School Mission and Ethos

Ballinteer Community School is a co-educational school for boys and girls in the Ballinteer area.

Ballinteer Community School is committed to providing quality education to its students. The school is dedicated to imparting to them strong moral values, a love of learning, concern for others and the skills necessary to lead purposeful and meaningful lives in their communities.

The ethos of the school is Christian and is nurtured in an inclusive way so that students of all religious traditions have a strong conviction of Faith and the intellectual curiosity and religious commitment to develop and deepen their knowledge of it.

Phone: (01) 2988195
Fax: (01) 2980642

Email: admin@ballinteercs.ie
Web page: http://www.ballinteercs.ie

1 Objectives

1.1 Ballinteer Community School is established with the object of providing a comprehensive system of post primary education open to all the children of the community, combining instruction in academic and practical subjects and ongoing education for persons living at or near Ballinteer in the County of Dublin and generally for the purpose of contributing towards the spiritual, moral, mental and physical well-being and development of the said Community. (Deed of Trust: Second schedule 2, Articles of Management).

2 Programmes

2.1 As the object of the school is to provide a comprehensive system of post primary education, the school is open to all prospective students in the area of Ballinteer who have completed a recognised primary programme and who intend and are capable of pursuing a recognised nationally validated post primary programme leading to Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate including Leaving Certificate Applied. The range of subjects and courses will depend on resources made available by the Department of Education & Science. The post primary programme does not include apprentice or vocational type courses.

2.2 In the enrolment of a student the Board will take into account the safety and rights of all relevant persons subject to the functions of the Minister pursuant to section 7(1) of the Education Act 1998 and the terms of the policies of the Board.

3 The Rights of Children and Parents

3.1 Ballinteer Community School acknowledges the rights of all children including those who have a disability or who have other special educational needs as they relate to education pursuant to the Education Act 1998 Section 6(a) and subject to the function of the Minister pursuant to section 7(1) of the Education Act 1998.

3.2 Ballinteer Community School acknowledges its duty to promote equality of access to and participation in education pursuant to Section 6(c) and subject to the functions of the Minister pursuant to Section 7 of the Education Act 1998.

3.3 Ballinteer Community School acknowledges the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents’ choice having regard to the rights and statutory /legal duties of the Board and the effective use of resources pursuant to the Education Act 1998 Section 6(e).

3.4 Ballinteer Community School acknowledges its statutory obligations under the Equal Status Act 2000 as it applies to educational establishments.

4 Priority Placement (Excluding students enrolling in the Special Needs Unit)

4.1 Places will be allocated through the enrolment process on a first come first served basis with priority being given to

? students living within the catchment area (see Appendix 3)
? students attending local schools
? siblings of students already in attendance at Ballinteer Community School
? students from outside the catchment area and attending local schools.
? students from outside the catchment area and attending other schools in South Dublin according to availability of places on a defined waiting list. (see 4.3)

4.2 The number of places offered each year will conform to the capacity of the school Enrolment will not exceed 100 students per year group but a lower number may be determined each year by the Board of Management so that curricular provision will not be compromised.

4.3 If the school is oversubscribed on the final date for receipt of enrolment applications a waiting list will be established and students will be enrolled from that list as appropriate places become available.

4.4 The Board shall issue a decision on the application within 21 days of the closing date for enrolment to the parent(s) of a student or a student who has reached 18 years of age or if the application is made later than that date 21 days from the submission of the application.

5 General Provisions

5.1 Neither the issue of the application form nor its submission guarantees an applicant a place in this school.

5.2 In certain circumstances the school may refuse admission if it cannot provide an appropriate education or if the student's behaviour may constitute a threat to the Health, Safety or Education of other students (see 13.4).
5.3 The Enrolment Officer on enrolment must be informed of any specific learning, emotional, medical or behavioural and disciplinary problems of any applicant and may if deemed necessary, requested further information including educational, psychological and medical reports.

5.4 An offer of enrolment may be revoked if the school authorities become aware of vital or significant information relating to the applicant’s academic history, health, behaviour and/or any other matter being withheld.

5.5 The Enrolment Officer will have established the status of Exemptions from the study of Irish in accordance with Circular Letter M 10/94.
(Note: all such exemptions must be processed by the primary school authorities prior to enrolment).

5.6 Prospective students will be informed in writing of the date of Enrolment Assessment.

5.7 Class placement will be based on the results of the Enrolment Assessments following consultation with primary teachers.

6 Enrolment of a student registered in another recognised second level school.
6.1 Before admission of a student registered in another recognised second level school the following procedures must be followed:

(a) The parent(s) of the student (or the student who is 18 years of age or over) must submit an application on the designated form.

(b) The student accompanied by a parent must attend the school for interview

(c) The Principal will inform the parent(s) whether a class place is available and whether the student’s subjects are provided in the school.

(d) If the school is satisfied that the applicant is in bona fide and, mindful of its statutory obligations and the rights of students already attending Ballinteer Community then a conditional place on the course applied for may be offered to the applicant. A written copy of the conditions will be given to the parents.

(e) A signed undertaking from parents(s) and students to comply with the Code of Behaviour will be required. Conditions may be attached to the enrolment which must be accepted before placement is offered.

(f) The Principal of the school which the student is attending will be notified in writing of the admission.

6.2 Where an applicant has been expelled or excluded from another school the school will not consider itself obliged to enrol this student. The parent(s) will be advised of their right to appeal the decision of the previous school. The Board will take into consideration the educational rights of other students in the school as well as issues relating to Health & Safety.

6.3 If the school decides to admit the student it will require a signed undertaking from parent(s) and student to comply with the Code of Behaviour. Conditions may be attached to the enrolment which must be accepted before placement is offered.

Note:

6.4 When a student has voluntarily left Ballinteer Community School for a period of more than three calendar months during the school year without adequate cause and reapplies for admission the school will consider all relevant circumstances including the student’s previous record in the school, class size and commitment to study. Specific commitments in writing from the student and/or parent(s) may be required.

7 Code of Behaviour

7.1 In accordance with the Education (Welfare) Act, Section 23 before registering a child as a student at the school, the parents of the child will be provided with a copy of the Code of Behaviour and may if requested, as a condition of so registering such child, confirm in writing that the Code of Behaviour so provided is acceptable to them and that they will make all reasonable efforts to ensure their child’s compliance with such Code.

7.2 On enrolment parent(s) on behalf of the student will accept the school’s uniform policy including its stipulation that prohibits the wearing of clothing which prohibits a full facial view which would impede proper communication between teacher and student and would have Health & Safety implications.

7.3 Parents will support the ethos, aims and objectives of the school and will encourage their children to promote and uphold them as a student.

8 Enrolment

8.1 First Year enrolment at Ballinteer Community School takes place at the beginning of each year. In the process of enrolment the Enrolment Officer will contact local schools, issue enrolment forms to prospective students and will confer with sixth class teachers.

8.2 Students not attending local schools may obtain enrolment forms by application from the General Office or from the website www.ballinteercs.ie.
Enrolment into First Year will be processed, generally, through their primary schools in accordance with the criteria outlined in paragraph 4.1.

8.3 A closing date will be published each year on the school’s website and in local primary schools.

8.4 Each prospective student will be obliged to attend the school for assessment on a date determined by the school authorities following appropriate consultation.

8.5 On enrolment the following information will be supplied
? Name, age and address of the student and photograph
? Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) of the student
? Address(es) of the parent(s)
? Telephone numbers (including emergency numbers) and including mobile phone numbers
? Name(s), address(es) and phone number(s) of the student’s previous school(s)
? Religion of the student
? Relevant information on family circumstances of the student as well as details on custody and access
? Relevant psychological, therapy, medical and educational reports

8.6 The parent of a child who has made an application shall on enrolment provide the school with all required educational, medical and other records.

8.7 A student from abroad may be enrolled if there is an appropriate class place and if other relevant criteria are observed.

8.8 Any student intending on enrolling into First Year after the general assessment may enrol in accordance with the criteria outlined in paragraph 4.1 provided
? the school can provide an education appropriate to his/her ability and needs
? there is a class vacancy
? the subjects required are available
? all relevant documentation is supplied
? the normal commitments are given on the Code of Behaviour and school ethos

9 General

9.1 Prospective students will be informed in writing of the date of Enrolment Assessment.

9.2 Initial class placement will be based on the results of the Enrolment Assessments.

10 Students with Physical Disabilities

10.1 Ballinteer Community School caters for students with certain physical disabilities. These include Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida and progressive disabilities such as Muscular Dystrophy and Friedrich's Ataxia. A Unit for students with Physical Disabilities is established in the school for that purpose.

10.2 A prospective student with physical disabilities may be enrolled into the Physical Disabilities Unit provided that s/he

? can benefit from an inclusive education
? can pursue Junior/Leaving Certificate programmes
? has the stamina to survive class periods
? can provide the school with all relevant and required documentation and reports and information of access and personal care in advance.
? resides in the area of South Dublin.

and provided that the school can recruit appropriate personnel such as a Special Needs Assistant, Care Staff and Nursing Aides et al and that the Department of Education & Science and National Council for Special Education (NCSE) make adequate teaching and other resources available.

The degree/severity of disability, cognitive ability, potential for integration and parent support and backup as well as availability of adequate supplementary resources and personnel will be criteria for entry to the Unit.

10.3 Prospective entrants may be assessed, if necessary, by an Advisory Admissions Committee.

10.4 This committee shall consist of:
? the Resource Teacher of the Unit
? the Principal
? the Deputy Principal
? The Department of Education & Science (NEPS) psychologist
? any other person(s) deemed relevant and necessary by the school authorities

10.5 The committee may in cases of doubt, grant temporary enrolment to an applicant. In such instances the terms of temporary enrolment should be clearly stated and accepted on both sides.

10.6 Before temporary enrolment is granted, a prior commitment for readmission to the previous school must be obtained from the primary school. Parents will have agreed with such readmission before temporary enrolment is granted.

10.7 Terms of enrolment include
? the period of time for probation
? the conditions being tested
? an agreed process for validation/verification of satisfaction of these conditions
? an explicit agreement to terminate enrolment in the event of these conditions not being fulfilled.

10.8 Before admission of such child, the parents will confirm in writing if necessary that the Code of Behaviour of the school is acceptable to them and that they shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with such code by the child.

10.9 Any decision refusing enrolment may be appealed to the Board of Management.

10.10 The general provisions outlined in Section 8 shall apply

11 Students with other Special Educational Needs (Low Incidence and High Incidence)

11.1 Ballinteer Community School will consider applications in accordance with the criteria outlined in paragraph 4.1 on behalf of students who have Special Educational Needs other than those that can be catered for by the Unit for students with Physical Disabilities.

11.2 Applications for enrolment will be made in the normal way.

11.3 Parents will make all relevant reports and documentation available to the school on enrolment. The Enrolment Officer will consult with the principal and/or teacher of the relevant primary school and may seek consultation with other professionals as deemed appropriate.

11.4 The school will use its available resources to identify and provide for the special educational needs of such students so that they can benefit from an education that is appropriate to their abilities and needs.

11.5 The Board will make application where necessary to the Department of Education & Science, to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and any council or agency with statutory responsibilities for students with educational needs for additional and specific support so that appropriate education can be provided.

11.6 The level of support depends on whether or not NCSE will provide Resource Hours, a Special Needs Assistant and/or Assistive Technology.

11.7 Before making an offer of enrolment the Principal, Enrolment Officer or other designated person will fully inform the parents of the range and limitations of the educational provision available.

11.8 A child with special educational needs shall be educated in an inclusive environment with children who do not have such needs unless the nature or degree of those needs of the child is such that to do so would be inconsistent with
a) the best interest of the child as determined in accordance with any assessment carried out in accordance with legislation or
b) the effective provision of education for children with whom the child is to be educated.

11.9 The general provisions outlined in Section 8 shall apply.

12 Extraordinary Requirements

12.1 If the provision of an appropriate education to any child requires the establishment of new administrative or teaching structures or the reorganisation of the delivery of the educational services, the Principal will so inform the Board.

12.2 The Board will consider whether, in the overall interests of the school and including the viability of the units already established, such structures should be established.
12.3 The Board will communicate its decision in writing to the parents of the child in question.

12.4 If a decision is taken to establish new structures for the educational needs of a particular child, the Principal will, in consultation with teachers make an audit of resource requirements for the Board. The Educational Welfare Officer, Special Education Needs Organiser, the local representative of NEPS (National Educational Psychological Service Agency), the relevant Department of Education & Science local inspectors, any statutory agency with responsibility for students with special educational needs and parents will be involved in the consultation process. The Board will decide on the availability of these resource requirements as a condition of enrolment.

12.5 If the decision of the Board is negative, the National Council for Special Education, the Department of Education & Science, local inspectors and the Educational Welfare Officer and any relevant statutory agency will be accordingly advised. The parents will be informed in writing of the reasons for the Board's decision in accordance with the Education (Welfare) Act and the Education Act and of the provisions to appeal available to them.

13 General

13.1 The Board of Management shall make every effort to comply with legislative requirements in its admission processes so that it can ensure that each student admitted can avail of an education appropriate to his/her needs and abilities.

13.2 By enrolling their son/daughter(s) in Ballinteer Community School parents commit themselves to respecting and supporting the ethos.

13.3 Each student is expected to take a full and active part in the life of the school.

13.4 In exceptional cases the Board of Management reserves the right to refuse to enrol a student where that student has special needs which this school cannot meet or where s/he poses an unacceptable risk to her/himself or other students and/or staff.

13.5 When admission to the school is refused the parent(s) and child (or a student who is over 18 years of age) shall be informed of the appeals procedure in accordance with the Education Act 1998 and the Education (Welfare) Act 2000.

13.6 This Admissions Policy may be updated from time to time. Any subsequent changes will supersede any previous versions of the Policy.

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Appendix 1

The term parent includes a foster parent, a guardian appointed under the Guardianship & Children’s Acts, 1964 – 1997 or any other person acting in loco parentis who has a child in his or her care subject to any statutory power or order of a court and, in the case of a child who has been adopted under the Adoption Acts 1952 – 1998 or, where the child has been adopted outside the State, means the adopter or adopters or the surviving adopter.

Appendix 2

The Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) is issued to each child from the Department of Social & Family Affairs and is the student’s ID.

Appendix 3
Catchment Area of Ballinteer Community School

West: From the intersection of Rathfarnham Road with the Dodder River up the Ballyboden Road and along Stocking Lane.

North: Dodder Road/Rathfarnham Road intersection to Dundrum Road

East: Dundrum Road/Dodder Road intersection up Ballinteer Road including Clonlea, Wood Park, Blackglen Road and residences along the Enniskerry Road.

Appendix 4
Local schools are those recognised primary schools within the catchment area as
defined in Appendix 3