This enrolment policy is being set out in accordance with the provisions of the Education Act (1998). The Board of Management trusts that by so doing,parents will be assisted in relation to enrolment matters. The chairperson of the Board of Management, Fr.Tommy Wade, S.M.A. House, Blackrock Rd.Cork ( 021/4293325 ) and the Principal teacher, Mr. Denis O’Sullivan (021/4293608), will be happy to clarify any further matters arising from the policy.

School Name: Ballintemple National School

School Address: Crab Lane, Ballintemple, Cork

Telephone No: 021/4293608. E-mail: oifig@ballintemplens.ie

Denominational Character: Mainstream mixed Catholic School

Name of Patron: Bishop John Buckley D.D.

Ballintemple N.S. is a nine-teacher school (including Principal). Other teaching staff members include a Special Education Teacher and a Resource Teacher.

Ballintemple N.S. is a co-educational school of 211 pupils (Sept 2007). All classes are mixed, single-streamed classes. A full range of classes are taught from Junior Infants to Sixth Class.

The school depends on the grants and teacher resources provided by the Department of Education and Science and it operates within the regulations laid down, from time to time, by the Department. School policy has regard to the resources and funding available.

The school follows the curricular programmes prescribed by the Department of Education and Science.

Within the context and parameters of Department regulations and programmes, the rights of the patron as set out in the Education Act (1998), and the funding and resources available, the school supports the principles of:

The school operates from 8.50am – 2.30pm.

Parents of children who wish to be considered for enrolment are required to inform the school, by completing the School Enrolment form and returning it to the school, before December 1^st of the year prior to enrolment.

The School Enrolment Form is available from the school office or may be downloaded from the school website www.ballintemplens.ie

Certain information will be required when children are being enrolled. The following information is required by the School Enrolment Form:

Parents are asked to note that completion of an enrolment form does not guarantee placement.

Decisions in relation to applications for enrolment are made by the Board of Management in accordance with school policy. The Board meet during the first school term to ratify the Junior Infant intake for the following year.

The Principal will bring applications for all other classes to the Board’s attention during the course of the school year before any decision regarding placement is taken.

The Board will have regard for relevant Department of Education and Science guidelines in relation to class size and staffing provisions and/or any other relevant requirements concerning accommodation, including physical space and the health and welfare of children.

The Board is bound by the Department of Education and Science’s Rules for National Schools which provides that pupils may only be enrolled from the age of 4 years and upwards.

In the event that applications for enrolment exceed /are expected to exceed the number of places available, the following decision making process will apply ( criteria are listed in order of priority):

As a general rule,pupils may only be enrolled in the school on September 1^st. However an exception may be made to the rule if a pupil relocates to the Parish during the course of the school year and seeks placement at the school. The Board will deliberate on all such requests as they arise.

In relation to applications for the enrolment of children with needs, the Board of Management will request a copy of the child’s medical and/or psychological report or,where such a report is not available, will request that the child be assessed immediately. The purpose of the assessment report is to assist the school in establishing the educational and training needs of the child relevant to his/her disability or special needs and to profile the support services required.

Following receipt of the report, the Board will assess how the school can meet the needs specified in the report. Where the Board deems that further resources are required, it will, prior to enrolment, request the Department of Education and Science to provide the resources required to meet the needs of the child as outlined in the psychological and/or medical report. These resources may include,for example, access to or the provision of any or a combination of the following: visiting teacher service, resource teacher for special needs, special needs assistant, specialised equipment or furniture etc.

The school Principal will meet with the parents of the child to discuss the child’s needs and the school’s suitability or capability in meeting those needs. Where necessary, a full case conference involving all parties will be held, which may include parents, Principal, class teacher, learning support teacher, special class teacher, resource teacher for special needs or psychologist, as appropriate.

It may be necessary for the Board of Management to defer enrolment of a particular child pending:

Pupils may transfer to the school at any time, subject to school policy, available space and in some cases, the approval of the Department of Education and Science. It is a requirement of the Board of Management that information concerning attendance and the child’s educational progress be communicated between the previous school and Ballintemple N.S. before any decision is arrived at in relation to placement.

A copy of the school’s Code of Behaviour forms a central part of the school’s Enrolment Policy . Acceptance of same is implicit in relation to enrolment.

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