INTRODUCTION (Aim, Vision, Ethos) Pages 2-3

General Enrolment Policy

Effective from May 2017

CONTENTS:

INTRODUCTION (Aim, Vision, Ethos) Pages 2-3

ADMISSIONS

a)First Year Pages 3-6

General criteria priority groupings

Applications after the closing date

Random selection, waiting lists

Procedures for applications

b)During school year or into a year other than first year Pages 7-8

RIGHT TO REFUSE ENROLMENT Page 8

APPEALS Page 9

INTRODUCTION

Hansfield Educate Together Secondary School (Hansfield ETSS) is an equality based, co-educational secondary school recognised by the Department of Education and Skills (DES). As such, it operates within the regulations laid down by the DES. The school follows the curricular programmes prescribed by the Department, which may be amended from time to time, in accordance with Sections 9 and 30 of the Education Act, 1998 (see school website at

Aim

This policy is rooted in the school’s fundamental aim of providing a comprehensive system of post-primary education for young people. Hansfield ETSS aims to provide an education that will enable all students to contribute meaningfully to their communities, embrace the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in a democratic society and develop the knowledge and skills necessary to live their lives and to build their careers in the 21st century.

Vision

Hansfield ETSS is committed to pursuing excellence by promoting ‘learning through discovery’. It will work towards building a culture of respect, honesty and fairness within the whole-school community and creating an environment that is safe, caring and encouraging for all students.

Our vision is for a new model of second-level schooling that places the student – your child – and their learning and development at its centre. We aim to create a vibrant, welcoming school community to which every student feels a real sense of belonging. We use modern and innovative teaching and learning methods to enable each individual student to reach their full academic and social potential.

Ethos

Hansfield ETSS operates under the patronage of Educate Together as a mainstream, co-educational second-level school. It provides a broad post-primary curriculum at junior and senior cycle and is open to all, irrespective of social, cultural or religious grounds.Educate Together schools are committed to the principles and values laid down in Educate Together’s Charter and further developed in the Educate Together Blueprint for second-level schools. They are learner-centred, equality based, co-educational and are run democratically. This means that all members of the Hansfield ETSS school community, whatever their social, cultural or belief background, work together in an atmosphere of dignity and respect. The ethos provides a strong moral, ethical and spiritual framework for the whole-school community, and informs all policies and practices in the daily life of the school.

To support the ethos, students follow a programme of ethical education and practice which includes learning about different belief systems and religions, and promotes respect for the environment, other people and the community. The Board of Management and the school management upholds the characteristic spirit of the school when developing and implementing policies and making decisions.

ADMISSIONS

Admissions toHansfield ETSS are managed in accordance with the requirements of the Education Act, 1998 and reflects the educational philosophy and aims of Educate Together, the patron body.

Parents/guardians of applicants must complete the Enrolment Form (available from the school website or the school office). An application from a third party will not be accepted. The applicant’s original birth certificate (long form), two passport photosand proof ofresidence (two utility bills) must accompany applications. Applicants successful in obtaining admission and their parent/guardian will be required to sign the school’s Positive Code of Behaviour and other relevant policies.

1)First Year

• In accordance with Department of Education and Skills regulations and guidance applications are subject to the following general criteria:

-Applicants must have reached twelve years of age by January 1st of their first year in Hansfield ETSS and should be no older than is appropriate to their peers

-Applicantsshould be in 6thclass in primary school or have completed a primary school programme including 6th class or equivalent.

• Students with special educational needs, who meet the above criteria are welcome to apply to the school. Hansfield ETSS is committed, within its resources, to doing all that is reasonable to accommodate students with special needs. The Board of Management and principal must, therefore, be made aware of any special needs as early as possible so that these needs can be assessed and addressed where possible.

To assist the Board of Management in meeting student needs it is essential that the school is fully informed during the application process of the student’s educational history and any special resources already in place in primary school.

Parents/Guardians who wish to apply for a place in Cosán (Special Class for Students with Autism) should alsorefer to the Admissions Policy for Cosán (see school website).

• Hansfield ETSS reserves the right to limit the number of incoming first years if it is deemed necessary to do so. This is set at 150 for 2018/2019.

• While every effort will be made to cater for all eligible applicants, capacity is dependent on resources provided by the Department of Education and Skills. In the first instance, where applications have been received on or before the closing date, places will be offered to applicants in the following priority order:

Priority 1 – Siblings

Siblings of students already currently attending the school.

Priority 2 – Catchment Area

Students who, at the time of application, reside within the catchment area – Hansfield, Castaheany, Ongar, Phibblestown and Littlepace. Where residency within catchment is the criterion for enrolment, proof of residence will be sought for example provision of two utility bills such as Electricity Supply, Gas Supply, Phone Bill (landline), Internet access/Broadband. Only the applicant’s primary permanent residence will be considered for enrolment purposes.

If the number of applications exceeds the number of places available, and applicants from Priority 1have been accommodated, random selection will apply. If necessary, a waiting list will be created in the order arising from the random selection process.

Priority 3 – Educate Together

Students who, at the time of application, attend an Educate Together primary school.

If the number of applications exceeds the number of places available, and applicants from Priority 1 and 2have been accommodated, random selection will apply. If necessary, a waiting list will be created in the order arising from the random selection process.

Priority 4 - All Other Applicants

Where demand exceeds the number of places availableand applicants from

Priority 1, 2 and 3 have been accommodated, random selection will apply. If necessary, a waiting list will be created in the order arising from the random selection process.

Applications received after the closing date

Applications received after the closing date will be dated on receipt and placed on a waiting list. Places will be offered on a first come basis after any existing waiting list has been processed.

Random Selection and Waiting Lists

When random selection is necessary it will be conducted by a sub-committee of the board to include:

-2 members of the Board of Management

-1 nominee of the Parents Association

-1 external observer.

Enrolment Process and Procedures

• The Enrolment Process for first year intake in 2018/2019 will open on Wednesday 10thMay 2017. The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, 9th June 2017.

• Notification of opening and closing dates will be placed on the school website. A text message will issue to parents/guardians who already have children enrolled in the school. Notice will also issue to primary schools in the catchment area.
• Enrolment Application Forms can be obtained from the school - Hansfield ETSS, Barnwell Road, Hansfield, Dublin 15 or can be downloaded from the Hansfield ETSS website They must be submitted on or before the closing date by the parent/guardian and accompanied by the required supporting documentation – birth certificate, two passport photos and two utility bills and other relevant reports.
• Offer of places will begin three weeks after the closing date for receipt of applications. Failure to accept a place offered in writing within 14 days of the date on the letter of offer may result in the place being forfeited.
• Places will be offered in order of priority i.e. Priority 1, 2, 3 and 4. Where demand for places exceeds the number of places available a waiting list will be created using a random selection process.
• Applications received after the closing date will be dated and placed on a waiting list. Places will be offered on a first come basis and only after any existing waiting lists created for applicants received before the closing date have been cleared.

• All waiting lists created during the process will remain live for one year after the closing date for applications. After this date, a new enrolment application must be submitted. Applicants on waiting lists will receive periodic updates of any progress to keep them advised of their place on the waiting list.

2)Duringschool year or into a year other than first year

• Applications for admission during the school year or into a year other than first year will be considered at the discretion of the board of management in the context of:

-The student has just arrived to live in Ireland

-The student has just arrived to live in the catchment area

-The reports received from schools previously attended

-The availability of a suitable place

-The ability to provide an appropriate and full programme of education to meet the needs of the student seeking enrolment

-The impact on the education provision for the current cohort of students

-The responsibility to maintain an orderly and respectful environment.

• The following procedures apply:

-The application must be made in writing by the parent/guardian i.e. completion of the enrolment form and accompanied by a birth certificate and two utility bills as proof of address

-The application must be accompanied by the two most recent school reports and a reference from the student’s previous school or schools if deemed necessary

-The student’s parent/guardian will be required to attend an interview to establish if in the judgement of the school authority:

i)The student is deemed suitable for admission

ii)The student because of previous education, training or experience is likely to benefit from attendance

iii)The student will contribute positively to the school and will not infringe upon the opportunities or right of other students or staff

• Applications from students with a history of suspension or who have been expelled will not be considered until the parent/guardian(s) provide written evidence of the completion of the Appeal Process under Section 29 of the Education Act.

• Applications for a transfer from another school will not be accepted after 31st May of the year prior to the academic year to which the application applies, except where the student has just arrived in Ireland or to live in the catchment area and evidence is provided to indicate that the application could not be made by this date.

• Applications for entry into an examination year will not be considered.

RIGHT TO REFUSE ENROLMENT

Hansfield ETSS recognises the right of parents/guardians to enrol in the school. However, it has a responsibility to respect the rights of other students, and studentsalready enrolled. This requires balanced judgements, guided by the principles of natural justice and acting in the best interests of all students.

The Board of Management seeks to promote the greatest good for the student body. It, therefore, reserves the right to refuse enrolment to any student in exceptional circumstances (Education Welfare Act, 2000 S (24), Education Act, 1998 S (29) and Department Circular letter M48/01. A place will not be offered where:

iv)Where, in the opinion of the Board of Management, the applicant poses an unacceptable risk to other students, staff or school property.

v)Where a report from another school indicates that the applicant’s behaviour record could be detrimental to the safety, welfare and/or education of students and the welfare and safety of staff at Hansfield ETSS.

vi)Where the applicant and their parent/guardian refuses to work in partnership with the school or co-operate with the Code of Positive Behaviour.

The list is not exhaustive.

In the first instance the principal, acting on behalf of the board of management, will make a judgement based on the enrolment policy.

APPEALS

Parents/guardians and/or students over 18 years of age may appeal a decision to refuse enrolment. In the first instance an appeal should be made in writing to the Board of Management on Hansfield ETSS, (c/o Secretary to the Board of Management, Barnwell Road, Dublin 15). If the appeal is not upheld at this stage the decision can be further appealed to: The Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998. Such appeals should be in writing and made within 42 days of the notification of such a decision (cf. Circular M48/01.)

Ratified by Board of Management on 3rd April 2017.

Implementation from 10thMay 2017

The Policy will be reviewed in March 2018.

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