Principal: Mr.Pádraig Ó hArtaigh Class Teachers: Ms. Louise Enright Ms. Mary O’Shea Ms. Áine Walsh/Ms. Maria Moore Ms. Fiona O’Brien Ms.Emma Murray Ms. Kim Daly Mr. John Coffey Mr. Mark Nugent Ms. Mary Beresford S.N.A Ms. Anita Duggan Mr. Deaglán Ó hArtaigh Mr. Tomás de Faoite Ms. Nicola Fitzgerald Ms. Lorraine Coughlan Uimhir Rolla 18488J Tel: 05842177 e-mail: [email protected]
Enrolment Policy
General Statement The Board of Management (B.O.M) is setting out its policy in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998. The Board insists that by so doing parents will be assisted in relation to enrolment matters and that furthermore the chairperson of the B.O.M. Rev. Fr. Michael Kennedy, P.P. and the Principal teacher Pádraig Uas. Ó hArtaigh will be happy to clarify any further matters arising from the policy.
This is a Catholic School; the patron is Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan.
There are seven teachers including the Principal teacher,ASD Teacher and Learning Support teacher. The school presently has 5 full time S.N.A.s and a shared Resource teacher.
This is a mixed school, where the full range of classes and subjects are taught.
‘Scoil Naomh Gobnait is a place of learning where we cherish the good of the past, respect the good of the present and prepare to be the good of the future.’ Our full Mission Statement and Ethos may be seen in our school policies.
Curricular programmes: This school follow the curricular programmes prescribed by the D.E.S. which may be amended from time to time in accordance with Sections 9 and 30 of the Education Act 1998.
General Principles: Within the context and parameters of Department regulations and programmes, the rights of the patron as set out in the Education Act and the funding and resources available, the school supports the principles of:
Inclusiveness, particularly in reference to enrolment of children with a disability or other special education need.
Equality of access and participation in the school.
Parental choice in relation to enrolment – respect for the diversity of values, beliefs, traditions, languages and way of life in society.
School Resources The financial resources of the school are provided by a combination of D.E.S. grants, capitation grants, voluntary contributions and fund-raising. The teaching resources are provided by the D.E.S. teacher allocation. The implementation of the school’s admission policy must have due regard to the financial and teaching resources of the school. The school operates within the rules and regulations set down from time to time by the D.E.S. It also follows the curricular programme prescribed by the D.E.S. which may be amended from time to time by the D.E.S. in accordance with the Education Act 1998, (Section 9 and 30).
Opening Times 9.20 am – 2.00pm for Junior and Senior Infants 9.20am - 3.00pm for First to Sixth Classes If there is any deviation from the usual times of opening or closing, for any reason, parents or guardians will receive prior notice of adjusted times. The School Calendar The School Calendar is drawn up at the end of each school year/term, and distributed at the end of last term. Parents or guardians will be supplied with a copy of the calendar. If the calendar has to be adjusted for any reason, parents or guardians will be informed. Application Procedure: The process of application begins with:
A referral from the Autism team or a telephone call or visit in person from the parents. Call or visit will be filed and child will be placed on list of applicants.
A child who is seeking/awaiting a diagnosis of ASD cannot precede a child with a diagnosis on the list. Family details and medical history is then completed. This application must be accompanied by an up to date educational psychological assessment and diagnostic report.
A child must have a recommendation to offer an ASD class(a diagnosis alone will not suffice) in the Primary School setting
Fully completed applications are then recorded in the applications file.
Where an applicant meets the criteria and in Scoil Naomh Gobnait, an Enrolment Form needs to be completed in full.
Enrolment Requirements:
Scoil Naomh Gobnait A.S.D. Class enrols children from the age of 4 years. Pupils may commence attending Scoil Naomh Gobnait once they have reached their 4th birthday before 1st September. Pupils finish their education in this school at the end of the third school term following their 12th birthday and/or with the mainstream class with which they have been included.
If the school authorities and relevant professionals, in consultation with parents/guardians, feel that the child’s placement in Scoil Naomh Gobnait is not appropriate an alternative placement will be recommended.
The assessment report must clearly specify whether a child meets the DSM-IV-or ICD – 10 criteria of a diagnosis of A.S.D or any other criteria set by the SENO.
Criteria for Application/Enrolment:
The classes in Scoil Naomh Gobnait, in consultation with the SENO and ASD team will facilitate children whose diagnosis is one of Autism typical.
The enrolment of children in Scoil Naomh Gobnait will be within the remit of the Board of Management.
Under guidelines from the Department of Education and Skills, the maximum class size is (6) pupils.
The applicant must have a definite diagnosis Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The Special Educational Needs Organiser (S.E.N.O) and the Waterford A.S.D. team must recommend that the child shall attend a special class for children presenting with Autism, within a mainstream primary school.
If the number of children on the list of applicants exceeds the number of places available, the following criteria will apply where such applicants have a diagnosis of A.S.D. and are within the average/mild range of intellectual ability:
Children resident in school catchment area/Parish boundary.
Siblings of pupils already enrolled in the school.
The applicant’s parent/guardian is a past pupil.
Children of current school staff.
If a number of applicants meet all the requirements, children will be accepted on a first-come, first served basis.
Parents will be made aware that their place isn’t guaranteed until February 1st, in the case the criteria for places needs to be fulfilled. A child enrolling in January can precede a child enrolled before that date if they satisfy the above criteria. Allocation of a place in the Autism Class does not guarantee a place in the mainstream classes for any siblings.
Please note that the fulfilling of the enrolment criteria does not necessarily ensure immediate enrolment if:
Necessary resources pertaining to the enrolment are not available.
Sufficient classroom space is not available.
Successful applicants will be furnished with an Enrolment Form. It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to liaise with the Principal re: suitable transport for the child, to and from school. This needs to be arranged in advance of admission. Home/School Communication As part of ensuring good home and school communication, the class teacher will write a “Home Communication Book” about the child’s school day. There is a section for parents to write daily about routine and behaviour. It is vital that this section is filled in each day to communicate with your child’s teacher. This is important information to plan for your child’s learning.
Assessment: As part of ongoing diagnostic assessment/instruction, we may video your child engaged in an activity and subsequently discuss it with school staff, ASD Team and NEPS Psychologist. This is standard practice in many ASD classrooms and we will contact you in advance of showing any footage to professionals involved in the care of your child. Evaluation: The Board of Management will continue to monitor the implementations of all aspects of this policy which will be reviewed and amended as appropriate. Timeframe for Implementation: The policy will be fully implemented immediately. Timeframe for review: The policy will be reviewed every two years.
Ratification and Communication: This policy was ratified by the Board of Management of Scoil Naomh Gobnait. Parents may obtain a copy of this plan or it may be viewed at the school by appointment with the principal.