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ADMISSION’S POLICY
INTRODUCTION
St. Wolstan’s Community School is a recognised Community School for girls in the Celbridge area. The school is an all girl’s school and accordingly will only accept female students.
This policy statement is in line with the Objectives of the School’s Characteristic Spirit/Mission Statement and of the Deed of Trust for Community Schools.
As a Community School, it is multi-denominational and inclusive. Therefore, it provides for the admission of all girls in the community regardless of religious, social class or educational need, within the limit of available accommodation and facilities provided by the Department of Education and Skills. The school is funded by the Department of Education and Skills, and is provided with staff in accordance with the teacher allocation of the Department of Education and Skills.
PATRONS/TRUSTEES
The school is held in trust for the purpose of providing a comprehensive system of post primary education under the trusteeship of Le Chéile, the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin and the Vocational Education Committee of Co. Kildare (Education Act 1998 and the Deed of Trust for Community Schools).
BOARD OF MANAGEMENT
Under the 1998 Education Act, the school’s Board of Management manages the school on behalf of the Patron (Trustees). The Board included representatives from the Trustees, Parents and School Staff.
PURPOSE AND CURRICULUM
The school’s purpose is to:-
Provide a comprehensive system of post primary education open to all children of the community combining instruction in academic and practical subjects and ongoing education of the persons living in the community and generally for the purposes of contributing towards the spiritual, moral, mental and physically well being and development of the community (Deed of Trust for Community Schools. Second Schedule Articles of Management. Par. 2)
The school’s curricular programme is in line with the regulations set down by the Department of Education and Skills and with Section 9 and 30 of the Education Act 1998.
CHARACTER AND RELIGIOUS ETHOS
The Deed of Trust for the Community Schools enjoins that the Board shall ensure that there is religious worship and religious instruction for the pupils in accordance with its rites, practice and teaching of the religious denomination to which the pupil belongs within the available accommodation and facilities provided by the Department of Education and Skills.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
To create a community of excellence in second level education where each person is given the opportunity to reach her own full potential. We endeavour to enable all members of this community to:-
Develop Physically
Nurture healthy relationships
Achieve Academically
Make informed moral choices
And embrace the spiritual dimension of their lives
ACCOMMODATION
The school’s accommodation capacity is for 700 pupils. Classes range from First to Sixth year and include Transition Year and Leaving Certificate Vocational Programmes.
PASTORAL CARE
The school provides comprehensive pastoral care. Every student follows the Social, Personal and Heath Programme (SPHE) as set out the Department of Education and Skills.
The maximum class size according the Department of Education and Skills regulations is thirty for general classes and twenty/twenty four for practical/skills-based classes.
PARENTS/STUDENTS
The school expects that parents, guardians and students should support the school in a positive and active manner. The students are expected to participate positively in the classroom and the extra curricular activities offered by the school. The school needs the full support of parents/guardians and expect attendance at parent/teacher meetings, information meetings and other events. The school welcomes the support and contribution of the Parents’ Association.
SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS (SEN)
The Educational needs of students who have a disability and the educational needs of exceptionally able students (Education Act 1998 S. 15 (2) (g) and Educational for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 Section 2) are welcomed and accommodated in St. Wolstan’s Community School subject to the following:-
Parents are strongly advised to:-
School Management is obliged to:-
St. Wolstan’s welcomes pupils with special needs and will use its financial resources and qualified personnel, provided by the Department of Education & Science to make reasonable accommodation for pupils with disabilities or special educational needs up to a nominal cost so these pupils are free to participate in the life of the school in so far as is reasonable practicable.
The school will meet with parents to discuss the pupil’s needs and the school’s suitability/capability the meeting those needs.
JUNIOR CYCLE PROGRAMME
At Junior Certificate level, all pupils study the Junior Certificate core subjects plus four options in first year and choose two of the four options in second year and third year.
Subjects in the optional list are only available if there is sufficient demand for them and students cannot be guaranteed their preferred subject options.
St. Wolstan’s operates a mixed ability system of education. However, in May all first year students sit common examinations in Irish and Mathematics. Students are allocated to place/places in higher or ordinary level classes (prior to the summer holidays in first year). Parents who wish to appeal their daughter’s placement must notify the Head of Department prior to the summer holidays.
JUNIOR CYCLE CORE SUBJECTS
Irish/Gaeilge
English
Maths
History
Geography
French/Spanish
Science
Religious Education
Physical Education
C.S.P.E.
S.P.H.E.
Information Technology
(Maybe offered subject to availability & resources)
OPTION SUBJECTS
Home Economics
Art, Craft and Design
Music
Technology
Business Studies
It is school policy that students do not drop subjects at Junior Certificate level except in exceptional circumstances.
After Junior Certificate pupils may proceed into either:-
THE TRANSITION YEAR PROGRAMME
RATIONALE AND MISSION
The aims of the Transition Year Programme offered in St. Wolstan’s Community School are:-
ADMISSION POLICY TO THE TRANSITION YEAR PROGRAMME
The Transition Year Programme in St. Wolstan’s Community School is open to all students that have completed 3 Year Junior Certificate State Examinations.
A completed application form must be submitted by a specific date to the Transition Year
Co-Coordinator. Applicants who have not previously been a student at St. Wolstan’s Community School may be considered for Transition upon admission to St. Wolstan’s Community School subject to a place/places being available.
Students will be admitted to the programme subject to resources. The Board of Management has an implied right and duty to limit the intake of students to Transition Year. It would be irresponsible of the Board to admit an excessive number of students as to do so would involve a decline in educational standards and an erosion of the ethos of the TY Programme. In the 2009-2010 school year, St. Wolstan’s Community School has accommodation for an enrolment of 60 students on the TY Programme.
Where the number of applicants exceeds the number of places a waiting list will be established. A place on the waiting list does not in any guarantee a place in the TY Programme.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The following criteria will ascertain suitability:-
A student who fails to secure a place on the programme may appeal the decision to the Principal.
SENIOR CYCLE PROGRAMME
At Leaving Certificate level all pupils study the leaving Certificate core subjects plus three options. Every effort will be made to accommodate student preference. However, this cannot be guaranteed.
Subjects in the optional lists are only available if there is sufficient demand for them.
Students wishing to do higher level subjects at Leaving Certificate level must have completed higher level at Junior Certificate.
SENIOR CYCLE CORE SUBJECTS
- Irish
English
- Maths
- French/Spanish
- Religious Education
- Physical Education
- Speech & Drama
- Career Guidance
- ECDL
OPTION SUBJECT LEAVING CERTIFICATE
Accounting
Art
Biology
Business Studies
Chemistry
Economics
Home Economics Social & Scientific
Geography
History
Music
Technology
LCVP
Physics
It is school policy that students do not drop subjects at Leaving Certificate level except in exceptional circumstances.
ENROLMENT
Enrolment is limited by school capacity and by requirements of the school curriculum and organisation as prescribed from time to time by the Board of Management, and as determined by Department of Education & Skills.
In assessing the application for admission, the school will take fully into account:-
1. The rights of children within the local community;
2.The rights of parents to enrol their children in the school of their choice;
3.The capacity of the school to provide adequately for the education of all its pupils.
ENROLMENT PROCESS
This Admissions Policy has been drawn up by the Board of Management of St. Wolstan’s Community school in consultation with the school staff and has been approved by the Patrons/Trustees.
1. The enrolment process is by written application only. Application forms are available through the primary schools in the local area by the 16 day of October prior to year of entry and also from the school office in St. Wolstan’s Community School.
2. Completed application forms must be submitted to St. Wolstan’s Community School before 30 November of the pupil’s final year in primary school.
3. Parents coming into the area who wish to enrol a student should notify the school in advance, not later than 30 May of the year of entry.
4. Assessment will take place after enrolment to ensure that each pupil is given every opportunity to maximise her potential.
5. The applicant must have reached 12 years of age by 1 January of their first year in St. Wolstan’s Community School.
6. A copy of the applicant’s birth certificate, two passport photographs and registration fee must accompany all applications.
7. All applicants should have completed a full course of primary education or have followed an approved course:-
Students are admitted to St. Wolstan’s Community School subject to the resources in the following order:-
(a) Students living in Celbridge and attending school in Celbridge;
(b) Students living in Straffan and attending school in Straffan;
(c) Students living in Ardclough and attending school in Ardclough;
(d) Students living in Celbridge attending school outside Celbridge;
(e) Sisters of Students already registered in the school;
(f) Daughters of staff and or past pupils in the school;
(g) Students other than (a) to (f) on a first come first serviced basis and living in Clane, Kilcloon, Leixlip, Maynooth, Newcastle, Prosperous, Rathcoffey.
8. Where the number of applicants exceeds the number of places a waiting list is established. Students on a waiting list are admitted to St. Wolstan’s Community School subject to resources and in the order outlined at 7 (a) – (g) above. A place on the waiting list does not in any way guarantee a place in the school. The Board of Management in accordance with school policy makes decisions in relation to applications for enrolments. All admissions are subject to the approval of the Board of Management. The Board of Management may review the admissions policy from time to time. The Board of Management makes the final decision regarding the admissions policy.
9. Acceptance of Places: Applicants who are offered places will be required to confirm in writing acceptance or otherwise within 14 days of the posting of the offer. Parents are also asked to supply details of medical conditions, disabilities, special educational needs, psychological educational assessment, individual educational programme provided in a previous school, personal family details (where relevant).
Parents whose daughters have been offered a place in St. Wolstan’s Community School are expected to:-
Confirm in writing their acceptance of a place by a specific date
Attend an information evening prior to registration of a student.
10. Enrolment into a Year other than 1st Year: Places will be offered to those eligible in accordance with the categories set out above. Enrolment in a year other than 1st year can occur only if vacancies have arisen and if the Board of Management considers that it is advisable to do so. Should a vacancy arise, the intended student along with her parents or guardians will be interviewed by the Principal. All relevant data such as attendance, school reports, as per the Education Welfare Act 2000 concerning the application will be sought by the Principal of the school which the applicant is attending or has most recently attended.
The parents are also required to sign full acceptance of Code of Behaviour of the school prior to their daughter’s entry.
11. The school provides a wide curriculum. Some subjects are compulsory while some are chosen as options. The school aims to offer students their preferred option subjects; however, this may not always be possible due to timetable and resource restrictions. The options being offered may change from year to year depending on resources available. Furthermore, if the demand for a particular subject is very low in any given year, Management reserves the right to withdraw that subject from the curriculum. Where any difficulty arises in relation to the provision of option subjects the decision of Management is final.
TRANSFERS
Students may transfer to the school, subject to the school’s admissions policy, available space and suitability and in some cases, the approval of the Department of Education & Skills. Students must apply to the school and provide necessary data by 30th May of the year of entry. Reference will be sought in each case from the pupil’s previous school/schools in relation to her conduct at school. Where it is established that a student’s behaviour is unacceptable in her previous school/schools the Principal may decide not to accept such a student in the interest of the general school community and may refer the matter to the Board of Management.
In order to consider an application from a student who has been asked to leave another school it is required by the parents of that student to provide written evidence of the completion of the process required by the Education Act 1998 Section 29 (1).
As soon as it is practicable but not later than 21 day, after a parent has provided the information, the Board of Management of the school concerned shall make a decision in respect of the application concerned and inform the parent in writing thereafter.
Normally a student who leaves the school to enrol in another school will not be accepted back into St. Wolstan’s Community School.
APPEALS
The Board of Management reserves the right to refuse application for admission in exceptional circumstances Education Act 2000 Section 24; (5) Page 22 Education Act 1998, Section 29, Page 27 Circular Letter M48/01.
The Board of Management shall not refuse to admit a student, in respect of whom an application to be so admitted has been made, except where such refusal is in accordance with our admissions policy of the recognised school concerned published under Section 15(2) (d) of the Education Act 1998 & Education (Welfare) Act 2000 (Section 19 (1)).
Should a student’s application for admission to the school be refused, the parents/guardians have the right to appeal to the Secretary General of the Department of Education & Skills (Education Act 1998, Section 29 (d). The parents/guardians will be informed in writing of the Board’s decision and the reasons why the student was not accepted will be clearly stated. An application form for such an appeal will be provided. The appeal must be made within 42 calendar days from the date the decision of the Board of Management is notified to the parents/guardians concerned (circular M48/01).
The appeal should be made in writing on an Application Form supplied by the Department of Education & Skills. The Appeals Application should be completed in full and should state:-
1. The decision being appealed;
2. The grounds on which the decision is being appealed.
3. The date that the parents/guardians were informed of the decision.
4. All other relevant information (circular M48/01).
The school must be informed in writing of the decision of appeal.
The appeal may be made to the Secretary General of the Department of Education & Skills. The Appeals Administration Unit, Department of Education & Skills, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1.
Having regard to the desirability of resolving a grievance within the school where possible, the parties to an appeal under Section 29, i.e. the appellant and the school’s Board of Management, will be asked to consider the matter in the first instance at local level to see if accommodation can be reached. As a general rule, appeals will only be considered by an appeals committee under section 29 where the parties are unable to resolve the issue at local level (circular M48/01).
SCHOOLS ORGANISATION
PARENT’S ASSOCIATION
The Parent’s Association promotes the interests of the students in St. Wolstan’s Community School in co-operation with the Board of Management, Principal, teachers and students and for that purpose may adopt a programme of activities, which promote the involvement of parents in consultation with the Board of Management and the Principal in the operation of the school.
STUDENT COUNCIL
The Board of Management has established and maintains a Student’s Council in order to promote the involvement of students in school life.
The Student’s Council facilitates the involvement of the students in the operation of the school, having regard to the age and experience of the students, in association with their parents and teachers.
CODE OF BEHAVIOUR
St. Wolstan’s Code of Behaviour is embedded in the values of the School Mission Statement. Students are expected to behave in a positive manner so that each student takes responsibility for promoting and contributing to a community of learning which aspires to excellence. A worthwhile awards system is in place to encourage leadership, respect and co-operation and students respond well. St. Wolstan’s Community School seeks to promote a sense of responsibility within an atmosphere of friendliness, care, honesty, justice and commitment to each other.
Central to the operation of an effective caring school is a fair and efficient Code of Behaviour to which students, parents, staff and management can subscribe, which encourages mutual respect and co-operation and which has regard to the rights and responsibilities of all concerned. The School Code of Behaviour accompanies this enrolment policy document.
Parents/Guardians and students are required to renew their acceptance of the School’s Code of Behaviour at the commencement of each school year. Parents of students and students themselves wishing to attend St. Wolstan’s Community School must read and accept the school’s Code of Behaviour. Parents and Students must sign the Code of Behaviour.
DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE FOR STUDENTS OF ST. WOLSTAN’S C.S.
Parents are strongly advised to check their daughter’s journal on a regular basis.
St. Wolstan’s Community School recognises that the majority of students are very well behaved and understand the need for good order in classrooms and in the school. However, difficulties may arise. In order to cope with these difficulties, clearly defined procedures and sanctions are required. These procedures and sanctions are based on the table below
Discipline Action Taken By Date/Initials
Report Sheet
1 Talk with Tutor (Pastoral) Tutor P
2 Talk with Tutor/detention refer to Y/H Tutor/Year head P
3 Discussion with Student/Detention Yearhead P
4 Discussion with Student/Detention
and or Report Card Yearhead P
5 Discussion with Student/ Yearhead &
Detention and/or Report Card Deputy Principal P
6 Discussion with Parents-detention Yearhead &
Deputy Principal P
7 Suspension/Detention Yearhead &
Deputy Principal P
8 Suspension Yearhead &
Deputy Principal P
9 Suspension refer to BOM Yearhead &Deputy Principal/BOM P
10 Refusal to Register Principal/BOM P
Serious incident such a blatant defiance/health and safety issue can be dealt with at a level deemed appropriate to the situation.
GROSS MISCONDUCT:
Where a student has behaved in a seriously unacceptable manner or there has been a serious incident, the normal progressive disciplining process would not be appropriate. In this case the procedure is as follows:
1. Teacher writes a note and sends a student to the Deputy Principal, Principal, Assistant Principal, Year Head Teacher.
2. Deputy Principal, Principal, Assistant Principal or Year Head withdraws the pupil from the class.
3. Deputy Principal/Year Head undertakes a full investigation.
4. Student is made aware of complaint.
5. Parents are informed and made fully aware of complaint.
6. Parents/Guardians are invited to attend a formal meeting at which the student will be given an opportunity to fully state her version of events.
7. Deputy Principal /Year Head/Principal will carefully consider all the relevant facts and recommend an appropriate course of action.
8. If a penalty/sanction is appropriate it may range from a verbal warning to recommendation of Board of Management for expulsion.
DISCIPLINARY SANCTION
DETENTION
Certain breaches of discipline are punishable by detention. Detention is an approved sanction in the school. It will be used reasonably and will be appropriate to the offence, the age of the student, inconvenience or danger from travelling home alone or at a later time. Parents will have due notice of detention. Detention will be held at times specified by school management.
SUSPENSION
Suspension is a serious sanction and will be imposed by the Principal in cases where other efforts to resolve a disciplinary situation have failed or where the nature of the incident dictates that a student be removed from the school. Before suspending a student the Principal will inform the parents in writing of the reason for the suspension, the length of the suspension and the requirements that must be met to gain re-instatement. The school will require a student to give an undertaking (oral or written) that she will behave appropriately if permitted to return to the school from suspension. Parents are fully informed of their right to appeal to the Board of Management against the suspension. All suspensions will be reported to the Board of Management.
In accordance with section 21 Education Welfare Act 2000, where a student is suspended for six days or more, the Principal must report by notice in writing to an educational welfare officer.
EXPULSION
Expulsion is the most severe sanction imposed by a school. It will only be imposed for serious breaches of school discipline (gross misconduct) or for a consistent and progressive failure to abide by the school Code of Behaviour and values. In accordance with the Deed of Trust the Principal may for a cause, which he/she judges adequate, recommend the expulsion of a student to the Board of Management. The parents will be informed of the complaint. The case against the student will be put to the student in the presence of her parents/guardians and they will be given an opportunity to respond. Parents will be provided with a fair opportunity to challenge the evidence. The parents are informed in writing of the decision, the reasons for it and the right to appeal to the Board of Management by a specified date.
THE EQUAL STATUS ACT, 2000
Schools are now regulated by the Equal Status Act 2000, which aims to promote equality and prohibit types of discrimination, harassment and related behaviour in connection with the provision of services, property and other opportunities to which the public generally has access. A school has duties under the Act i.e. under section 4,5 and 7 of the Act. An “educational establishment” such as a school is “a provider of a service” for the purposes of s.4 of the Act as it provides the service of education to students. A school may also be involved in the disposal of goods or in the supply of services under section 5 or as an “educational establishment” under section 7. There are nine heads of discrimination contained in section 3(2) of the Act. They are: gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age (over 18 years), disability, race and traveller community.
DISCRIMATION
Discrimination occurs when, on any of the above discriminatory grounds, a person is treated less favourably, was treated less favourable or would be treated less favourable than another person.
DISCRIMINATION ON THE GROUNDS OF DISABILITY
“For the purposes of this Act discrimination includes a refusal or failure by the provider of a service to do all that is reasonable to accommodate the needs of a person with a disability by providing special treatment or facilities, if without such special treatment of facilities it would be impossible or unduly difficult for the person to avail himself or herself of the service. A “provider of a service” includes “educational establishment”. Thus, a school is required “to do all that is reasonable to accommodate the needs of a person with a disability by providing special treatment of facilities, if without such special treatment of facilities it would be impossible or unduly difficult for the person to avail himself of herself of a service” (2) A refusal or failure to provide the special treatment of facilities to which subsection (1) refers shall not be deemed reasonable unless such provision would give rise to a cost, other than a nominal cost, to provider of the service in question”.
“Where a person has a disability, that in the circumstances could cause harm to the person or to others, treating the person differently to the extent reasonably necessary to prevent such harm does not constitute discrimination.
SEXUAL OR OTHER HARASSMENT
The Act prohibits sexual and other harassment. Sexual harassment takes place where a person:-
In order to constitute sexual harassment, the act request or conduct must be:
Harassment without sexual element, is also prohibited by the Act and takes place where a person, subject the victim to any unwelcome act, request or conduct including spoken words, gestures, or the production display or circulation or written words, pictures or other material, which in respect of the victim is based on any discriminatory ground and which could be reasonably be regarded as offensive humiliating or intimidating to him or her.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HARASSMENT OR SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Section 11(2) provides that “A person (“the responsible person”) who is responsible for the operation of any place that is an educational establishment or at which goods, services or accommodation facilities are offered to the public shall not permit another person who has a right to be present in or to avail himself of herself of any facilities, goods or services provided at that place, to suffer sexual harassment or harassment at that place”.
Board of Management carry heavy responsibility in this sphere (s.42). The Board expressly states in the School Plan and Guidelines for Staff in their dealings and relationships with students that both harassment and sexual harassment are strictly prohibited by the Board, that anti-harassment and anti-sexual harassment policies are drawn up and implemented and that these policies are expressly communicated to all staff and students of the school and are also incorporated in school letting agreements or other agreement to third parties and in teacher contracts of employment.
St. Wolstan’s Community School’s Admissions Policy is drawn up in line with:-
Article 43 (Education) and 44 (Religion) of the Irish Constitution
Education Act 1998 Section 15(2) & Section 29 (1)
Education Welfare Act, 2000 Section 19, Section 23
Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 Section 2
Equal Status Act, 2000 Section 3 (2), Section 4, Section 7 (2) (3) (4)
Deed of Trust for Community Schools (The Second Schedule, Articles of Management) Par 2
European Union Law, Council Directive 2000/43/EC 29 June 2000.
REVIEW
The Admission Policy may be updated from time to time. Any subsequent admissions will super cede any previous versions of the policy