Scoil Naomh Sheosaimh

Admission & Enrolment Policy

The Board of Management of Scoil Naomh Sheosaimh, Buaile Beag, Bearna, sets out its enrolment policy in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998.

School Name: Scoil Naomh Sheosaimh
Address: Buaile Beag, Bearna,Co. na Gaillimhe
Telephone: 091 - 520933
E.mail: buailebeagns@hotmail.com
Chairperson of B.O.M.: Mr. Christopher Barry
School's Denominational Character: Catholic
Patron: Bishop Martin Drennan
Permanent Teachers:
Damian Ó Caoimh
Aoibheann Nic Thoirealaigh
Peadar Ó Cualáin
Fíona Ní Flatharta
Linda Nic an Chléirigh
Kathleen Ní Riain
Caitriona Ní Loinsigh

Scoil Naomh Sheosaimh is a mixed school.
The School depends on Grants and teacher resources provided by the Department of Education & Science.
The School Policy must have regard to resources & funding available.
The School follows the Curricular Programmes prescribed by the Dept. of Education
& Science which may be amended from time to time, in accordance with Sections 9
and 30 of the Education Act 1998 and the Education Welfare Act 2000.
Within the context and parameters of the 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 with reference to the enrolment of children with special educational needs.
• equaility of access and participation in the school
• parental choice in relation to enrolment
• respect for the diversity of values, beliefs, traditions, languages and ways of life in society

Opening hours:
Infants: 08.50 - 1.30 p.m.
1st - 6th 08.50 - 2.30 p.m.
Break 11.00 - 11.10 a.m.
Lunch 12.30 - 1.00 p.m.

Application Procedures:
Parents who wish to enrol pupils may do so by filling & returning the completed application form. These forms are kept on file and decisions regarding applications are made by the Board of Management, in accordance with school policy.
Children who apply to transfer to Scoil Naomh Sheosaimh may do so in the above manner. Every effort to accommodate them will be made. As a general rule children will be enrolled on application provided there is space.
Circular 32/03 states: "Pupils who have completed sixth class must not transfer to another primary school to repeat sixth class" and for this reason will not be admitted.
The Board of Management will require certain information on application. Such information will include:

• Pupils name, address, date of birth, P.P.S. Number
• Names and addresses of Parents / Guardians
• Contact telephone numbers
• Contact telephone numbers in case of emergency
• Details of any medical conditions, of which the school should be aware
• Religion
• Any other relevant information (including other information as may be prescribed under the Education Welfare Act).

The Board is bound by the D.E.S. Rules for National Schools which state that pupils may only be enrolled from the age of 4 years and upwards although compulsory attendance does not apply until the age of 6.

Equality of access is the key value that determines the enrolment of children to our school. No child is refused admission for reasons of ethnicity, special education needs, disability, language/accent, gender, traveller status, asylum-seeker, refugee status, religious/political beliefs & values, family or social circumstances.

While recognising the right of parents to enrol their child in the school of their choice, the B.O.M. of Scoil Naomh Sheosaimh is also responsible to respect the rights of the existing school community and in particular, the children already enrolled. This requires balanced judgements which are guided by the principles of natural justice and acting in the best interests of all children. Assisting the school in such circumstances, the B.O.M. reserves the right to determine the maximum number of children in each separate classroom bearing in mind:

a) Size of/available space in classrooms
b) Educational needs of children
c) The demands of multi-grade classes
d) Presence of children with special educational/behavioural needs
e) D.E.S. directives on maximum class size

In the event of the number of children seeking enrolment in any given class/ standard exceeding the number of places available, the following criteria will be used to prioritise children for enrolment:

• Parish boundaries and or Diocesan Policies

• Brothers and Sisters of children already enrolled.

• Children of Staff members

• Children whose families have had past association with Scoil Naomh Sheosaimh

• Ages of children

No child will be excluded on grounds of disability, race, colour or creed.
Children with special needs will be resourced in accordance with the level of resources provided by the D.E.S. to the Board of Management.
Children enrolled in our school are required to co-operate with and support the school/Board of Management Code of Behaviour as well as other curricular, organisational and Management policies. The B.O.M. places Parents and Guardians responsible for children's co-operation and support for these policies in an age appropriate way.