Applications for September 2023 are now open until 5 November 2022. 

A copy of the school’s admissions policy is below.

Admissions Policy

Introduction

This Admission Policy complies with the requirements of the Education Act 1998, the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 and the Equal Status Act 2000. In drafting this policy, the board of management of the school has consulted with school staff, the school patron and with parents of children attending the school.

The policy was approved by the school patron, the Archbishop of Dublin, on 12th August 2020. It is published on the school’s website and will be made available in hardcopy, on request, to any person who requests it.

The relevant dates and timelines for St. Mary’s Primary School’s admission process are set out in the school’s annual admission notice which is published annually on the school’s website at least one week before the commencement of the admission process for the school year concerned. This policy must be read in conjunction with the annual admission notice for the school year concerned.

The application form for admission is published on the school’s website and will be made available in hardcopy on request to any person who requests it.

Characteristic spirit and general objectives of the school

St. Mary’s Primary School is under the patronage of the Archbishop of Dublin and is Roman Catholic in ethos. Catholic Ethos in the context of a Catholic primary school means the ethos and characteristic spirit of the Roman Catholic Church, which aims at promoting:

• the full and harmonious development of all aspects of the person of the child, including the intellectual, physical, cultural, moral and spiritual aspects
• a living relationship with God and with other people
• a philosophy of life inspired by belief in God and in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus
• the formation of the children in the Catholic faith

We provide religious education for children in accordance with the doctrines, practices and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church, and/or such ethos and/or characteristic spirit as may be determined or interpreted from time to time by the Irish Episcopal Conference. In accordance with S.15 (2) (b) of the Education Act, 1998 the Board of Management of St. Mary’s Primary School shall uphold, and be accountable to the patron for so upholding, the characteristic spirit of the school as determined by the cultural, educational, moral, religious, social, linguistic and spiritual values and traditions which inform and are characteristic of the objectives and conduct of the school.

The aim of our school is to provide happy and stimulating learning experiences in a safe, secure and supportive environment for our children, taking into account the social, physical, emotional, creative and spiritual well being of each child, at the same time cultivating good habits, respect for each other, for the school and the environment.

We recognise that many of the children in our school come from a variety of faith traditions and we welcome children of all faiths and none, respecting and valuing the diverse beliefs of our community.

Our school is a DEIS Band 1 vertical primary school in inner city Dublin, catering for children typically aged 4-12. Our school community is committed to ensuring equality for all children regarding access to and participation in the school. We respect the diversity of traditions, values, beliefs, languages and ways of life in our community and acknowledge the right of parents/carers to send their children to a school of their choice.

The principal is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of the school, alongside the deputy principal and a team of teachers who have a variety of middle leadership roles and responsibility for different aspects of the curriculum. There is a full-time teacher for every class from Junior Infants to 6th Class and for our special class for children with ASD. Other teachers work as support teachers for children with additional needs, e.g. those with English as an additional language or children with special education needs. These teachers may work alongside the class teachers or take smaller groups or individuals for targeted support teaching.

We have a Home School Community Liaison teacher who works in partnership with families to support good attendance and engagement with school life and to offer help or advice to families who need it. We have several Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) in school to support children with their learning. They support individual children or groups of children in classrooms throughout the school. The school is funded by the Department of Education and follows the national primary curriculum.

This policy aims to ensure that the appropriate procedures are in place to enable the school

• To make decisions on all applications in an open and transparent manner consistent with the ethos, the mission statement of the school and legislative requirements
• To put in place a framework which will ensure effective and productive relations between children, parents, carers and teachers where a child is admitted to the school
• To ensure the school is compliant with its legal obligations as specified in the Education Act 1998, and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act, 2018, the Education Welfare Act 2000 and the Equal Status Act 2000.

Admission Statement

St. Mary’s Primary School will not discriminate in its admission of a child to the school on any of the following:

• (a) the gender ground of the child or the applicant in respect of the child concerned,
• (b) the civil status ground of the child or the applicant in respect of the child concerned,
• (c) the family status ground of the child or the applicant in respect of the child concerned,
• (d) the sexual orientation ground of the child or the applicant in respect of the child concerned,
• (e) the religion ground of the child or the applicant in respect of the child concerned,
• (f) the disability ground of the child or the applicant in respect of the child concerned,
• (g) the ground of race of the child or the applicant in respect of the child concerned,
• (h) the Traveller community ground of the child or the applicant in respect of the child concerned, or
• (i) the ground that the child or the applicant in respect of the child concerned has special educational needs

As per section 61 (3) of the Education Act 1998, ‘civil status ground’, ‘disability ground’, ‘discriminate’, ‘family status ground’, ‘gender ground’, ‘ground of race’, ‘religion ground’, ‘sexual orientation ground’ and ‘Traveller community ground’ shall be construed in accordance with section 3 of the Equal Status Act 2000.

St. Mary’s Primary School is a school whose objective is to provide education in an environment which promotes certain religious values and does not discriminate where it refuses to admit as a child a person who is not Roman Catholic and it is proved that the refusal is essential to maintain the ethos of the school.

The special class attached to St. Mary’s Primary School, with the approval of the Minister for Education and Skills, provides an education exclusively for children with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the school may refuse admission to this class, where the child concerned does not have the specified category of special educational needs provided for in this class.

Category of Special Educational Needs catered for in our Special Class

St. Mary’s Primary School with the approval of the Minister for Education and Skills, has established a class to provide an education exclusively for children with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Our school is inclusive and also welcomes and provides support for children with additional needs in mainstream classes, in conjunction with our local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

Our application form for all children includes a section for parents/carers to share information with us of any additional needs a child might have. Once places have been offered, the school will request a copy of any medical or psychological report or where such a report is not available, will request that the child be assessed as early as possible. This will allow us to assess the level of support the child may require at school and to ensure we are ready to meet the child’s needs.

If necessary, prior to the child starting school, we may apply for additional resources from the National Council for Special Education or the Department of Education to ensure we have adequate support in place to meet the needs of the child as outlined in the psychological and/or medical report. This may include the visiting teacher service, support teacher, special needs assistant, specialised equipment or furniture, transport services etc. We will also invite parents/carers to meet us to discuss a child’s individual needs.

Admission of Children

This school shall admit each child seeking admission except where –

• a) the school is oversubscribed (please see section 6 below for further details)
• b) a parent/carer of a child, when required by the Principal in accordance with section 23(4) of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, fails to confirm in writing that the code of behaviour of the school is acceptable to him or her and that he or she shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with such code by the child

The special class attached to St. Mary’s Primary School provides an education exclusively for children with a diagnosis of ASD and the school may refuse admission to this class, where the child concerned does not have the specified category of special educational needs provided for in this class.

We recommend that children be at least four years of age on or before 30th April of the school commencement year.

Oversubscription

In the event that the school is oversubscribed, the school will, when deciding on applications for admission, apply the following selection criteria in the order listed below to those applications that are received within the timeline for receipt of applications as set out in the school’s annual admission notice:

In the event that applications for Junior Infant class(es) enrolment exceed or are expected to exceed the number of places available, the Board of Management will apply the following criteria:

Priority Criterion

1. Brothers and sisters of children already enrolled in the school and children living within the parish boundary (the eldest child will have priority in this ranking).
2. Children of current staff, including ancillary staff (the eldest child will have priority in this ranking).
3. Children living outside the parish boundary (the eldest child will have priority in this ranking).

In the event that there are two or more children tied for a place or places in any of the selection criteria categories above (the number of applicants exceeds the number of remaining places), priority will be given to children within the particular category, in order of age, starting with the oldest. In the event of two or more students being tied for a place, the oldest student will be given priority. If two applicants have the same date of birth, than a lottery will apply with an independent party present.

If necessary, prior to the child starting school, we may apply for additional resources from the National Council for Special Education or the Department of Education to ensure we have adequate support in place to meet the needs of the child as outlined in the psychological and/or medical report. This may include the visiting teacher service, support teacher, special needs assistant, specialised 5 equipment or furniture, transport services etc. We will also invite parents/carers to meet us to discuss a child’s individual needs.

In the event that applications for ASD Special Class enrolment exceed or are expected to exceed the number of places available, the Board of Management will apply the following criteria:

Priority Criterion

1. Children already enrolled in St. Mary’s Primary School who have a diagnosis of ASD with a recommendation for a special class and are not managing in a mainstream setting.
2. Brothers and sisters of children already enrolled in the school and children living within the parish boundary
3. Children living outside the parish boundary

In the event that there are two or more children tied for a place or places in any of the selection criteria categories above (the number of applicants exceeds the number of remaining places), priority will be given to children within the particular category, in order of age, starting with the oldest.

As a DEIS Band 1 school, the maximum class size is determined by the Government through the annual staffing schedules. Places available in our school are allocated accordingly.

What will not be considered or taken into account

In accordance with section 62(7)(e) of the Education Act, the school will not consider or take into account any of the following in deciding on applications for admission or when placing a child on a waiting list for admission to the school:

• a child’s prior attendance at a pre-school or pre-school service, including naíonraí
• the payment of fees or contributions (howsoever described) to the school
• a child’s academic ability, skills or aptitude other than in relation to admission to a special class insofar as it is necessary in order to ascertain whether or not the child has the category of special educational needs concerned
• the occupation, financial status, academic ability, skills or aptitude of a child’s parents
• a requirement that a child, or his or her parents, attend an interview, open day or other meeting as a condition of admission
• a child’s connection to the school by virtue of a member of his or her family attending or having previously attended the school; other than, the selection criteria based on siblings of a child attending or having attended the school
• the date and time on which an application for admission was received by the school

This is subject to the application being received at any time during the period specified for receiving applications set out in the annual admission notice of the school for the school year concerned

Decisions on applications

All decisions on applications for admission to St. Mary’s Primary School will be based on the following:

• Our school’s admission policy
• The school’s annual admission notice (where applicable)
• The information provided by the applicant in the school’s official application form received during the period specified in our annual admission notice for receiving applications

(Please see below in relation to applications received outside of the admissions period and section below in relation to applications for places in years other than the intake group.)

Selection criteria that are not included in our school admission policy will not be used to make a decision on an application for a place in our school.

Notifying applicants of decisions

Applicants will be informed in writing as to the decision of the school, within the timeline outlined in the annual admissions notice.

If a child is not offered a place in our school, the reasons why they were not offered a place will be communicated in writing to the applicant, including, where applicable, details of the child’s ranking against the selection criteria and details of the child’s place on the waiting list for the school year concerned.

Applicants will be informed of the right to seek a review/right of appeal of the school’s decision (see section below for further details).

Acceptance of an offer of a place by an applicant

In accepting an offer of admission from St. Mary’s Primary School, you must indicate

• whether or not you have accepted an offer of admission for another school or schools. If you have accepted such an offer, you must also provide details of the offer or offers concerned and
• whether or not you have applied for and awaiting confirmation of an offer of admission from another school or schools, and if so, you must provide details of the other school or schools concerned.

Circumstances in which offers may not be made or may be withdrawn

An offer of admission may not be made or may be withdrawn by St. Mary’s Primary School where

• it is established that information contained in the application is false or misleading.
• an applicant fails to confirm acceptance of an offer of admission on or before the date set out in the annual admission notice of the school.
• the parent/carer of a child, when required by the Principal in accordance with section 23(4) of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, fails to confirm in writing that the code of behaviour of the school is acceptable to him or her and that he or she shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with such code by the child; or
• an applicant has failed to comply with the requirements of ‘acceptance of an offer’ as set out above.

Sharing of Data with other schools

Applicants should be aware that section 66(6) of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 allows for the sharing of certain information between schools in order to facilitate the efficient admission of children.

Section 66(6) allows a school to provide a patron or another board of management with a list of the students in relation to whom

• i. an application for admission to the school has been received,
• ii. an offer of admission to the school has been made, or
• iii. an offer of admission to the school has been accepted.

The list may include any or all of the following:

• i. the date on which an application for admission was received by the school
• ii. the date on which an offer of admission was made by the school
• iii. the date on which an offer of admission was accepted by an applicant
• iv. a student’s personal details including his or her name, address, date of birth and personal public service number (within the meaning of section 262 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005).

Waiting list in the event of oversubscription

In the event of there being more applications to the school year concerned than places available, a waiting list of children whose applications for admission to St. Mary’s Primary School were unsuccessful due to the school being oversubscribed will be compiled and will remain valid for the school year in which admission is being sought.

Placement on the waiting list of St. Mary’s Primary School is in the order of priority assigned to the children’ applications after the school has applied the selection criteria in accordance with this admission policy. Applicants whose applications are received after the closing date, outlined in the Annual Admission Notice, will be placed at the end of the waiting list in order of the date of receipt of the application.

Offers of any subsequent places that become available for and during the school year in relation to which admission is being sought will be made to those children on the waiting list, in accordance with the order of priority in relation to which the children have been placed on the list.

Late Applications

All applications for admission received after the closing date as outlined in the annual admission notice will be considered and decided upon in accordance with our school’s admissions policy, the Education Admissions to School Act 2018 and any regulations made under that Act.

Late applicants will be notified of the decision in respect of their application no later than three weeks after the date on which the school received the application. Late applicants will be offered a place if there is place available. In the event that there is no place available, the name of the applicant will be added to the waiting list as set out above.

Procedures for admission of children to other years and during the school year

The procedures of the school in relation to the admission of students who are not already admitted to the school to classes or years other than the school’s intake group are as follows:

Applications for enrolment during the school year will be considered subject to school policy, available space, maximum class sizes and the provision of information concerning attendance and the child’s educational progress, in accordance with the Education Welfare Act 2000.

As a DEIS Band 1 school, the maximum class size is determined by the Government through the annual staffing schedules. Places available in our school are allocated accordingly.

These applications will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis but will normally only be considered for admission on the first day of each new term unless the applicant is newly resident in the area. The procedures of the school in relation to the admission of students who are not already admitted to the school, after the commencement of the school year in which admission is sought, are as follows:

The following criteria will be applied if there is a surplus of applications for available places in classes from Senior Infants to 6th Class.

Priority Criterion

1. Brothers and sisters of children in the school and children living within the parish boundary.
2. Children of current staff, including ancillary staff.
3. Children living outside the parish boundary.

In the event that there are two or more children tied for a place or places in any of the selection criteria categories above (the number of applicants exceeds the number of remaining places), priority will be given to children within the particular category, in order of age, starting with the oldest.

In the event of two or more students being tied for a place, the oldest student will be given priority. If two applicants have the same date of birth, than a lottery will apply with an independent party present.

In the event of there being more applications to the school year concerned than places available, a waiting list of students whose applications for admission to St. Mary’s Primary School were unsuccessful due to the school being oversubscribed will be compiled and will remain valid for the school year in which admission is being sought.

Placement on the waiting list is in the order of priority assigned to the students’ applications after the school has applied the selection criteria in accordance with this admission policy

Once the child is registered, the Principal will send a letter of transfer to the child’s previous school to request any relevant information concerning attendance or the child’s educational progress.

Declaration in relation to the non-charging of fees

The Board of St. Mary’s Primary School or any persons acting on its behalf will not charge fees for or seek payment or contributions (howsoever described) as a condition of an application for admission of a child to the school or the admission or continued enrolment of a child in the school.

Arrangements regarding children not attending religious instruction

The following are the school’s arrangements for children, where the parents/carers who has requested that the child attend the school without attending religious instruction in the school. These arrangements will not result in a reduction in the school day of such children.

A written request should be made to the Principal. A meeting will be arranged with the parent/carer(s) of the child to discuss how the request may be accommodated by the school.

Our school welcomes children of all faiths and none. Children are not expected to attend religious services, church visits or whole-school faith-based events if a parent/carer does not want them to take part. Arrangements will be made for children to continue their learning in another classroom.

Reviews/Appeals

Review of decisions by the Board of Management

The parent/carer of the child, or in the case of a child who has reached the age of 18 years, the child, may request the board to review a decision to refuse admission. Such requests must be made in accordance with Section 29C of the Education Act 1998. The timeline within which such a review must be requested and the other requirements applicable to such reviews are set out in the procedures determined by the Minister under section 29B of the Education Act 1998 which are published on the website of the Department of Education and Skills.

The board will conduct such reviews in accordance with the requirements of the procedures determined under Section 29B and with section 29C of the Education Act 1998.

Note: Where an applicant has been refused admission due to the school being oversubscribed, the applicant must request a review of that decision by the board of management prior to making an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act 1998.

Where an applicant has been refused admission due to a reason other than the school being oversubscribed, the applicant may request a review of that decision by the board of management prior to making an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act 1998.

Right of appeal

Under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, the parent/carer of the child, or in the case of a child who has reached the age of 18 years, the child, may appeal a decision of this school to refuse admission.

An appeal may be made under Section 29 (1)(c)(i) of the Education Act 1998 where the refusal to admit was due to the school being oversubscribed.

An appeal may be made under Section 29 (1)(c)(ii) of the Education Act 1998 where the refusal to admit was due a reason other than the school being oversubscribed.

Where an applicant has been refused admission due to the school being oversubscribed, the applicant must request a review of that decision by the board of management prior to making an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act 1998. (see Review of decisions by the Board of Management)

Where an applicant has been refused admission due to a reason other than the school being oversubscribed, the applicant may request a review of that decision by the board of management prior to making an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act 1998. (see Review of decisions by the Board of Management) Appeals under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 will be considered and determined by an independent appeals committee appointed by the Minister for Education and Skills.

The timeline within which such an appeal must be made and the other requirements applicable to such appeals are set out in the procedures determined by the Minister under section 29B of the Education Act 1998 which are published on the website of the Department of Education and Skills.

Ratification

This policy was ratified by the Board of Management in August 2020 and will be reviewed annually.