ADMISSIONS POLICY
This policy is developed in accordance with the Mission Statement of Hartstown/Huntstown Community School and having due regard to the following legislation;
Education Act 1998
Education (Welfare) Act 2000
Equal Status Act 2000
Deed of Trust for Community Schools
European Union Law-Council Directive 2000.
CATCHMENT AREA
The catchment area of Hartstown/Huntstown Community School is based on the defined parishes of Hartstown and Huntstown for which the school was established. This is in keeping with Article 2 of the second schedule of Articles of Management of the Deed of Trust which states: “The school shall be established with the object of providing a comprehensive system of post-primary education open to all children of the community, combining instruction in academic and practical subjects, and ongoing education for persons living in the defined parishes of Hartstown and Huntstown in the county of Dublin 15. (Article 2 of Articles of Management page 17)
ADMISSION CRITERIA
The catchment area of the school is as defined above
Hartstown / Huntstown Community School welcomes applications on behalf of students from the following categories depending on available places.
a) Children who reside in a permanent capacity in the defined parishes of Hartstown and Huntstown have automatic access. Waiting lists apply.
b) Children who attend St. Ciaran’s or Sacred Heart of Jesus Primary School and who reside outside the defined parishes but who have attended those schools from junior infants onwards.
c) Children of staff of Hartstown Community School.
d) Children whose brothers/sisters attended Hartstown/Huntstown Community School but whose families now reside outside the catchment area.
e) Children from developments at Clonee adjacent to Hartstown and Huntstown such as Little Pace, Hunters Run, Castaheany etc. depending on available places and resources.
f) Areas not covered by categories (a) – (e) south of the old Navan Road
g) Areas not covered by categories (a) – (e) north of the old Navan Road
Note: Category (a) students have automatic access. Categories (b) to (e) depend on availability of places and resources and are considered in that order, i.e (b) then (c) then (d) then (e) then (f) then (g) in the order i.e. (b) to (g).
Note: A student applying for admittance to first year must have reached the required statutory age i.e. 12yrs. by January of the following year and should have completed 6th class in Primary school or equivalent.
All other applications not coming within the above criteria will be examined by the Board.
WAITING LIST
If the number of applications exceeds the number of places available, waiting lists will be established under each category (a) to (f). Late applications will be placed on the relevant waiting list. Applicants on list (a) will have priority over applications on list (b) and so on.
ADMISSION PROCEDURES
(1) Application for enrolment is carried out by the completion in full of the approved application form, duly signed by parents / guardian.
This includes supplying PPS no., birth certificate and utility bill as proof of address.
(2) Completed applications for first year students for the school year beginning in September are processed in the preceding month of October on a date specified on the official letter of notice.
(3) Application forms are available from the school office.
(4) Application for enrolment at other times during the year is carried out by making formal contact with the school office for the appropriate form and documentation.
(5) Parents / Guardians are requested to supply evidence of ability to meet the conditions of the Admissions Policy of the Board where requested to do so, such as a utility bill as evidence of address.
(6) Students must be willing, with parents / guardians to accept the school code of behaviour and other policies sanctioned by the Board of Management. Confirmation in writing of that acceptance is required of parents / guardians and of students. The signing of the application form by the parent / guardians and students will commit parties to that acceptance.
(7) Parents and prospective students must be willing to accept the school ethos.
(8) Applicants for first year must have reached the required age which is 12 on the 1st January in the calendar year following the student’s entry into first year, (birth certificate must be shown)
have completed sixth class standard in primary school and
be willing to take an Assessment Test.
(9) Following enrolment the Board will decide on the number of classes to be formed to cater for first year for the following school year.
(10) Parents / Guardians of applicants are requested to pay a contribution of €20 to cover administration costs of assessments, stationery, printing, postage, etc. for incoming first year students. This fee is non-refundable unless admission is refused. It is separate to the Sports & Recreation contribution.
For students who accept a place in the school there is a voluntary contribution to a Sports and Recreation fund. This covers transport associated with the many activities which are promoted, prizes for sports days and purchase of gear, all in-house Examination, Parents Newsletters and postage for reports home etc. (Currently €120 for 2 or more family members, €60 for an individual student).
(11) On enrolment, Parents will receive relevant documentation outlining school policy on a range of areas as required under The Education Act 1998 e.g. Admission Policy, Management and structures of the school, the curriculum on offer, Code of Discipline, Special programmes, Extra-curricular activities etc.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late applications will be accepted, subject to the foregoing admissions policy and other conditions as outlined and provided there are places available.
Applications for other year groups are also accepted on the above basis subject to places being available in the subject options of the year group concerned with the maximum class numbers specified.
STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
The school’s ability to provide a good education to students with particular needs is dependent on the provision of resources by the Department of Education & Science.
You are asked to complete the application form filling in as much detail as possible regarding special educational needs. The Board will then be in a position to apply to the Department of Education and Science for the resources to suit each child’s particular need.
TRANSFER OF A STUDENT FROM ANOTHER SCHOOL
The Board of Management will decide on applications for admission to a year group from another school under its admissions policy.
(a) Where a student’s application meets the criteria laid down at (a), (b) and (c) of the admission criteria he / she will also be required to meet the conditions listed below.
(b) The transfer request must in all cases be supported in writing by the Principal of the pupil’s current school.
The Board will also consider:
– the reasons for seeking such a transfer
– all relevant information concerning such a request
– all reports educational and otherwise from the applicant’s previous school or schools.
– whether acceptance is in the best interest of the student
– whether acceptance is in the best interest of the school.
– any contractual conditions which should be entered into by the prospective applicant and his/her parents or guardians prior to acceptance.
Following the receipt of the application form and the provision of such information as may be prescribed by the Minister “as soon as practicable, but not later than 21 days, the Board of Management of the school concerned shall make a decision in respect of the application concerned and inform the parent in writing thereof”.
Education (Welfare ) Act 2000, section 19 (3).
The school is committed to meeting, to the best of its ability, the educational needs of the students it accepts based on the resources provided by the Department of Education and Science in terms of accommodation, finance and personnel.
Note: The Board reserves the right to refuse enrolment in the following exceptional circumstances:
• Where a pupil has special needs such that, even with additional resources available from DES, the school cannot meet such needs and/or provide the pupil with an appropriate education.
• Where in the opinion of the BOM, the pupil poses an unacceptable risk to other pupils, school staff and/or school property or to the teaching and learning environment.