Context

Our school is a Vocational School and as such supports the principle of equality for all students regarding access to and participation in the school.  The school respects the diversity of traditions, values, beliefs, languages and ways of life in society.  The school respects the right of parents to send their children to a school of the parents’ choice, subject to the resources available to the school including classroom accommodation, class size, teaching resources and financial resources and subject to the capacity of the school to provide for the needs of those who apply for admission.  Where the school lacks the necessary resources to meet the needs of any applicant or students, it will make every effort to secure those resources – where the resources cannot be secured the school may refuse admission.  The school is managed by a Board of Management which operates under the auspices of Mayo/Sligo/Letrim ETB.  The school has an active Parents’ Association and Student Council.

Board Members

1. Teresa McGuire (Chairperson)
2. Mr. Gerry Coyle (Deputy Chairperson)
3. Cllr Sean Carey (ETB)
4. Paddy Naughton (ETB)
5. Howard Treacy (Staff)
6. Ms Barbra Padden (Staff)
7. Mrs Filimine Lally (Parent)
8. Mr Damian lavelle (Parent)
9. Mr Michael Walshe (Secretary)

Introduction to Saint Brendan’s College

Misean Ráitis

Mission Statement

St. Brendan’s College is committed to providing the highest educational standards and opportunities for our students.  We believe in building a partnership between students, parents and teachers in our students’ educational and personal development. This will enable our students to reach their full potential and prepare them for participation as good citizens in society. Our school environment nurtures personal growth and encourages students to develop social awareness and civic responsibility.

Fís

Vision

We see the community of students and staff of St. Brendan’s College striving to attain the highest possible standards in education, social integration, extra-curricular activities and sport. We will do so in the context of a gathering of individuals who can work together as a community. In St. Brendan’s College, student wellbeing is deeply embedded in our culture. We are a school where each student and staff member will be respected and valued for who they are. Embracing each other’s diversity develops relationships and enriches life. The school community will work together in creating an enthusiastic and happy school environment in St. Brendan’s College. Our school will be a place that inspires learners and nurtures in them a passion for knowledge, so that they may pursue their dreams.

Aidhmeanna 

Aims

1. We will provide a holistic educational experience for our students allowing them to reach their fullest potential as young people. We focus on the total development of each child; intellectual, physical, emotional, social, moral and spiritual.
2. The environment in our school will always be a caring one. Students will empathise with and show compassion for each other. Students will feel safe in their surroundings. Our young people thrive when they feel safe, respected and appreciated.
3. Student Voice will always be paramount in St. Brendan’s College. We will endeavour to foster an atmosphere where students feel empowered.

4. Students and teachers will work collaboratively in a harmonious environment. A school community flourishes when there is open communication and cooperation. Working with and helping others benefits all, and leads to personal growth.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART A – General Information for All Applicants

1. Glossary of terms
2. Admission Statement
3. Legal Framework
4. General Admission Provisions

PART B – Information for Specific Categories of Applicants

5. Application to the First-Year Group
6. Application to All Year Groups Other Than First-Year

PART A

General Information for All Applicants

1. Glossary of terms
2. Admission Statement
3. Legal Framework
4. General Admission Provisions (for all Applicants)

1                    Glossary of Terms

‘Applicant’ means the parent / guardian of a Student, or, in the case of a Student who has reached the age of 18 years, the Student, who has made an application for admission to Saint Brendan’s College.

‘Student’ means the person in respect of whom the application is being made. All uses of the word throughout this Policy therefore imply ‘prospective’ as part of the interpretation. That is, the use of the word ‘Student’ does not mean that the application for him/her has been accepted such that s/he is regarded as a Student of Saint Brendan’s College by virtue of application alone.

‘Gender’, in line with the definition of “the gender ground” in the Equal Status Act 2000, is such that “one is male and the other is female”. This does not prejudice any Student who is Intersex or identifies as Androgynous/Androgyne, Bigender, Demigender, Gender Fluid, Genderqueer, Multigender, Neutrois, Non-binary, Transgender, Transsexual or otherwise.

‘Parent’ has the same meaning as in the Education Act 1998 and includes a foster parent and a guardian appointed under the Guardianship of Children Acts, 1964 to 1997.

‘Aonad Lán-Gaeilge’ offers partial instruction through Irish in a designated number of subjects to a cohort of Students within the school.

‘First-Year’ means the intake group of Students for the most junior class or year in a school.

2                  Admission Statement

Characteristic Spirit Statement for ETB Schools

ETB schools are state, co-educational, multidenominational schools underpinned by the core values of:

• Excellence in Education;
• Care;
• Equality;
• Community and

As the state provider of education, the ETB sector defines a ‘multidenominational’ school in the following way:

In ETB schools, all students are given equal opportunities for enrolment in line with the Education (Admissions to School) Act 2018.  Once enrolled, our schools strive to provide all students with equal opportunities to engage with the curriculum and school life. In all aspects of school life all members of our school communities are treated equitably regardless of their race, gender, religion/belief, age, family status, civil status, membership of the Traveller community, sexual orientation, ability or socio-economic status.

Our schools provide a safe physical and social environment that reinforces a sense of belonging to the school community and wider society. They strive to enable every student to realise their full potential regardless of any aspect of their identity or background. Our schools promote a fully inclusive education that recognises the plurality of identities, beliefs and values held by students, parents and staff. We prepare open-minded, culturally sensitive and responsible citizens with a strong sense of shared values.

In ETB schools, students of all religions and beliefs are treated equally.  The school environment and activities do not privilege any particular group over another whilst at the same time acknowledging and facilitating students of all religions and beliefs.

Accordingly, Saint Brendan’s College shall not discriminate in its admission of a Student based on the following grounds:

• Gender of the Student or Applicant. However, where a school admits students of one gender only, it is not discriminatory to refuse to admit Students not of that gender;

• Civil status of the Student or Applicant;

• Family status of the Student or Applicant;

• Sexual orientation of the Student or Applicant;

• Religion of the Student or Applicant;

• Disability of the Student or Applicant;

• Race of the Student or Applicant;

• The Student’s or Applicant’s membership of the Traveller community;

• Special educational needs of the Student or Applicant.

Saint Brendan’s College shall not charge fees or payments or seek contributions as a condition of admission or continued enrolment of a Student.

3                  Legal Framework

MSLETB was established under the Education and Training Board Act 2013 which sets out the functions of all ETBs, including to establish and maintain recognised schools, centres for education and education and training facilities in each ETB’s functional area.

The board of management of Saint Brendan’s College is a committee established under section 44 of the Education and Training Board Act 2013 and also constitutes a board of management within the meaning of the Education Act 1998.

The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 and the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 place a duty on all recognised schools to prepare and publish an Admission Policy.

The Education Act, 1998 provides for an appeal process in the event of a refusal to enrol. The appeal process is set out in section 5.3 in respect of applications made to the First-Year Group and in section 6.3 in respect of applications made to all years other than the First-Year Group.

It is important to understand that our school does not provide ‘religious instruction’ and therefore the legal requirement to advise of the option to opt-out of religious instruction does not arise in this school. It is also important to understand the distinction between ‘religious instruction’ and religious education’:

• Religious instructionis a term used in Ireland to indicate instruction in accordance with the rites, practices and teachings of a particular religion or denomination for pupils of that religious tradition. Religious instruction may be provided in a denominational school setting.
• Religious educationis open to all pupils regardless of their commitment to any particular religion or worldview. It seeks to contribute to the spiritual and moral development of all students equally.

As ETB schools are ‘multi-denominational’, [XXX school] supports the provision of religious education that caters for all students regardless of their religious or non-religious beliefs and therefore does not provide religious instruction of any particular religion or belief.

4                  General Admission Provisions

A decision on an application for admission shall be based on:

• the implementation of this Admission Policy,
• the annual Admission Notice of the school, and the
• information provided by the Applicant in the application for admission.

If, prior to the commencement of section 62 of the Education Act 1998 by the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 on the 1^st February 2020, Saint Brendan’s College had confirmed, in writing, that an Applicant had been placed on a list relating to the allocation of school places for entrance before the 1^st February 2025, then this confirmation is still valid and the Applicant will be offered that place.

In processing an application Saint Brendan’s College shall not consider:

• The payment of fees or contributions to the school;

• The occupation, financial status, academic ability, skills or aptitude of a Student’s Parent(s);

• A requirement that a Student or his or her Parent(s), attend an interview, open day or other meeting as a condition of admission;

• A Student’s connection to the school due to a member of his or her family attending or having previously attended the school , unless the connection is a sibling of the Student concerned attending, or having attended, the school.

• The date and time on which an application for admission was received by the school as long as it is received during the period specified for receiving applications set out in the annual Admission Notice for that academic year.

Saint Brendan’s College will consider the offer of a place to every Student seeking admission to the school, unless the following applies:

• The Parent/Guardian fails to confirm in writing that s/he accepts the Student Code of Behaviour and he/she shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with such code by the Student;

Where Saint Brendan’s College considers an application, each Student shall receive a place, unless the school is oversubscribed, in which case, selection criteria will be applied to each application.

Section 5 of this Policy addresses the selection criteria and other matters related to the admission provisions for the First-Year Group.

Section 6 of this Policy addresses the selection criteria and other matters related to the admission provisions for all year groups other than First-Year.

PART B

Information for Specific Categories of Applicants

5. Application to the First-Year Group
6. Application to All Year Groups Other Than First-Year

5                   Application to the First-Year Group

• Admission Provisions (First-Year Group)
  • Oversubscription
  • Selection criteria in order of priority
  • Selection process
  • Late Applications
  • Second/third-round offers of a place
  • Acceptance of a place
  • Refusal
  • Withdrawal of an offer
  • Appeals

• Admission Provisions to the Aonad Lán Gaeilge (First-Year Group)
  • Oversubscription
  • Selection criteria in order of priority
  • Selection process
  • Late Applications
  • Second/third-round offers of a place
  • Acceptance of a place
  • Refusal
  • Withdrawal of an offer
  • Appeals

• Appeals
• Appeal where refusal was due to oversubscription
• Appeal where refusal was for a reason other than oversubscription
• Basis for appeal

5.1           Admission Provisions (First Year Group)

Where Saint Brendan’s College is not oversubscribed, all Students will be offered a school place, subject to sections 4.7.

• Oversubscription

When the number of applications exceeds the number of places available, the published selection criteria as set out at section 5.1.2 below will apply and a waiting list shall be compiled which shall remain valid only for the school year in respect of which the applications are made. Where Saint Brendan’s College is in a position to offer further school places that become available for and during that academic year, places will be offered in accordance with the order of priority in which Students have been placed on the waiting list.

For the avoidance of doubt, if a Student does not receive a place in the school for a given academic year, but s/he wishes to be considered for admission to the same year group in the following academic year, a new application must be made on behalf of that Student during the dates specified by the school as being the period when it will accept applications to all year groups other than First-Year.

Where the school is oversubscribed, any selection criteria that are not included in this Admission Policy shall not be considered in determining whether or not a Student is admitted to the school.

• Selection criteria in order of priority

Saint Brendan’s College will apply the following criteria for admission to the First-Year Group:

• If the Student resides in the Catchment Area;
• If the Student has siblings currently enrolled in the school;
• If the Student has siblings who were previously enrolled in the school;
• If the Student had a parent or grandparent who previously attended the school (to a maximum of 25% of the places available);

Note: See section 5.2.2 for selection criteria applicable to admission to the Aonad Lán Gaeilge.  

• Selection process

Saint Brendan’s College will apply the selection process as follows

Applications are considered against the published selection criteria. Places will be offered in the first instance to those who meet the first criterion.  Subsequently, where the school still has places available, the remaining Applicants are considered in light of the second criterion and those Applicants who meet this criterion will be offered a place within the school. This process is continuously carried out until all available places have been offered and accepted.

Where two or more applications are tied in the foregoing selection process, Saint Brendan’s College will apply a random lottery to assign any available places in the school, or on the waiting list, to those applications.

• Late applications

An application received by Saint Brendan’s College after the closing date published by the school, and set out in the Admission Notice, is considered a late application for the purposes of this Admission Policy.

Where Saint Brendan’s College is oversubscribed and receives a late application for admission, that application will receive a place on the waiting list beneath Applicants whose applications were received by the school before the closing date for applications. Such late applications will be placed on the waiting list in accordance with the date and time they were received by the school, subject to section 4.7.

Where Saint Brendan’s College is not oversubscribed and it receives a late application, the Student seeking admission will receive an offer of a place within the school, subject to sections 4.7. The same process as applies to Applicants whose applications were received before the closing date will be applied i.e. an Acceptance Form will be issued to the Applicant for completion and return to the school within 2 weeks of issue.  

• Second/third-round offers of a place

Where a Student is in receipt of an offer of a place within Saint Brendan’s College, but does not accept the offer, or the school withdraws the offer in line with the relevant provisions of this Policy, the place will be offered to the next Student on the waiting list in a second-round of offers. This process will continue throughout third and fourth rounds etc. until all places within the school have been filled.

• Acceptance of a place

If the Student in respect of whom the application is made is offered a place, the Applicant will be issued with an Acceptance Form by the school.

The Applicant shall indicate acceptance of an offer by fully completing and returning the Acceptance Form by the date set out in the School’s Admission Notice, or within 2 weeks of issuing by the school if it is a late application or if it is a second/third-round offer. This includes indicating whether or not s/he has applied for and is awaiting confirmation of an offer of admission from another school.

Failure to fully complete and return the Acceptance Form to the school by the date set out in the School’s Admission Notice, or within 2 weeks of issuing by the school if it is a late application or if it is a second/third-round offer, may result in withdrawal of an offer, in line with the grounds for withdrawal of an offer, as set out below.

• Refusal

Where a Student in respect of whom an application is being sought has not been offered a school place, the Applicant will be provided in writing with:

• The reasons that the Student was not a offered a place in Saint Brendan’s College;
• Details of the Student’s ranking against the published selection criteria, if the year-group to which the Applicant is applying is oversubscribed;
• Details of the Student’s place on the waiting list, if applicable; and
• Details of the Applicant’s right to appeal the decision.

In addition to the conditions for consideration of an application as set out at 4.7, an offer of admission may not be made where:

• The information contained in the application is false or misleading in a material respect.

• Withdrawal of an offer

An offer of admission may be withdrawn where:

• The information contained in the application is false or misleading in a material respect, or
• The 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 for the academic year for which s/he is applying, or in the case of a late application, or second/third-round offer, within 2 weeks, or
• An Applicant has not indicated:

• whether or not s/he has applied for and is awaiting confirmation of an offer from another school(s) and if so, the details of the school(s);

and

• whether or not or s/he has accepted an offer of admission from another school(s) and if so, the details of the offer(s).

If an offer of a place is withdrawn by the school, the Student on whose behalf the application was made shall lose his/her place on the admission list or waiting list for that academic year and any subsequent applications for the same academic year on behalf of that Student shall be treated as a late application in line with section 5.1.4 above.

• Appeals

For information relating to an Applicant’s right to appeal a decision of Saint Brendan’s College, regarding admission to the First-Year Group, see section 5.3.

5.2.                       Admission to the Aonad Lán Gaeilge

Saint Brendan’s College operates an Aonad Lán Gaeilge, which caters for Students who wish to be educated in an Irish-medium post primary setting. Applications made only for the Aonad Gaeilge will be considered solely for that purpose. Applications made for the Aonad Lán Gaeilge and the English-medium stream will be considered for the Aonad Lán Gaeilge in the first instance and subsequently the English-medium stream.

Where the Aonad Lán Gaeilge in Saint Brendan’s College is not oversubscribed, all Students who seek admission therein will be offered a place in the Aonad Lán Gaeilge, subject to sections 4.7.

• Oversubscription:

When the number of applications exceeds the number of places available, the published selection criteria as set out at section 5.2.2 below will apply and a waiting list shall be compiled which shall remain valid only for the school year in respect of which the applications are made. Where Saint Brendan’s College is in a position to offer further school places that become available for and during that academic year, places will be offered in accordance with the order of priority in which Students have been placed on the waiting list.

For the avoidance of doubt, if a Student does not receive a place in the school for a given academic year, but s/he wishes to be considered for admission to the same year group in the following academic year, a new application must be made on behalf of that Student during the dates specified by the school as being the period when it will accept applications made to all years other than the First-Year Group.

Where the school is oversubscribed, any selection criteria that are not included in this Admission Policy shall not be considered in determining whether or not a Student is admitted to the school.

• Selection criteria in order of priority:

Applications to the Aonad Lán Gaeilge will only be considered where the Aonad Lán Gaeilge was indicated on the application form provided to Saint Brendan’s College by the Applicant.

Saint Brendan’s College will apply the following criteria for admission to the Aonad Lán Gaeilge where the Aonad Lán Gaeilge is oversubscribed:

• The Student has attained a level of fluency in the Irish language and said fluency would be likely to regress were s/he not admitted to the Aonad. Applicants are required to provide such evidence as they consider appropriate to demonstrate the Student’s level of fluency in the Irish language and how same would regress if the student were not admitted to the school;
• If the Student resides in the catchment area;
• If the Student has siblings who were previously enrolled in the school;
• If the Student had a parent or grandparent who previously attended the school (to a maximum of 25% of the places available);

• Selection process:

Saint Brendan’s College will apply the selection process as follows:

Having met the criteria for admission to the Aonad Lán Gaeilge, applications are considered against the published selection criteria. Places will be offered in the first instance to those who meet the first criterion.  Subsequently, where the school still has places available the remaining Applicants are considered against the second criterion and those Applicants who meet this criterion will be offered a place within the school. This process is continuously carried out until all available places have been offered and accepted.

Where two or more applications are tied in the foregoing selection process, [XX School] will apply a random lottery to assign any available places in the school, or on the waiting list, to those applications.

• Late applications:

An application received by Saint Brendan’s College after the closing date published by Saint Brendan’s College, and set out in the Admission Notice, will be considered a late application for the purposes of this Admission Policy.

Where Saint Brendan’s College is oversubscribed and receives a late application for admission, that application will receive a place on the waiting list beneath Applicants whose applications were received by the school before the closing date for applications. Such late applications will be placed on the waiting list in accordance with the date and time they were received by the school, subject to section 4.7.

Where Saint Brendan’s College is not oversubscribed and it receives a late application, the Student seeking admission will receive an offer of a place within Saint Brendan’s College, subject to sections 4.7, and the same process as applies to Applicants whose applications were received before the closing date will be applied i.e. an Acceptance Form will be issued to the Applicant for completion and return to the school within 2 weeks of issue.  

• Second/third-round offers of a place:

Where a Student is in receipt of an offer of a place within Saint Brendan’s College but does not accept the offer, or the school withdraws the offer in line with the relevant provisions of this Policy, the place will be offered to the next Student on the waiting list in a second-round of offers. This process will continue throughout third and fourth rounds etc. until all places within the school have been filled.

• Acceptance of a place:

If the Student in respect of whom the application is made is offered a place, the Applicant will be issued with an Acceptance Form by the school.

The Applicant shall indicate acceptance of an offer by fully completing and returning the Acceptance Form by the date set out in the School Admission Notice, or within 2 weeks of issuing by the school if it is a late application or if it is a second/third-round offer. This includes indicating whether or not s/he has applied for and is awaiting confirmation of an offer of admission from another school.

Failure to fully complete and return the Acceptance Form to the school by the date set out in the School Admission Notice, or within 2 weeks of issuing by the school if it is a late application or if it is a second/third-round offer, may result in withdrawal of an offer, in line with the grounds for withdrawal of an offer, as set out below.

• Refusal:

Where a Student in respect of whom an application is being sought has not been offered a school place, the Applicant will be provided in writing with:

• The reasons that the Student was not a offered a place in Saint Brendan’s College.
• Details of the Student’s ranking against the published selection criteria, if the year-group to which the applicant is applying is oversubscribed,
• Details of the Student’s place on the waiting list, if applicable, and
• Details of the Applicant’s right to appeal the decision

In addition to the conditions for consideration of an application as set out at 4.7, an offer of admission may not be made where:

• The information contained in the application is false or misleading in a material respect.

• Withdrawal of an offer

An offer of admission may be withdrawn where:

• The information contained in the application is false or misleading in a material respect, or
• The 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 for the academic year for which s/he is applying, or in the case of a late application, or second/third-round offer, within 2 weeks, or
• An Applicant has not indicated:

• whether or not s/he has applied for and is awaiting confirmation of an offer from another school(s) and if so, the details of the school(s);

and

• whether or not or s/he has accepted an offer of admission from another school(s) and if so, the details of the offer(s).

If an offer of a place is withdrawn by the school, the Student on whose behalf the application was made shall lose his/her place on the admission list or waiting list for that academic year and any subsequent applications for the same academic year on behalf of that Student shall be treated as a late application in line with section 5.2.4 above.

• Appeals:

For information relating to an Applicant’s right to appeal a decision of Saint Brendan’s College regarding admission to the Aonad Lán Gaeilge in the First-Year Group, see section 5.3.

5.3.       Appeals

• Appeal where refusal was due to oversubscription:

An Applicant who was refused admission because the school is oversubscribed and who wishes to appeal this decision must submit his/her appeal in writing, via a Section 29 Appeal Application Form, available from the school office and on the school’s website,  for it to be reviewed by the board of management of Saint Brendan’s College at Belmullet Co Mayo, 097 81437, [email protected]. Such an appeal must be brought within fourteen calendar days of receipt by the Applicant of the school’s decision to refuse to admit. However, if a different time period for the bringing of such an appeal is specified by the Minister for Education and Skills after the publication of this Policy, same shall apply instead.

If an Applicant is not satisfied with the decision of the board of management, or the board of management is not in a position to review the decision to refuse admission, the Applicant may apply to bring an appeal to an appeals committee established by the Minister for Education and Skills under section 29A of the Education Act 1998.

• Appeal where refusal was for a reason other than oversubscription:

An Applicant who was refused admission to Saint Brendan’s College for a reason other than the school being oversubscribed and who wishes to appeal this decision may choose to put his/her appeal in writing, via a Section 29 Appeal Application Form, available from the school office and on the school’s website, for it to be reviewed by the board of management of Saint Brendan’s College. Such an appeal must be brought within fourteen calendar days of receipt by the Applicant of the school’s decision to refuse to admit. However, if a different time period for the bringing of such an appeal is specified by the Minister for Education and Skills after the publication of this policy, same shall apply instead.

Alternatively, s/he may choose to apply to bring an appeal to an appeals committee established by the Minister for Education and Skills under section 29A of the Education Act 1998.

If an Applicant who chooses to appeal to the board of management is not satisfied with the decision of the board of management, the Applicant may also apply to bring an appeal to an appeals committee established by the Minister for Education and Skills under section 29A of the Education Act 1998.

• Basis for appeal:

As required by section 29C(2) of the Education Act 1998, an application to appeal must be based on the implementation of this Admission Policy, the content of the school’s Admission Notice and also set out the grounds of the request to appeal the decision.

6                  Application to All Year Groups Other Than First-Year

• Admission Provisions (other than First-Year)
  • Oversubscription
  • Selection criteria in order of priority
  • Selection process
  • Late Applications
  • Second/third-round offers of a place
  • Acceptance of a place
  • Refusal
  • Withdrawal of an offer
  • Appeals

• Admission Provisions to the Aonad Lán Gaeilge (other than First-Year)
  • Oversubscription
  • Selection criteria in order of priority
  • Selection process
  • Late Applications
  • Second/third-round offers of a place
  • Acceptance of a place
  • Refusal
  • Withdrawal of an offer
  • Appeals

• Appeals

• Appeal where refusal was due to oversubscription
• Appeal where refusal was for a reason other than oversubscription
• Basis for appeal

6.1           Admission Provisions (Other Than First-Year)

Where Saint Brendan’s College is not oversubscribed, all Students will be offered a school place, subject to sections 4.7.

• Oversubscription

When the number of applications exceeds the number of places available, the published selection criteria as set out at section 6.1.2 below will apply and a waiting list shall be compiled which shall remain valid only for the school year in respect of which the applications are made. Where Saint Brendan’s College is in a position to offer further school places that become available for and during that academic year, places will be offered in accordance with the order of priority in which Students have been placed on the waiting list.

For the avoidance of doubt, if a Student does not receive a place in the school for a given academic year, but s/he wishes to be considered for admission to the same year group in the following academic year, a new application must be made on behalf of that Student during the dates specified by the school as being the period when it will accept applications to all years other than the First Year Group.

Where the school is oversubscribed, any selection criteria that are not included in this Admission Policy shall not be considered in determining whether or not a Student is admitted to the school.

Where the Transition Year Programme and Leaving Certificate Applied  in Sr Brendan’s College is oversubscribed, a Student applying for admission to such programme in the relevant year group, will subject to this policy, be placed on the appropriate waiting list already compiled (annually) by the school, which will contain the names of students enrolled in the school who have been placed on an internal waiting list for this programme.

• Selection criteria in order of priority
• Saint Brendan’s College will apply the following criteria for admission to a year-group other than First-Year:

• If the Student resides in the catchment area;
• If the Student has siblings currently enrolled in the school;
• If the Student has siblings who were previously enrolled in the school;
• If the Student had a parent or grandparent who previously attended the school (to a maximum of 25% of the places available);

Note: See section 6.2.2 for selection criteria applicable to admission to the Aonad Lán Gaeilge.

Any selection criteria that are not included in this Admission Policy shall not be considered in determining whether or not an Applicant is admitted.

• Selection process

Saint Brendan’s College will apply the selection process as follows:

Applications are considered against the published selection criteria. Places will be offered in the first instance to those who meet the first criterion.  Subsequently, where the school still has places available, the remaining Applicants are considered in light of the second criterion and those Applicants who meet this criterion will be offered a place within the school. This process is continuously carried out until all available places have been offered and accepted.

Where two or more applications are tied in the foregoing selection process, St Brendan’s College, will apply a random lottery to assign any available places in the school, or on the waiting list, to those applications.

• Late applications:

An application received by Saint Brendan’s College after the closing date published by Saint Brendan’s College and set out in the Admission Notice, is considered a late application for the purposes of this Admission Policy.

Where Saint Brendan’s College is oversubscribed and receives a late application for admission, that application will receive a place on the waiting list beneath Applicants whose applications were received by the school before the closing date for applications. Such late applications will be placed on the waiting list in accordance with the date and time they were received by the school, subject to section 4.7.

Where Saint Brendan’s College is not oversubscribed and it receives a late application, the Student seeking admission will receive an offer of a place within Saint Brendan’s College, subject to sections 4.7, and the same process as applies to Applicants whose applications were received before the closing date will be applied i.e. an Acceptance Form will be issued to the Applicant for completion and return to the school within 2 weeks of issue.  

• Second/third-round offers of a place

Where a Student is in receipt of an offer of a place within Saint Brendan’s College but does not accept the offer, or the school withdraws the offer in line with the relevant provisions of this Policy, the place will be offered to the next Student on the waiting list in a second-round of offers. This process will continue throughout third and fourth rounds etc. until all places within the school have been filled.

• Acceptance of a place:

If the Student in respect of whom the application is made is offered a place, the Applicant will be issued with an Acceptance Form by the school.

The Applicant shall indicate acceptance of an offer by fully completing and returning the Acceptance Form by the date set out in the School Admission Notice, or within 2 weeks of issuing by the school if it is a late application or if it is a second/third-round offer. This includes indicating whether or not s/he has applied for and is awaiting confirmation of an offer of admission from another school.

Failure to fully complete and return the Acceptance Form to the school by the date set out in the School Admission Notice, or within 2 weeks of issuing by the school if it is a late application or if it is a second/third-round offer, may result in withdrawal of an offer, in line with the grounds for withdrawal of an offer, as set out below.

• Refusal:

Where a Student in respect of whom an application is being sought has not been offered a school place, the Applicant will be provided in writing with:

• The reasons that the Student was not a offered a place in Saint Brendan’s College’
• Details of the Student’s ranking against the published selection criteria, if the year-group to which the Applicant is applying is oversubscribed,
• Details of the Student’s place on the waiting list, if applicable, and
• Details of the Applicant’s right to appeal the decision.

In addition to the conditions for consideration of an application as set out at 4.7

an offer of admission may not be made where:

• The information contained in the application is false or misleading in a material respect.

• Withdrawal of an offer

An offer of admission may be withdrawn where:

• The information contained in the application is false or misleading in a material respect, or
• The 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 for the academic year for which s/he is applying, or in the case of a late application, or second/third-round offer, within 2 weeks, or
• An Applicant has not indicated:

• whether or not s/he has applied for and is awaiting confirmation of an offer from another school(s) and if so, the details of the school(s);

and

• whether or not or s/he has accepted an offer of admission from another school(s) and if so, the details of the offer(s).

If an offer of a place is withdrawn by the school, the Student on whose behalf the application was made shall lose his/her place on the admission list or waiting list for that academic year and any subsequent applications for the same academic year on behalf of that Student shall be treated as a late application in line with section 6.1.4 above.

• Appeals:

For information relating to an Applicant’s right to appeal a decision o Saint Brendan’s College  regarding admission to a year-group other than First-Year, see section 6.3.

6.2          Admission Provisions for the Aonad Lán Gaeilge (Other Than First-Year)

Aonad Lán Gaeilge offers partial instruction through Irish in a designated number of subjects to a cohort of Students within the school. Applications made ONLY for the Aonad Lán Gaeilge will be considered solely for that option. Applications made for the Aonad Lán Gaeilge and the English-medium stream will be considered for the Aonad Lán Gaeilge in the first instance and subsequently the English-medium stream.

Where the Aonad Lán Gaeilge in Saint Brendan’s College is not oversubscribed, all Students who seek admission therein will be offered a place in the Aonad Lán Gaeilge, subject to sections 4.7.

• Oversubscription:

When the number of applications exceeds the number of places available, the published selection criteria as set out at section 6.2.2 below will apply and a waiting list shall be compiled which shall remain valid only for the school year in respect of which the applications are made. Where Saint Brendan’s College is in a position to offer further school places that become available for and during that academic year, places will be offered in accordance with the order of priority in which Students have been placed on the waiting list.

For the avoidance of doubt, if a Student does not receive a place in the school for a given academic year, but s/he wishes to be considered for admission to the same year group in the following academic year, a new application must be made on behalf of that Student during the dates specified by the school as being the period when it will accept applications made to all years other than the First-Year Group.

Where the school is oversubscribed, any selection criteria that are not included in this Admission Policy shall not be considered in determining whether or not a Student is admitted to the school.

Where the Transition Year Programme  and the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme in St Brendan’s College, is oversubscribed, a Student applying for admission to such programme in the relevant year group, will subject to this policy, be placed on the appropriate waiting list already compiled (annually) by the school, which will contain the names of students enrolled in the school who have been placed on an internal waiting list for this programme.

• Selection criteria in order of priority:

Applications to the Aonad Lán Gaeilge will only be considered where the Aonad Lán Gaeilge was indicated on the application form provided to Saint Brendan’s College by the Applicant.

Saint Brendan’s College will apply the following criteria for admission to the Aonad Lán Gaeilge where the Aonad Lán Gaeilge is oversubscribed:

• The Student has attained a level of fluency in the Irish language and said fluency would be likely to regress were s/he not admitted to the Aonad. Applicants are required to provide such evidence as they consider appropriate to demonstrate the Student’s level of fluency in the Irish language and how same would regress if the student were not admitted to the school;
• If the Student has siblings currently enrolled in the school;
• If the Student resides in the catchment area;
• If the Student has siblings who were previously enrolled in the school;
• If the Student had a parent or grandparent who previously attended the school (to a maximum of 25% of the places available);

• Selection process:

Saint Brendan’s College will apply the selection process as follows:

Having met the criteria for admission to the Aonad Lán Gaeilge, applications are considered against the published selection criteria. Places will be offered in the first instance to those who meet the first criterion.  Subsequently, where the school still has places available the remaining Applicants are considered against the second criterion and those Applicants who meet this criterion will be offered a place within the school. This process is continuously carried out until all available places have been offered and accepted.

Where two or more applications are tied in the foregoing selection process, St Brendan’s College, will apply a random lottery to assign any available places in the school, or on the waiting list, to those applications.

• Late Applications

An application received by Saint Brendan’s College after the closing date published by Saint Brendan’s College, and set out in the Admission Notice, will be considered a late application for the purposes of this Admission Policy.

Where Saint Brendan’s College is oversubscribed and receives a late application for admission, that application will receive a place on the waiting list beneath Applicants whose applications were received by the school before the closing date for applications. Such late applications will be placed on the waiting list in accordance with the date and time they were received by the school, subject to section 4.7.

Where Saint Brendan’s College is not oversubscribed and it receives a late application, the Student seeking admission will receive an offer of a place within Saint Brendan’s College subject to sections 4.7 and the same process as applies to Applicants whose applications were received before the closing date will be applied i.e. an Acceptance Form will be issued to the Applicant for completion and return to the school within 2 weeks of issue.  

• Second/third-round offers of a place

Where a Student is in receipt of an offer of a place within Saint Brendan’s College but does not accept the offer, or the school withdraws the offer in line with the relevant provisions of this Policy, the place will be offered to the next Student on the waiting list in a second-round of offers. This process will continue throughout third and fourth rounds etc. until all places within the school have been filled.

• Acceptance of a place:

If the Student in respect of whom the application is made is offered a place, the Applicant will be issued with an Acceptance Form by the school. The Applicant shall indicate acceptance of an offer by fully completing and returning the Acceptance Form by the date set out in the School Admission Notice, or within 2 weeks of issuing by the school if it is a late application or if it is a second/third-round offer. This includes indicating whether or not s/he has applied for and is awaiting confirmation of an offer of admission from another school.

Failure to fully complete and return the Acceptance Form to the school by the date set out in the School Admission Notice, or within 2 weeks of issuing by the school if it is a late application or if it is a second/third-round offer, may result in withdrawal of an offer, in line with the grounds for withdrawal of an offer, as set out below.

• Refusal

Where a Student in respect of whom an application is being sought has not been offered a school place, the Applicant will be provided in writing with:

• The reasons that the Student was not a offered a place in Saint Brendan’s College
• Details of the Student’s ranking against the published selection criteria, if the year-group to which the Applicant is applying is oversubscribed;
• Details of the Student’s place on the waiting list, if applicable; and
• Details of the Applicant’s right to appeal the decision

In addition to the conditions for consideration of an application as set out at 4.7 an offer of admission may not be made where:

• The information contained in the application is false or misleading in a material respect.

• Withdrawal of an offer

An offer of admission may be withdrawn where:

• The information contained in the application is false or misleading in a material respect, or
• The 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 for the academic year for which s/he is applying, or in the case of a late application, or second/third-round offer, within 2 weeks, or
• An Applicant has not indicated:

• whether or not s/he has applied for and is awaiting confirmation of an offer from another school(s) and if so, the details of the school(s);

and

• whether or not or s/he has accepted an offer of admission from another school(s) and if so, the details of the offer(s).

If an offer of a place is withdrawn by the school, the Student on whose behalf the application was made shall lose his/her place on the admission list or waiting list for that academic year and any subsequent applications for the same academic year on behalf of that Student shall be treated as a late application in line with section 6.2.4 above.

• Appeals

For information relating to an Applicant’s right to appeal a decision of Saint Brendan’s College regarding admission to the Aonad Lán Gaeilge in all years other than the First-Year Group, see section 6.4.

6.3          Appeals

• Appeal where refusal was due to oversubscription:

An Applicant who was refused admission because the school is oversubscribed and who wishes to appeal this decision must submit his/her appeal in writing, via a Section 29 Appeal Application Form, available from the school office and on the school’s website, for it to be reviewed by the board of management of Saint Brendan’s College at Belmullet, Co Mayo, 097 81437, [email protected]. Such an appeal must be brought within fourteen calendar days of receipt by the Applicant of the school’s decision to refuse to admit. However, if a different time period for the bringing of such an appeal is specified by the Minister for Education and Skills after the publication of this Policy, same shall apply instead.

If an Applicant is not satisfied with the decision of the board of management, or the board of management is not in a position to review the decision to refuse admission, the Applicant may apply to bring an appeal to an appeals committee established by the Minister for Education and Skills under section 29A of the Education Act 1998.

• Appeal where refusal was for a reason other than oversubscription:

An Applicant who was refused admission to Saint Brendan’s College for a reason other than the school being oversubscribed and who wishes to appeal this decision may choose to put his/her appeal in writing, via a Section 29 Appeal Application Form, available from the school office and on the school’s website, for it to be reviewed by the board of management of Saint Brendan’s College. Such an appeal must be brought within fourteen calendar days of receipt by the Applicant of the school’s decision to refuse to admit. However, if a different time period for the bringing of such an appeal is specified by the Minister for Education and Skills after the publication of this Policy, same shall apply instead.

Alternatively, s/he may choose to apply to bring an appeal to an appeals committee established by the Minister for Education and Skills under section 29A of the Education Act 1998.

If an Applicant who chooses to appeal to the board of management is not satisfied with the decision of the board of management, the Applicant may also apply to bring an appeal to an appeals committee established by the Minister for Education and Skills under section 29A of the Education Act 1998.

• Basis for appeal:

As required by section 29C(2) of the Education Act 1998, an application to appeal must be based on the implementation of this Admission Policy, the content of the school’s Admission Notice and also set out the grounds of the request to appeal the decision.

Adopted by the Board of Management on 6/10/2020.

____________________________________________________

Chairperson

__________________________________________________

Board Member

Mission Statement

It is our intention that all of our programmes, activities and actions are informed by our Mission Statement and our School Vision Statement.  We try our best to live by it and all who work in the school – students, parents, and teachers – are expected to work in accordance with these principles.  Our Mission Statement and our Vision Statement inform not just what we do, but also how we do it.

Management, Teaching & Financial Resources

The school is funded by the Department of Education & Science as part of the free education scheme.  The school is staffed in accordance with the standard pupil-teacher ratios sanctioned by the Department of Education & Science and any additional teaching hours sanctioned by the Department in respect of curricular concessions, special needs, special programmes, etc.  The school operates within the regulations laid down by the Department from time to time.  The capacity of the school to implement its desired curriculum, its broad range of educational programmes, its breadth of extra-curricular activities, its school plan and policies are dependent on the resources it receives.  Consequently, in determining its activities and programmes for any school year the school must have due regard to the teaching, management and administrative resources and the accommodation, equipment and funding available to it.

Organisation

The Appendix contains relevant information about the organisation of the school.  In addition the school issues a number of Information Bulletins for parents each year settling out relevant information for the current year including holidays dates, dates of house examination, dates of Parent-Teacher meetings etc.

Curriculum

The school offers a broad curriculum designed to meet the needs of a wide range of abilities and aptitudes.  The details of the curriculum on offer are set out each year in the School Prospectus which is distributed to all sixth class students in our catchment area. It is which is available from the school on request and on the school website www.stbrendancollege.com. The curriculum is subject to change from time to time as deemed appropriate by the school.  The school also endeavours to provide a wide range of extracurricular activities.  Those on offer each year are set out in the prospectus.  The provision of these activities is subject to a range of factors and the list of activities is subject to change from time to time.

Objectives

The objectives of this policy statement are:

1. To define clearly the procedures to be followed by parents/guardians in applying for the admission of a child to the school:
   • On transfer from primary to post-primary school.
   • On transfer from another post –primary school.
   • On seeking admission to a particular programme of course e.g. Transition Year, Leaving Certificate Applied, Post-Leaving Certificate Course.
2. To define the criteria to be applied in the consideration of applications in the event the number of applications exceeds the number of available places.
3. To define clearly the means by which enrolment decisions may be appealed to the local school management and /or to the Department of Education & Science.

Policy Content

Procedures  – Application, Enrolment Criteria & Decision Appeal.
Application Procedures – into First Year

• The school will have an Open Day/Night each year circa – January/February. This will be published by contacting all Primary Schools in the catchment area and by advertising in the local press.
• Application forms will be forwarded to all 6^th class students in our school’s catchment area/and to others on application, together with School Prospectus, Code of behaviour, Admission Policy and Opening & Closing Dates.
• Application forms will be accompanied by a Medical Information form and must be completed in their entirety and signed by parents. Incomplete forms will be returned to parents.
• Application Forms will be accepted up to and including April 1^st.
• Further information may be requested from time to time.
• In some circumstances the school may request to meet with students and parents.
• All parents and students will be required to sign the School’s Code of Behaviour (Education Welfare Act S.23 (4).
• All students will be required to sit an Assessment Test to aid the school in planning for student needs.
• It will be the policy of the school to accept all students from its catchment area regardless of ability or special educational needs except where there are limited facilities, shortage of places etc. Criteria for admission for outside catchment area is outlined later in this policy.

Students will be accepted from all backgrounds as well as those from minority groups.   If a situation arises where St. Brendan’s College, receives more enrolments that it can cater for the following will apply:

• Priority given to pupils living in the catchment area and attending National Schools in the catchment area.
• Students living in the catchment area and attending National Schools outside the catchment area will also be given priority.

If more students enrol from the catchment area than the school can cater for, then the following will apply:

• Lottery.

All students entering 1^st year must be 12 years of age on 1^st September of year of entering.

Applications from Outside the Catchment Area – First Year
As outlined in exceptional circumstances students from outside the St. Brendan’s College, (as outlined by the Department of Education & Science) will be admitted to St. Brendan’s College, provided that they can be accommodated.  If students cannot be accommodated in individual classes because of class size difficulties, they will be immediately informed and the process will be terminated:

The following procedure will apply

• Application Form completed
• Interview with parents/student
• Suitable reference from previous school
• Good attendance record
• Full disclosure of all relevant information
• Good behaviour record of previous school
• Receipts of written assurances regarding full compliance with school rules and regulations.
• Overall capacity of school to meet educational needs of the child.
• Class size
• Capacity of the school/sufficient time to deliver programme (late applications only)

All applications must be submitted with full documentation to the Board of Management for decision. Failure to complete the necessary documentation listed above or to supply any other relevant documentation / information requested by the school may result in an applicant being reused admission to the school. Applicants are advised at that the Board of Management meets approximately every six weeks.

Assessment Test

• Students will normally be advised of the outcome of their application prior to sitting for the school’s Assessment Test.
• All applicants shall be obliged to sit for the school’s Assessment Test, which shall be held on a day, time and place determined by the school. A candidate who fails to sit for the test without good reason (as judged by the school) will put their admission at risk.  The Board may decide to revoke an earlier decision to admit such a student and to offer the place to a student on the waiting list.
• The Assessment Test will be used to help the school identify whether a student has special educational needs and the results may be used as a basis for seeking additional teaching or other resources from the Department of Education & Science in line with the school’s Special Educational Needs Policy.
• The Assessment Test guides the school in its assignment of students to certain classes. Details of Class (Appendix 2)

Application for other Year Groups

• Application Forms are available from the Office, St. Brendan’s College. These will be accompanied by School’s Prospectus plus this Admission Policy/Code of Behaviour /Opening and Closing dates.
• Any application must be fully completed together with a medical form. Incomplete application forms will be returned to parents.
• Normally applications should be submitted by April 30^th.
• All applications must be accompanied by a reference from previous school.
• Applicants will be required to furnish details about previous 2^nd Level education including school reports and other relevant information. The procedures as outlined for students entering first year from outside the catchment area also apply.
• All applicants will require the following;
  • Approval of Board of Management/Interview with Principal/Deputy Principals/Written assurances regarding compliance with the school’s Rules & Regulations.

Selection Criteria
The following will determine the success of the application

• The capacity of the school to cater for the applicants needs i.e. subject choice, class size.
• The behaviour record of a student in their previous school
• The attendance record of a student in their previous school
• Academic records from their previous second level school
• Late applicants to year groups; In the event of applications being received after April 30^th  from students wishing to enter a particular year group the following will apply:

1. 1. All procedures as outlined previously for “Application for other year groups”
   2. Class size – certain subjects (i.e. practical classes must comply with Department of Education & Science capacity limits)
   3. Subject Choice /Availability of subjects.
   4. There are certain restrictions on class sizes also in line with Department of Education & Science guidelines and with school policy.
   5. Details of such restrictions may be had from the school.
   6. Applicants must have studies subject in previous school.

Because of the lateness of application, applications received after September30th in a particular school year will not be accepted.

Admission to specific programmes or subjects (or subjects at a specific level) to students from the school.
If there are limits in Transition Year, LCVP or Specific Subjects the following will apply;

• Behavioural record
• Attendance record
• Performance in subject previously
• Students’ commitment to the programme
• Student’s participation in all aspects of the programme
• Student’s choosing TY as a final year in school.

In relation to the above courses an application process will apply.  The school will be the final arbiters of who enters any of the programmes listed above.

Repeat a Year

• Applicants must meet with Principal and outline reasons.
• Department of Education & Science form to be completed.
• Since places are limited the following will apply;

1. • Application of Department of education & Science criteria
   • Attendance Record
   • Behaviour Record

Admission to Repeat the Leaving Certificate

• Applicants must meet with the Principal/Deputy Principal
• Department of Education & Science forms to be completed and guidelines to be followed.
• Since the school does not provide a specific Repeat Year Course and if space is limited the following will be considered:
  • Subject availability
  • Class size
  • Behaviour Record
  • Attendance Record

Appeals Procedures

All applicants will receive a written answer to their request as set out above.  Where possible, this will be done within 21 days of receipt of the application.  Where it is not possible to make a decision on an application at the time it is received, the procedures to be followed will be explained in writing to the applicant within 21 days of receipt of the application.  All applicants have the right to appeal the decision to the Board of Management.  This will be dealt with as soon as possible. 

A decision to refuse admission may then be appealed to Mayo/Sligo/Letrim ETB in the first instance and may then be appealed to Department of Education & Skills as outlined in Appendix. 

 The policy will be reviewed regularly in the light of experience.  It will be reviewed by a representative staff group for ratification by the Board o Management annually.  Any staff member, Board member, parent, guardian or student who is unhappy with the content of the implementation of any school policy may request a review at any time and such a request will be dealt with as quickly as possible.  New review of this policy will occur before or during the school year 2016 / 2017.