The four schools are:
They will be referred to throughout the policy document as the C.A.E.P. schools. The common application and enrolment policy will be referred to as C.A.E.P
This policy has been drawn up by the Boards of the above named schools in consultation with the patron, the teaching staff and parents.
The above schools operate under the Rules for National Schools (1965), The Education Act (1998), The Education Welfare Act (2000), enacted sections of The Education of Persons with Special Education Needs Act (2004), all relevant equality legislation and Department of Education and Skills (DES) Circulars.
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 on 16th 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 the C.A.E.P schools' admission process are set out in each school's annual admission notice which is published annually on each school's website at least one week before the commencement of the admission process for the school year concerned. Information about this will be communicated by the Boards of Management to the school community through appropriate channels e.g:
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.
This policy is set out in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act,
1998 and the Education Welfare Act 2000. The Boards of Managements of all four
stated national schools in St. Peter's Parish, Drogheda trust that by so doing,
parents/guardians will be assisted in relation to enrolment matters.
The four schools in the Common Application Enrolment system are all situated in
St. Peter's Parish Drogheda. The schools are Catholic schools under the patronage
of Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh.
"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 schools model and promote a philosophy of life inspired by belief in God and in Christian values. The Catholic school provides religious education and promotes the formation of the pupils in the Catholic Faith.
General School Information
The four schools of the C.A.E.P support the principles of:
Having regard to
Categories of Special Educational Needs catered for in the school:
The four schools of the CAEP are mainstream schools. They do not have special classes or ASD
classes. Pupils with special educational needs are catered for by mainstream class teachers
with the support of the Special Education team.
Admission of Students
This schools shall admit each student seeking admission except where -
Application/Enrolment Procedures
Children applying to enrol/being enrolled in any of the schools in this common enrolment system must have reached the age of 4 years by 1st September of the year they will commence school.
All offers of enrolment are subject to signed acceptance of the School's Code of Behaviour, a copy of which is available from each school or can be downloaded from each school's website.
Junior Infants Enrolment
Enrolment of children for Junior Infants will take place in line with the annual admission notice for the school year concerned.
Class size for Junior Infants and all classes subject to the CAEP since 2018, will be determined based on overall proportionality from the number of applications received to support the viability of all schools engaged in the CAEP
Parents/Guardians will be advised that they can enrol children in line with the Common Application Enrolment Policy Procedures.
Parents/ Guardians of children who move into the area may apply to enrol children at any time during the school year in any of the schools, subject to any regulations the Department of Education and Skills may lay down under the terms of the Education Welfare Act 2000.
In such cases children will be offered places in whichever school can best accommodate them under the terms of the Common Application Enrolment Procedures. Junior Infants will be accommodated in such circumstances only if they are aged four before the first of September previous to application.
Parents seeking to enrol their children in any of the schools participating in the Common Application and Enrolment System should complete an enrolment application form, enclosing an original birth/adoption certificate and proof of address (a utility bill), and send it to the school of their first choice.
Information to be provided by Parents/Guardians will be as required on the Application Form (see Appendices).
Information to be provided by Parents/Guardians will be as required on the Application Form (see Appendices). regarding applications and procedures are to be found in the Appendices of this policy document.
The completion of an application form or the placement of your child’s name on a list, however early, does not confer an automatic right to a place in the school.
Decision Making
Final decisions in relation to applications for enrolment will be made by the Boards of Management of the schools participating in the Common Application and Enrolment System. An Enrolment Committee (see Appendices), set up by these boards to run this system, will manage the Common Applications and Enrolment Process, on behalf of the Boards of Management, in accordance with the procedures of this Common Applications and Enrolment Policy. It is always envisaged by the Boards of Management that the procedures and criteria set out in this policy document should be adhered to strictly.
Enrolment Procedures
One of the basic principles underpinning the Common Enrolment Procedures is to keep families in the same school while keeping a balance both in pupil and teacher numbers across all schools in the system to ensure the viability of all schools.
In the case where one or other of the schools is unable to accommodate Junior Infants (i.e is oversubscribed) family members are to be offered enrolment in one of the other schools.
Arising from these procedures the Board of each school will apply these criteria in enrolling children, particularly children for Junior Infants.
Enrolment and Selection Criteria for CAEP pupils for Junior Infants and Third Class
Transfer of Pupils from 2nd to 3rd Class
Parents of the pupils in 2nd class, in the amalgamated school in 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 will be asked
to choose whether they want their children to remain in their current school or to transfer to
Presentation Primary School or St. Joseph's C.B.S.
In the event that demand exceeds the number of available places in any school places will be allocated using the same criteria for Junior Infants outlined above.
This process will continue for four years until all schools in the system have completed the transition to becoming vertical schools.
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:
Enrolment and Selection Criteria for CAEP pupils for Junior Infants and Third Class
If the number of applications for enrolment exceeds the number of places available in the school, priority will be decided as follows:
Applications received after the final date for the receipt of applications will be added to the waiting list after on-time applications. These late applications will be ordered according to the date on which each application is received in the school. Two or more such applications received on the same date will be ordered in age order, priority to the oldest. Should places become available for applicants on the waiting list, they will be offered according to the applicant's ranking on the list.
Transfer of Pupils from 2nd to 3rd Class
Parents of the pupils in 2nd class, in the amalgamated school, St. Brigid's & St. Patrick's N.S., in 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 will be asked
to choose whether they want their children to remain in their current school or to transfer to Presentation or St. Josephs.
In the event that demand exceeds the number of available places in any school places will be allocated using the same criteria for Junior Infants and Third Class, outlined above.
This process will continue for four years until all schools in the system have completed the transition to becoming vertical schools.
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 student on a waiting list for admission to the school:
Decisions on applications
All decisions on applications for admission to C.A.E.P. schools will be based on the following:
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 student 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 student's ranking against the selection criteria and details of the student'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 15 below for further details).
Acceptance of an offer of a place by an applicant
In accepting an offer of admission from C.A.E.P schools you must indicate—
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 C.A.E.P. schools where -
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 students. 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 -
The list may include any or all of the following:
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 students whose applications for admission to C.A.E.P school of choice 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 C.A.E.P school of choice. 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.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 students on the waiting list, in accordance with the order of priority in relation to which the students 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 a 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 in Section 10.
Procedures for admission of students to other years and during the school year
Senior Infants to 6th Class
Pupils are enrolled during the school year, (if newly resident in the Parish) provided accommodation is
available, in accordance with the above criteria (Section 2 & 3) and the provisions of this common
enrolment policy. The provisions of this policy state that all schools engaging with Common Application
and Enrolment Policy must support the viability of the other schools named in this policy and no school
named can grow to the detriment of another school named, as per directive from the Department of Education
& Skills (October 2017). Furthermore, the number of enrolments valid on Pupil Online Database POD, for
class intake figures for a particular year, for all schools involved, will be agreed by CAEP principals at
Enrolment meeting and must be maintained for the duration of the CAEP process, unless otherwise agreed by
all schools involved.
Any "waiting list", created prior to September 2021, with names of pupils wishing to enrol in a specific school deemed to be oversubscribed on that year of enrolment, will remain in place for that particular school, until such time as all pupils named on that list have refused an offer of enrolment, in writing for that particular school.
Pupils Transferring/Applying During School Year
Such applications will only be considered for admission on the first day of each new term unless the applicant
is newly resident in the area. These applications are subject to the Common Applications and Enrolment Policy
(please see above), available space, and the provision of information concerning attendance and the child's
educational progress.
Pupils transferring from a school to another school will be kept on roll until written confirmation is received from the new school. Reports etc. will be forwarded following this notification.
Declaration in relation to the non-charging of fees
The board of C.A.E.P. schools. or any persons acting on its behalf will not charge fees for or seek payment or contributions (howsoever described) as a condition of -
Arrangements regarding students not attending religious instruction
The following are the school's arrangements for students, where the parents or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, who has requested that the student attend the school without attending religious instruction in the school. These arrangements will not result in a reduction in the school day of such students:
A written request should be made to the Principal of the school. A meeting will then be arranged with the parent(s) or the student, as the case may be, to discuss how the request may be accommodated by the school.
Reviews/appeals
Review of decisions by the board of Management
The parent of the student, or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, 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.
Right of appeal
Under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, the parent of the student, or in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student, 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.
St. Peter's Parish Primary Schools
Drogheda
Common Application Form 2020/21
Surname:
First Name:
Date of Birth:
Gender:
Nationality:
Parish in which you live:
Address: all correspondence will issue to this address
Previous School/Preschool:
Fathers's / Guardian's Details:
Surname:
First Name:
Address:
Telephone:
Email:
Mothers's / Guardian's Details:
Surname:
First Name:
Address:
Telephone:
Email:
Please state the name of any brothers or sisters currently attending any of the primary schools listed overleaf.
Name:
School:
Name:
School:
Name:
School:
Please provide any other information, which you feel, may be relevant to this application.
Any Other Information
By submitting this application, I/We hereby agree that the applicant student will take part fully in every aspect of the school curriculum and will follow the Code of Behaviour/Anti Bullying Policy of the School. I/We have read and accept the Admission and Enrolment Policies of the relevant schools. Completion of this application and enrolment form does not constitute or guarantee an offer of a place in any of the four schools.
Father's / Guardian's
Signature
Mothers's / Guardian's
Signature
Date:
Date:
Father's / Guardian's Signature
Date:
Mother's / Guardian's Signature
Date:
It is MOST IMPORTANT for parents to indicate on this form 4 schools to which they are applying in descending order of choice. Only those schools identified in order of choice will be empowered to consider your application. If your child is unsuccessful in obtaining the first choice, this will not prejudice his/her chances of obtaining a place in one of the lower choices. By submitting this form a parent acknowledges that failure to identify four choices may result in your child not being offered any school place should the schools applied to be over-subscribed or should your child not meet the criteria in the admissions policies of those schools identified. Forms will be returned if four choices are not filled in. Schools will share the information for your preferences with other schools if relevant
Please return the completed Application Form to the Principal at the Number 1 school of your choice by 12pm on Monday February 1st 2021 Please enclose an A4 sized stamped self-addressed envelope.
St. Joseph's CBS (boys), Sunday Gate, Drogheda
St. Oliver's (co-ed), Ballymakenny Rd, Drogheda
Presentation (girls), Ballymakenny Rd, Drogheda
Please fill in your 1 to 4 choices
Late Applications: Parents/Guardians of applications received after the closing date will be notified in due course after all other applications have been processed
The St. Peter's Parish Primary Schools Common Application System is the process by which the application for enrolment to the participating primary schools is managed.
Which primary schools participate in the system?
The four primary schools participating in the 2020/21 system are as follows:
Presentation National School
St. Joseph's National School
St. Oliver's National School
In order to make an application for the academic year 2021 you must complete the common application form which will be available from all participating primary schools.
When completing the form it is important that you indicate a minimum of three schools to which you are applying in genuine, descending order of choice as failure to do so may result in your child not being offered a school place. Copies of this policy may be accessed by contacting the school or by referring to the school website.
All information provided by you must be to the best of your knowledge, accurate and truthful. It should be noted, that application forms found to have inaccurate or misleading information will be withdrawn from the system and any offer made by a participating primary school, based on the information provided, will be deemed invalid.
The completed application form accompanied by a stamped self-addressed envelope, should be sent to the Principal at the school of your first choice, but in any event, forms must be submitted no later than 12 noon,Monday February 1st 2021. Only one form per child will be permitted by the system.
Changes to order of preferences are allowed providing that they are made prior to the closing date for submission of application forms.
If the school of first preference remains unchanged you should write to the Principal of that school, enclosing the second application form, and informing him/her that you have amended your choices and now wish to proceed with the new/revised application form.
If the school of first preference has changed you should write to the Principal of the school of your original first choice informing him/her that you are withdrawing your application. The new /revised form should then be submitted to the school of first choice.
In the event that we are unable to contact you the application from the earliest submission date will remain on the system. If all forms submitted by you are dated on the same day they will be removed from the system until the end of the process at which time they will be presented for consideration to all schools listed on your form with available capacity.
The closing date/time for the receipt of applications, 12 noon, Monday February 3rd 2020 will be strictly enforced. Please apply on time. Submitting a late application normally means that the application will not be processed until after offers have been made to on-time applicants. This could mean that your child will not get a place in the school you want
Monday, November 16th 2020
Parents invited to apply to enrol through Common Applications and Enrolment System
Monday, 1st February 2021
Closing date for applications to enrol. Applications to be in by 12 noon at school of first choice.
Friday, 12th February 2021
Last date for Parents/Guardians to be informed in writing about success of application
Thursday, February 25th 2021
Final date for parents to accept offer and to register pupil. Acceptance to be in by 12 noon.
Introduction
In December 2013 the five Catholic primary schools in St. Peter's Parish began a consultative process exploring how the future needs of Primary Education in the parish could best be met. With permission from our Patron and the Department of Education, parents, teachers, pupils and members of our school Boards engaged in a wide ranging and consultative process over the following months.
In order to facilitate these preferences, the four primary schools in the present system, St. Patrick's and St. Joseph's CBS and St. Brigid's and Presentation Girls agreed to work together to provide a solution.
In order to ensure the continued viability and development of all schools it was agreed:
The four schools continue to engage in consultation with the education partners and as a result this consultation and analysis of enrolment patterns and with the sanction of the patron and the Department of Education and skills the following decision was taken by the four Boards of Management in response to these wishes:
Secondary Schools
This reconfiguration of the primary school system in St. Peter's Parish will not interfere with parents ability to choose a secondary school of their choice.
Scoil Aonghusa and St. Ita's Special schools
These schools are also part of Catholic educational provision in St. Peter's parish. It was agreed that these schools would not form part of the Common Application and Enrolment System and would continue to enrol pupils as they have done heretofore, as their catchment area extends beyond St. Peter's parish boundaries.
St. Peter's Parish North Drogheda Forum
To enable full co-operation and communication between all the Catholic schools serving St. Peter's Parish in North Drogheda a FORUM, enabling representatives from all seven schools to meet regularly, was established. This Forum will also be attended by representatives of St. Peter's Parish Pastoral Council. This will enable input by the wider Catholic community
The Common Applications and Enrolment System will be administered in accordance with the Common Applications and Enrolment Policy which will be common to all four schools.
The details of the new application system will be communicated to all parents whose children are attending the schools when the new system is initiated and to all parents in St. Peter's parish. Implications of the new system for parents will be explained in a series of meeting for parents, to be arranged.
The new Application Form, Explanatory Notes, and the Timeline for all steps in the application and enrolment process will be also made available along with the new Common Applications and Enrolment Policy which will guide the whole process of applying to primary schools in the parish. See Appendix 1 for Application Form and Appendix 2 for Application notes. Appendix 3 outlines the relevant dates and times.