Ratified22 September2015

Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School

Admissions Policy (Revised)

INTRODUCTION

Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School, Waterford, is a Catholic voluntary secondary school for girls only.

SECTION A – ETHOS

Mercy Philosophy of Education

Inspired by the vision of Catherine McAuley, Mercy education is committed to holistic development and to the achievement of the full potential of each student, particularly those who are disadvantaged or marginalized. It is a process informed and influenced by the teaching and example of Jesus Christ and is conducted in an atmosphere of care, respect and joy. Mercy education is committed to ongoing whole-school development in collaboration and partnership with the Board of Management, Staff, Parents and the wider community.

We aim to provide a secure and caring environment which promotes effort, achievement and the enjoyment of learning, where students develop self-esteem, responsibility and self-management skills in an atmosphere of respect and mutual support, inspired by our Catholic tradition.

Mission Statement

To educate our students to achieve their full potential in an inclusive and Christian environment

Vision

  • To promote a holistic development of all members of the school community
  • To promote excellence in Teaching and Learning
  • To show respect, care and compassion for every member of the school community
  • To share in the ongoing search for a more loving, just and peaceful world

SECTION B – UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES

For all girls who seek admission to Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School, the school supports the principles of inclusiveness, equality of access and participation, parental choice in relation to enrolments and respect for diversity of traditions, values, beliefs, languages and ways of life in society. Thus school welcomes the inclusion of all girls, including those with special education needs.

These principles are supported within the context and parameters of the Department of Education and Skills (DES) regulations and programmes, the rights of the Trustees as set out in the Education Act 1998, the Religious and Educational Philosophy of the Sisters of Mercy, the Education Welfare Act 2000, the Equal Status Act 2000, Education of Persons with Special Education Needs Act 2004 and the funding and resources available.

School Resources

The financial and teaching resources of the school are provided by a combination of: DES grants and teacher allocations, school charges, voluntary contributions and fund raising. Implementation of the school plan and school policy must have due regard to resources and funding available. The school operates within the regulations laid down by the Department of Education and Skills. The school follows the curricular programmes prescribed by the Department of Education and Skills, which may be amended from time to time, in accordance with Sections 9 and 30 of the Education Act 1998.

SECTION C – SCOPE, RATIONALE AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK

Scope

This document sets out the policy of Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School in respect of enrolments to the school in the following circumstances:

  • Procedures for the enrolment of students transferring from a primary school
  • Procedures for the enrolment of students transferring from other second-level schools
  • Procedures for the enrolment of repeat Leaving Certificate students
  • Procedures for admission to Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme
  • Procedures for admission to Leaving Certificate Applied
  • Procedures for admission to Transition Year Programme

This policy should be read in conjunction with the school’s aims and policies which are available from the school office or may be viewed on the school website -

SECTION D

1. SCHOOL DETAILS

Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School is a voluntary Catholic girls-only secondary school under the trusteeship of the Mercy Sisters, grant-aided by Department of Education and Skills.

Management

Board of Management

A Board of Management, appointed by the Trustees, is responsible for the management of Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School, in accordance with the Articles of Management for Catholic Secondary Schools.

Parent and student organizations

Parents’ Association

Students’ Council

Meitheal Programme

Teaching Resources & Curriculum

There are approx. 40 teachers employed by Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School. This includes Principal, DeputyPrincipal, Special Educational Needs (SEN) teachers and Guidance Counsellor.

The number and composition of the teaching staff may alter as a consequence of changes in teacher allocations as determined by DES.

Educational Programmes and Subjects

Junior Cycle

Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School prepares students for the Junior Certificate Examination.

Junior Certificate Subjects

IrishFrench

EnglishGerman

Mathematics Science

History Art

GeographyTechnical Graphics

Religious EducationMusic

CSPEHome Economics

SPHEBusiness Studies

Physical Education

Core and Optional Subjects

Some subjects are offered as optional ones, as determined by the Board of Management.

Senior Cycle

Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School offers the following programmes at Senior Cycle:

Transition Year Programme (Optional); Leaving Certificate (Established); Leaving Certificate Applied and Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme.

Transition Year (Optional)

The Transition Year offers a broad social, personal and vocational education including career opportunities and skills for life. Work experience is an integral part of this course. Students also set up and run an enterprising Mini-Company and learn job related skills.

Leaving Certificate (Established)

Core subjects:Optional subjects:

IrishAccounting

EnglishBusiness

MathematicsArt

Religious Education(non-exam)Music

Physical EducationDesign & Communication Graphics

Career GuidanceHome Economics (S&S)

Religious Education(as exam subject)

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

French

German

History

Geography

Economics

Provision of subjects

The availability of any of the above subjects at Junior Certificate or Leaving Certificate in Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School is dependent on the following:

  • The provision of staff by the Department of Education and Skills
  • The provision of financial resources by the Department of Education and Skills
  • A sufficient number of students to make the availability of a subject viable in terms of allocation of staff and resources by the Board of Management
  • The Board of Management may, in certain circumstances, permit the provision of a programme with fewer students than the required minimum.

The provision of any subject cannot be automatically guaranteed in any school year.

Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP)

The primary goal of the LCVP is to prepare young people for adult life by ensuring that they are educated in the broadest sense, with an ability to cope and thrive in an environment of rapid change. Participants in the programme are encouraged to develop skills and competencies fundamental to both academic and vocational success.

The LCVP combines the academic strengths of the Leaving Certificate (Established) with a new and dynamic focus on self-directed learning, innovation and enterprise. This two-year programme is part of an expanded provision that aims to cater for the diversity of participants’ needs at senior cycle.

Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA)

The main aim of the Leaving Certificate Applied is to prepare participants for transition from the world of school to that of adult and working life. The programme

  • Has as a primary objective the development of the participants’ literacy and numeracy skills
  • Places a premium on the personal and social development of participants
  • Provides opportunities to develop the participants’ processes of self-evaluation and reflection
  • Encourages strong community links to complement the school or centre as a learning site
  • Promotes the use of a broad range of teaching methodologies and participant-centred learning
  • Provides access to further education and training.

Provision of Programmes

The availability of Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme, Leaving Certificate Applied Programme and Transition Year Programme in Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School is dependent on the following:

  • The provision of staff by the Department of Education and Skills
  • The provision of financial resources by the Department of Education and Skills
  • A sufficient number of successful student applicants to make the availability of a programme viable in terms of allocation of staff and resources by the Board of Management
  • In the case of Leaving Certificate Applied, not less than 8 students in a class shall be the minimum number to ensure the availability of the programme
  • In the case of Transition Year Programme, not less than 24 students in a class shall be the minimum number to ensure availability of the programme
  • The Board of Management may, in certain circumstances, permit the provision of a programme with fewer students than the required minimum.

The provision of any programme cannot be automatically guaranteed in any school year.

Special Educational Needs

The Board of Management accepts girls with special educational needs. The allocation of Special Educational Needs places is dependent on appropriate resources being available. In order to assess and provide for the needs of these students, the BOM requires the permission of parents to access their daughter’s records from primary school/Individual Educational Programme, Medical/Psychological reports etc., well in advance of entry to the school. The school will then apply to the Department of Education and Skills for the resources to support these students.

In the absence of recent relevant reports the Board shall request NEPS (National Educational Psychological Services) to organise an immediate assessment and to recommend necessary resources.

Having gathered all the relevant information, the Board will assess how and if the needs of each individual case can be met.

If further resources are required, the Board shall request the Department of Education and Skills to provide such resources.

2. PROCEDURES

Application Procedures

Procedures for the enrolment of students transferring from a primary school

Applications for enrolment by girls must be made on the official application form in October/Novemberannually. Late applications are accepted subject to availability of places.

Pertinent information will be communicated to all Parents/Guardians concerning meetings and date of assessment test.

Decision Making Process

Decisions made in relation to enrolment are made by the Board of Management in accordance with school policy.

Department of Education and Skills Rules: To be eligible for admission to the school a girl must have reached 12 years of age on 1st January in the calendar year following the girl’s entry into the school.

Decisions will be notified to parents within 21 days of the closing date for completed application forms for their daughters and receipt of any other relevant information requested e.g. psychological assessments.

The Board shall have regard for any relevant Department of Education and Skills provisions re class size, staffing provisions and/or any other relevant requirements concerning accommodation, such as physical space or health and welfare of girls.

Allocation of places: In the event of demand for places being greater than the number of available places, priority will be given to pupils of local feeder schools and to sisters of present and past pupils.

Parents have the right to appeal a refusal by the Board to enrol afemale student (Section 20 Education Act 1998).

Code of Conduct

The Board of Management requires parents/guardians to sign and return the School’s Code of Behaviour as a condition of enrolment of their daughter.

Procedures for the enrolment of students transferring from other second-level schools

Female pupils may transfer into the school subject to:

  • The Admissions Policy of Our Lady of Secondary School, Waterford.
  • Completion of the relevant school application form.
  • The school being satisfied with the reasons for the transfer.

Information will be requested in writing from the student’s former/present school concerning attendance, behaviour, educational progress, disabilities and special needs, etc. Recent school reports must also be submitted.

  • The Mercy School regarding the move to be in the best interests of the student.
  • Availability of places in the relevant subjects.
  • Consultation with the Educational Welfare Officer if appropriate.

Code of Conduct

The Board of Management requires parents/guardians to sign and return the School’s Code of Behaviour as a condition of enrolment of their daughter.

Procedures for the enrolment of repeat Leaving Certificate students

It is the policy of the school to welcome girls who wish to repeat Leaving Certificate subject to the following:

  • The Admissions Policy of Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School, Waterford.
  • Completion of the relevant school application form, to be presented to the school office not later than 31st August.
  • A recent school report to accompany the application in respect of applicants from schools other than Our Lady of Mercy, Waterford.
  • Availability of places in the relevant subjects.
  • All subject areas which require a compulsory two year project will not be facilitated/accommodated in that regard.

Code of Conduct

The Board of Management requires parents/guardians to sign and return the School’s Code of Behaviour as a condition of enrolment of their daughter.

Right of Board to Refuse

The Board of Management reserves the right to refuse an application for enrolment to any student in exceptional circumstances. Such an exceptional case could arise where either:

  1. In the opinion of the Board of Management, a student poses an unacceptable risk to other students, to school staff or to school property or
  1. A student has special educational needs such that, even with additional resources available from the Department of Education and Skills, the school cannot meet such needs and/or provide the student with an appropriate education.

Procedures for admission to Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme

Students will be admitted to the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme subject to their satisfying the requirements of the Department of Education and Skills.

Leaving Certificate Applied and Transition Year Programme

The Leaving Certificate Applied Programme and the Transition Year Programme require a very high degree of cooperation from students. Any student with a record of persistent misbehaviour which has resulted in the disruption of classes and prevented effective teaching and learning will not be admitted to Leaving Certificate Applied or Transition Year Programme.

A student who is accepted on one of these programmes but whose subsequent behaviour disrupts the effective management of the programme will be disqualified from participation in the relevant programme.

Procedures for admission to Leaving Certificate Applied

A selection process operates in relation to admission to Leaving Certificate Applied. This is to ensure that only students who will benefit from the course are admitted. The selection process is as follows:

  • Interested students must complete a detailed application form. This form seeks to ascertain the reasons for the applicant’s interest in the course and explains the requirements demanded of all LCA students.
  • The LCA Class Tutor will consult with teachers who have taught or have knowledge of the applicants to ascertain information regarding the suitability of applicants for the course and their view as to the benefit which each applicant will derive from her participation on the course. Particular inquiries will be made in relation to the behaviour and discipline records of all applicants.
  • All applicants will be interviewed. The interview panel will be composed of an LCA Class Tutor and the Principal (or his/her nominee) or the Deputy Principal (or his/her nominee).
  • An applicant will be offered a place on the course if the interview panel is satisfied that she is likely to benefit from it. The interview panel will arrive at its determination having due regard to the following:
  • The application form
  • Information provided by teachers regarding the suitability of the applicant for the course
  • The applicant’s performance at the interview, with particular reference to her understanding of the nature of the course and the reasons for her application.
  • The applicant’s behaviour and discipline records.
  • The applicant’s willingness to accept all the conditions, requirements and rules governing the course and to sign a form of agreement signifying acceptance of same.

Procedures for admission to Transition Year Programme

Interested students are invited to apply for admission to the Transition Year Programme. The application process has three objectives:

  1. To encourage self-reflection by applicants in relation to their motives and suitability for TYP.
  2. To allow teachers offer guidance and advice to student applicants
  3. To emphasise to applicants that TYP is a course with particular standards which make demands of students and require serious commitment from them.

The TYP coordinator will consult with teachers who have taught or have knowledge of the applicants to ascertain information regarding the suitability of applicants for the course. Particular inquires will be made in relation to the applicant’s

  • Self-motivation
  • Self-discipline
  • Capacity for self-directed learning
  • Capacity to work with students
  • Behaviour and discipline records

All applicants will be interviewed. The interview panel will be composed of the TYP coordinator and the Principal (or his/her nominee) or the Deputy Principal (or his/her nominee).

The applicant will be offered a place on the course if the interview panel is satisfied that she is likely to benefit from it. The interview panel will arrive at its determination having due regard to the following:

  1. The application form
  2. The applicant’s performance at the interview, with particular reference to her understanding of the nature of the course and the reasons for her application.
  3. The applicant’s performance at the interview, with particular reference to her showing some indication of possessing the ability to self-motivate, exercise self-discipline, work with other students and engage in self-directed learning.
  4. The applicant’s behaviour and discipline records.
  5. The applicant’s willingness to accept all the conditions, requirements and rules governing the course and to sign a form of agreement signifying acceptance of same.

In the event that there are more qualified applicants than places available on the Transition Year Programme then the Board of Management will determine a selection process.

Transfer from Programme

Once a student is accepted on the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme and the Transition Year Programme it is expected that she will complete the relevant programme. Transfer to another programme will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and will only be permitted by the Principal having due regard to the following: