Walshestown National School

ENROLMENT POLICY

A copy of the school’s Mission Statement is enclosed with this Enrolment Policy.

Parents/Guardians who wish to apply for enrolment to this school should study the Statement carefully to ensure that the values, beliefs, attitudes and practices outlined are those to which they are willing to subscribe.

Acceptance of an offer of enrolment by parents/ guardians will indicate an agreement to subscribe to the ethos of the school as outlined by the Mission Statement.


ENROLMENT / ADMISSION POLICY

The school enrols children who are living within the catchment area as outlined on the attached map. The townlands are those listed in appendix 1.

No child will be allowed to attend or to be enrolled in the school before the fourth anniversary of their birth although compulsory attendance does not apply until the age of six.

The Board of Management should receive applicants for enrolment by February 28 before the September of enrolment.

Enrolment of Junior Infants will be on first Monday of September of each school year only.

Where children of relevant age have come to live in the catchment area and wish to enrol in the school, a certificate of attendance must be obtained from the principal teacher of their last school.

Children with disabilities, who may not meet the enrolment criteria, will be given due consideration for admission and the onus will be placed on the Department of Education to give the appropriate help.

No pupils except in exceptional circumstances will be enrolled other than at the start of a school term or as determined by the Chairman of the board.

Children whose siblings have attended the school, who have a parent who is a past pupil, or who can show a connection to the school, may apply for enrolment.

In the event of a family seeking planning permission for a residence in the school’s defined catchment area, proof of permission having been granted will predetermine adjudication of their enrolment application.

Any parent employed in a teaching position in the school may request enrolment for their children.
From time to time to maintain the current pupil-teacher ratio, a limited number of children may be admitted from outside the catchment area and criteria listed below. The number of such children to be admitted from each school year will be decided by a Board of Management meeting held early in the previous school year. Decisions on such applications will be entirely at the discretion of the Board of Management and will be based on the following criteria:
Children from adjacent townlands to the school’s official catchment area will be given priority.
The earlier an official application is received the greater priority will be given. (see attached from)
Exceptional circumstances which may justify the acceptance of an application will be given due consideration.

An application for enrolment must include:
Pupil’s name, age and address
Names and addresses of pupil’s parent(s) / guardian(s)
The PPS number of the child
A copy of the child’s birth certificate
Contact numbers
Contact numbers in case of emergency
Details of any medical conditions, of which the school should be aware
Religious denomination
Previous schools attended, if any, and reasons for transfer

The Board of Management of the school in accordance with school policy makes all decisions in relation to applications for enrolment.
This policy has been adapted on this day by the Board of Management.

The Board of Management reserves the right to review this policy at any time.
This enrolment policy was reviewed and agreed by the School Board of Management on the 5 February 2008.

APPENDIX 1

Townlands:


Marlay
Cloughlea
Carrickbaggot
Brittas
Swinestown
Glebe
Rinkinstown
Boggottstown
Drumgutter
Walshestown
Garrolagh
Killartry
Ardbolies
Parsonstown
Cruicetown
Reynoldstown



POLICY DOCUMENT WALSHESTOWN SCHOOL

The Board of Management is setting out this policy in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act of 1998. Clarification of any matter contained here in should be obtained from the principal of St. Paul’s National School.

Mr. Declan Breathnach
St. Paul’s National School
Walshestown / Grangebellew
Co. Louth

Tel: 041 6852285 Fax: 041 6852285

Or the Chairman of the Board of Management

Fr. Paul Clayton Lea
Parochial house
Clogherhead
Co. Louth

St Paul’s National School is a Roman Catholic school under the patronage of the Archbishop of Armagh.

There are four full time teachers in the school including the principal. There is a part-time Resource teacher to cater for children of special needs and a part-time Learning Support teacher. Three special needs assistants are employed.

The school teaches both girls and boys and classes are mixed. A full range of subjects is taught following the curricular programme prescribed by the Department of Education.

The school depends on the grants and teacher resources provided by the Department of Education and it operates within the regulations laid down by the Department. School policy must have regard of and operate within the resources and funding available.

The Board of Management undertakes to uphold the characteristic spirit of the school as determined by the cultural, educational, moral, religious, social, linguistic, spiritual values and traditions which are characteristic of St. Paul’s National School Walshestown.


Mission Statement of St. Paul’s National School



To develop in each pupil the highest level of attainment in all areas of the
Curriculum, consistent with each child’s ability.

To develop in each pupil a manner of behaviour which incorporates:
An attitude of caring for, and responsibility to, other people
Moral values and spiritual development consistent with the Christian ethos of the school.
A high degree of self-esteem and self-worth.
An awareness of the environment