolment, at the Junior Infants Introductory Morning in June.
Appeals Procedure
Parents who are dissatisfied with an enrolment decision may appeal to the Board of Management. It must be addressed, in writing, to the Chairperson of the Board, stating the grounds for the appeal and lodged within ten days of receiving the refusal. Parents, if unhappy with the outcome of this local appeal, may appeal to the Department of Education and Science under Section 29 of the Education Act on the official form provided by the Department. This appeal must be lodged within 42 days of receipt of the refusal to enrol from the school.
Roles and Responsibilities
This policy will be reviewed regularly by the Board of Management and amended if/as necessary.
Ratification and Communication
This policy was ratified by the Board of Management of Cosby N.S. at its meeting on
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