|  |  | | Admissions Policy | | | The purpose of this document:
This document states the policy of St. Paul’s Community College concerning admission to the school and takes due cognizance of the Education Act 1998, the Education Welfare Act 2000 and the Equal Status Act 2000.
Mission Statement
St Paul’s Community College is a non-denominational, co-educational school. The school exists to provide a centre of learning which is challenging, equitable and broad-based. The school promotes, through its various activities, an atmosphere where there is a genuine awareness of human dignity and which allows its students to develop as people and to become confident and productive members of society. The school encourages each student to achieve to his or her ability to attain the various skills and attributes that will ultimately allow them to become successful members of society.
Operating Context
The financial and teaching resources of St. Paul’s Community College are provided by the Department of Education and Science (DES) grants and disbursed by the City of Waterford Vocational Education Committee (VEC). These grants are supplemented by other local contributions, thus the implementation of the school’s Admission Policy must have due regard to resources and funding available. St. Paul’s Community College follows the curricular programmes described by the (DES) which may be amended from time to time, in accordance with Section 9 and 30 of the Education Act 1998. The Board of Management of St. Paul’s Community College, within the context and parameters of DES regulations and programmes and having due regard to the rights of the City of Waterford VEC and the resources available supports the underlying principles of:
• Inclusiveness
• Equality of access
• Gender equity
• Parental rights in relation to enrolments
• Respect for diversity of traditions, values, beliefs, languages and ways of life in society.
School Details
The details of management, organisation, teaching resources and curriculum are outlined in the School Prospectus.
Procedures for School Entry
1.All local primary schools are visited. Students are given information about St. Paul’s Community College and a School Prospectus to bring home with them.
2.Parents and students are invited to an Open Night where teachers and students are available to talk about subjects etc. This meeting takes place before the end of the first school term.
3.Application Forms are available to parents or guardians on Open Night and the closing date for receipt of applications is clearly outlined on the form. A recent passport size photograph of the applicant must be submitted with his or her Application Form. Applications that are received after this closing date will be placed on a waiting list and will be offered a place should one become available.
4. An original Birth Certificate (which will be returned) is to be submitted with the Application Form.
5. A letter to the applicants’ parents or guardians acknowledges the receipt of Application Forms. It is the policy of St. Paul’s Community College to communicate regularly with all applicants.
6. All applicant students will sit an entrance assessment. This assessment is normally held in March of each year.
7. There are consultations with the primary schools following the entrance assessment.
8. A letter is sent to parents or guardians outlining the programme that we hope to offer to each applicant and inviting the parents or guardians to meet senior staff to finalise these options. The letter will also contain copies of the school’s polices in relation to Admissions, Behaviour etc.
9. The applicant’s latest school report is to be brought to this meeting with the senior staff.
10. Final details of subjects, classes and book lists will be posted to each applicant in June.
The Decision Making Process
Except in very exceptional circumstances applicants will be enrolled on application. Applications that do not conform to procedures for school entry outlined above will be referred to the Board of Management (BOM) acting on behalf of City of Waterford VEC in accordance with the School’s Admission Policy and will be communicated to the parents or guardians within 21 calendar days of receiving information as prescribed by the Minister under the Act. The decision to refuse an application can only be made by the BOM in consultation with City of Waterford VEC.
• DES rules in relation to the age of applicants will be applied-students must be aged at least 12 years on the First of January in the calendar year following the applicant’s entry to first year.
• Priory will then be given to those students that:
- Have (or have had) siblings enrolled in the school
- Are from traditional feeder schools to St. Paul's Community College
• Places will then be awarded on a first come, first served basis.
Special Educational Needs
In the case of applicants with special needs St. Paul’s Community College will:
• Take steps at an early stage to identify those applicants with special educational needs and to become familiar with their needs
• Request a copy of the applicant’s medical or psychological report and their Individual Educational Report (IEP), if available.
• Request an immediate assessment in order to assist the school in establishing the special need and to profile the support services required.
• Request from the DES that the appropriate additional resources e.g. classroom assistant, specialised equipment or furniture, transport etc. be provided.
It is policy of St. Paul’s Community College to meet with the applicant’s parents or guardians to discuss the particular special needs and the school’s capability to meet these needs. If the school is not in a position to meet the needs of the applicant then this will be communicated to the parents or guardians at this time. While the Board of Management will do all that it can to identify, plan for and provide for the needs of those applicants with disabilities or special educational needs it is the policy of St. Paul’s Community College to accommodate only those students whose special needs can be met within the resources provided to it by the DES.
Transfers from other second-level schools
Students may transfer to St. Paul’s Community College at any time subject to the Schools Admission Policy and to:
• The school being satisfied with the reasons for the transfer.
Information will be requested from the applicant’s former (or present) school concerning attendance, behaviour, educational progress, disabilities and special needs etc.
• The school regarding the move to be in best interest of the applicant.
• Available space.
• Consultation with the Educational Welfare Officer, if appropriate
With the best interests of the student in mind and having due cognizance of his or her educational welfare and considering the issues relating to mid-year transfers which may include subject choices, class size and available resources, the City of Waterford VEC, through the Board of Management of St. Paul's Community College may decide to refuse admission at that time and advise the parents or guardians to reapply if they so wish at the start of the following year.
City of Waterford VEC, through the Board of Management of St. Paul's Community College, reserves the right to refuse an application for admission in exceptional circumstances.
Parents or guardians have the right to appeal a refusal to enrol an applicant under Section 29 of the Education Act. It is the policy of St. Paul’s Community College to inform parents or guardians of this right when refusing an application.
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