Enrolment Policy
General Information:
Kolbe is a special school set up specifically to cater for children (age 4-18) within the severe to profound learning disability spectrum and those within that category with Autism.
It is an essential basic requirement that all children to be enrolled are assessed as falling within the severe to profound learning disability category. An up to date psychological assessment must be forwarded to the school prior to enrolment.
Children with moderate learning disabilities maybe enrolled in the school for a programme for very specific needs. The enrolment will have to be deemed agreeable with the SENO, the Board of Management and the Patron Body. The child’s dependency needs will also be taken into consideration.
Purpose of this Document:
The enrolment Policy is set out in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998 Section 15 Subsection 2. By doing so the Board of Management trusts that parents/guardians will be assisted in relation to enrolment matters. The Chairperson of the Board of Management and the Principal of Kolbe Special School will be happy to clarify any further matters arising from the policy with parents/guardians, if they so wish.
School Ethos and Resources:
Kolbe Special School is a Catholic School under the patronage of the Muiriosa Foundation. The school caters for children with severe / profound general learning disabilities and autism. At present we have five classes, with a staff of five teachers plus the principal, twelve special needs assistants, two nurses, secretary, caretaker, bus escorts and visiting Health Care Professionals.
Resources and Regulations:
The school operates under the rules and regulations of the Department of Education and Skills (DES). It is dependent on grants and teacher resources provided by the DES. This Enrolment Policy operates within the resources and funding made available to the school and in accordance with the rules and regulations that accompany these resources.
Curriculum:
The school implements the Revised Primary School Curriculum in conjunction with the Curriculum Guidelines for students with Severe and Profound General Learning Disabilities as prescribed by the Department of Education and Skills.
The following subject areas are taught:
Principle of Equality of Access:
Within the context of DES regulations and programmes, the rights of our Patron and the resources available, Kolbe Special School supports the principle of equality of access. It is the key value that determines the enrolment of pupils to the school. A pupil is not refused admission for reasons of ethnicity, special educational needs, disability, language / accent, traveller status, asylum seeker status, refugee status, religious values, political values, or family or social circumstances.
Procedures for the Purpose of Enrolment to the School
Enrolment Form:
Parents / Guardians wishing to enrol their son / daughter in the school will be required to fill in an Enrolment Form. This form should be returned to the school with an original Birth / Adoption Certificate. By prior arrangements parents /guardians may visit the school to discuss their child’s enrolment with the principal.
The Board of Management will require the following information:
Principle of Enrolment on Application:
The Board of Management makes decisions in relation to applications for enrolment, in accordance with school policy. As a general principle and as far as is practicable, children will be enrolled on application, provided that space is available subject to the following:
Should adaptations to the school building be required to accommodate individual needs, such adaptations must be in place before enrolment.
In the event of a delay in the decision, the Board of Management shall make a decision not later than 21 days, after a parent has provided information as prescribed by the Minister under the Education Welfare Act 2000.
Respecting the Rights of the Existing School Community:
While recognising the right of parents to enrol their child in the school of their choice, the Board of Management 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 interest of all children. Assisting the school in such circumstances, the Board of Management reserve the right to determine the maximum number of children in each separate classroom bearing in mind:
(This is currently a maximum 6 pupils 1 teacher and 2 special needs assistants).
Criteria to determine Priorities:
In the event of the number of children seeking enrolment in any given class exceeding the number of places available preceding or during the school year (due to the Board of Management being unable to provide suitable accommodation or recruit the required teaching staff) the following criteria will be used to prioritise children for enrolment:
Dates for Enrolment:
Normally pupils are enrolled for the beginning of the school year i.e. September 1st. However pupils may be enrolled during the school year, e.g. if they are newly resident in the parish or in the catchment area. Pupils wishing to transfer from other schools are enrolled subject to rule 64 of the rules governing National Schools.
Pupils transferring from another school:
Pupils may transfer at anytime to the school subject to the school policy, the space available and in some cases the approval of the Department of Education and Skills. In accordance with the Education Welfare Act (2000) Section 20(3), the principal will inform the pupil’s former school of the registration. The principal of the former school will notify the principal of any problem relating to school attendance and other matters relating to the child’s educational progress which is considered appropriate.
General Information:
Kolbe is a special school set up specifically to cater for children (age 4-18) within the severe to profound learning disability spectrum and those within that category with Autism.
It is an essential basic requirement that all children to be enrolled are assessed as falling within the severe to profound learning disability category. An up to date psychological assessment must be forwarded to the school prior to enrolment.
Children with moderate learning disabilities maybe enrolled in the school for a programme for very specific needs. The enrolment will have to be deemed agreeable with the SENO, the Board of Management and the Patron Body. The child’s dependency needs will also be taken into consideration.
Purpose of this Document:
The enrolment Policy is set out in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act 1998 Section 15 Subsection 2. By doing so the Board of Management trusts that parents/guardians will be assisted in relation to enrolment matters. The Chairperson of the Board of Management and the Principal of Kolbe Special School will be happy to clarify any further matters arising from the policy with parents/guardians, if they so wish.
School Ethos and Resources:
Kolbe Special School is a Catholic School under the patronage of the Muiriosa Foundation. The school caters for children with severe / profound general learning disabilities and autism. At present we have five classes, with a staff of five teachers plus the principal, twelve special needs assistants, two nurses, secretary, caretaker, bus escorts and visiting Health Care Professionals.
Resources and Regulations:
The school operates under the rules and regulations of the Department of Education and Skills (DES). It is dependent on grants and teacher resources provided by the DES. This Enrolment Policy operates within the resources and funding made available to the school and in accordance with the rules and regulations that accompany these resources.
Curriculum:
The school implements the Revised Primary School Curriculum in conjunction with the Curriculum Guidelines for students with Severe and Profound General Learning Disabilities as prescribed by the Department of Education and Skills.
The following subject areas are taught:
- Language and Speech Programme
- Mathematics
- Social, Environmental and Scientific Education: History, Geography and Science ·
- Arts Education: Visual Arts, Music and Drama
- Physical Education
- Physiotherapy Programme
- Social, Personal and Health Education
- Religious Education
Principle of Equality of Access:
Within the context of DES regulations and programmes, the rights of our Patron and the resources available, Kolbe Special School supports the principle of equality of access. It is the key value that determines the enrolment of pupils to the school. A pupil is not refused admission for reasons of ethnicity, special educational needs, disability, language / accent, traveller status, asylum seeker status, refugee status, religious values, political values, or family or social circumstances.
Procedures for the Purpose of Enrolment to the School
Enrolment Form:
Parents / Guardians wishing to enrol their son / daughter in the school will be required to fill in an Enrolment Form. This form should be returned to the school with an original Birth / Adoption Certificate. By prior arrangements parents /guardians may visit the school to discuss their child’s enrolment with the principal.
The Board of Management will require the following information:
- Child’s name and address
- Child’s date of birth
- Parents / Guardians names, telephone numbers and address (es) if different to that of their child
- Occupation of parents / guardians
- Child’s status in the family
- Religion
- All medical conditions, Medical Reports and Psychological Reports
- Child’s doctors name, address and telephone number
- Previous schools attended and reason for transfer to the school, if relevant
- Other relevant information which parents / guardians may deem necessary
- Contact person information/telephone numbers in case of emergency
- A copy of your child’s Baptismal Certificate.
Principle of Enrolment on Application:
The Board of Management makes decisions in relation to applications for enrolment, in accordance with school policy. As a general principle and as far as is practicable, children will be enrolled on application, provided that space is available subject to the following:
Should adaptations to the school building be required to accommodate individual needs, such adaptations must be in place before enrolment.
- The Board of Management reserves the right to seek one-to-one SNAs for high priority children (as determined by the professional team) and to delay formal enrolment until such is sanctioned.
- The Board of Management of Kolbe reserves the right to assess the suitability of the child (within a probationary period of one term) by its in-house professional team.
- Should the education programme offered not best meet the needs of the child the parents will be advised as soon as possible and referred to a more suitable placement.
In the event of a delay in the decision, the Board of Management shall make a decision not later than 21 days, after a parent has provided information as prescribed by the Minister under the Education Welfare Act 2000.
Respecting the Rights of the Existing School Community:
While recognising the right of parents to enrol their child in the school of their choice, the Board of Management 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 interest of all children. Assisting the school in such circumstances, the Board of Management reserve the right to determine the maximum number of children in each separate classroom bearing in mind:
- The size of and available space in each classroom;
- The physical and educational needs of the children;
- The presence of children with special educational needs or behavioural needs;
- The Department of Education and Skills maximum class average directives.
(This is currently a maximum 6 pupils 1 teacher and 2 special needs assistants).
Criteria to determine Priorities:
In the event of the number of children seeking enrolment in any given class exceeding the number of places available preceding or during the school year (due to the Board of Management being unable to provide suitable accommodation or recruit the required teaching staff) the following criteria will be used to prioritise children for enrolment:
- Where the number of applicants exceeds the availability of places the Board of Management will offer places based on the school’s ability to provide the best possible service to those offered.
- Offers will be made following full discussion with parents, Kolbe’s professional team and the inspectorate of the Department of Education and Skills.
Dates for Enrolment:
Normally pupils are enrolled for the beginning of the school year i.e. September 1st. However pupils may be enrolled during the school year, e.g. if they are newly resident in the parish or in the catchment area. Pupils wishing to transfer from other schools are enrolled subject to rule 64 of the rules governing National Schools.
- The Board of Management of Kolbe reserves the right to enrol children for part-time hours during the introductory probationary period.
- The Board of Management of Kolbe reserves the right to stagger enrolment during any period where more than one pupil is entering the reception class at the same time depending on the number of children being enrolled.
- Pupils must have attained age 4 but preferably should be aged 5 by September 1st of initial school year and not exceed age 18 by September 1st of initial school year.
Pupils transferring from another school:
Pupils may transfer at anytime to the school subject to the school policy, the space available and in some cases the approval of the Department of Education and Skills. In accordance with the Education Welfare Act (2000) Section 20(3), the principal will inform the pupil’s former school of the registration. The principal of the former school will notify the principal of any problem relating to school attendance and other matters relating to the child’s educational progress which is considered appropriate.