Admission Policy

1. Introduction

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

The policy was approved by the school Patron on 5^th May 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 Franciscan College Gormanston admission process are set out in the school's annual admission notice which is published annually on the school's website at least one week before the commencement of the admission process for the school year concerned.

This policy must be read in conjunction with the annual admission notice for the school year concerned.

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

CEIST

Catholic Education

An Irish Schools Trust

ADMISSION POLICY OF FRANCISCAN COLLEGE GORMANSTON SCHOOL ADDRESS: GORMANSTON,CO.MEATH

ROLL NUMBER: 644201 SCHOOL PATRON: CEIST CLG

Characteristic spirit and general objectives of Franciscan College Gormanston

Franciscan College Gormanston is a Catholic co-educational voluntary secondary school with a Catholic ethos under the trusteeship of CEIST (Catholic Education an Irish Schools' Trust).

In accordance with S.15 (2) (b) of the Education Act, 1998, the Board of Management of Franciscan College Gormanston shall uphold, and be accountable to the patron for so upholding, the characteristic spirit of the school as determined by the cultural, educational, moral, religious, social, linguistic and spiritual values and traditions which inform and are characteristic of the objectives and conduct of the school.

"Catholic Ethos" in the context of a Catholic voluntary secondary school means the ethos and characteristic spirit of the Roman Catholic Church which aims to promote:

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

in accordance with the doctrines, practices and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church, and/or such ethos and/or characteristic spirit as may be determined or interpreted from time to time by the Irish Episcopal Conference.

Catholic education is therefore a lifelong process of human growth and development which has been at the heart of the Church's mission since Jesus Christ urged his disciples to 'go teach all nations'. The person of Christ is the core of Catholic education.

Franciscan College Gormanston draws on the richness of the religious and cultural heritage of the past, interpreted and lived out for students living in today's world. The charism of Franciscan Order of Friars Minor of the Franciscan Order OFM who began this school is of very significant importance in the life of the school.

As a CEIST school, Franciscan College Gormanston values teaching as one of the most important of all human activities. Our school seeks to build a quality learning community that welcomes, and bears witness to the Gospel values of Jesus Christ, expressed through the lens of the CEIST Charter. These are encapsulated in the core values which are intended to support and nourish the lives of the people who are at the heart of our schools.

Promoting Spiritual and Human Development
Achieving Quality in Teaching and Learning Showing Respect for Every Person Creating Community
Being Just and Responsible

Franciscan College Gormanston is inspired by the words of Jesus Christ to his disciples, "I have come that they may have life and have it to the full" (Jn 10:10). Because of this, Franciscan College Gormanston provides a rich, holistic education in the Catholic tradition where engagement with and development of the whole person; the intellectual, moral, religious, physical, spiritual and psychological are at the core of our practice.

Education has as its goal the formation of a human person who is free, rational and mature in relationships. Franciscan College Gormanston offers educational opportunities which promote excellence so that students can respond responsibly and creatively to their own lives, the lives of others and to the earth, which is our common home.

In Franciscan College Gormanston the dignity and uniqueness of every human being as a child of God is acknowledged and affirmed. The Catholic school is an inclusive community, ideally built on love and formed by the interaction and collaboration of its various components: students, parents, teachers, non-teaching staff and members of the Board of Management. Catholic schools are also outward looking. They are connected to their local parish and Diocese and other local organisations which enrich the life of the school. Our school draws on the rich resources of the local community and, in turn, contributes to the life of the local community.

As a Catholic school, Religious Education is central to our curriculum. Alongside Religious Education, the school supports the formation in faith of our students through many school based experiences of prayer and ritual. All students' spiritual growth is further enhanced through such areas as sport, language, nature, art, poetry and music.

3. Arrangements regarding opting out of Religious Instruction

A parent of a student, or a student who has reached the age of 18, who wishes to attend Franciscan College Gormanston without attending religious instruction should make a written request to the Principal. A meeting will be then be arranged with the parent or the student, as the case may be, to discuss how that request may be accommodated by the school.

4. Admission Statement

Franciscan College Gormanston will not discriminate in its admission of a student to the school on any of the following:

the gender ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
the civil status ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
the family status ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
the sexual orientation ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
the religion ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
the disability ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
the ground of race of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned,
the Traveller community ground of the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned, or
the ground that the student or the applicant in respect of the student concerned has

special educational needs

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

5. Categories of Special Educational Needs catered for in the school/special class

Admission of Students

This school shall admit each student seeking admission except where -

The school is oversubscribed (please see section 6 below for further details)

A parent of a student, when required by the Principal in accordance with section 23(4) of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, fails to confirm in writing that the Code of Behaviour of the school is acceptable to him or her and that he or she shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with such code by the student.
The board of management has a duty of care to ensure as far as practicable the health and safety of the students and staff of the school. In addition, the Board of Management is required under section 15(1) of the Education Act 1998 to provide, or cause to be provided, an appropriate education for each student at the school for which that board has responsibility.

An application for admission may be refused, therefore, where the admission of the applicant would pose a significant risk to the health and safety of the applicant or students and staff of the school, or risk significantly interfering with the right of other students to an appropriate education.

7. Oversubscription (this section must be completed by all schools including schools that do not anticipate being oversubscribed)

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:

The student or his or her parents do not agree to conform in writing that the school's Code of Behaviour is acceptable to them and that they shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with such code.
An Garda Siochana or the Health Service Executive has provided in writing to the school its opinion that the admission of the student could have a seriously detrimental effect on the safety of other students and I or staff of the school.

Category A:

First preference will be given to applicants who are siblings of existing pupi

Then to applicants who are siblings of past pupils where past pupil is defined as a student having in normal circumstances completed their Leaving Certificate in Franciscan College Gormanston.

Then to applicants of eligible staff in Franciscan College Gormanston, where eligible staff is defined as non-casual employees of Franciscan College Gormanston for a minimum of one academic year and who are reasonably expected to be employed by the school at the time their child commences secondary school.

Then to applicants who are the children of past pupils of Franciscan College Gormanston where a past pupil is defined as a student who under normal circumstances completed his/her Leaving Certificate in the school.

Then to pupils who attend Primary Schools and / or reside with the Department of Education and Skills defined "Geographical Catchment” area specific to Franciscan College Gormanston

Category B:

Completed Application Forms received in respect of all other students.

The Principal, on behalf of the Board of Management, will apply the following:

All properly completed applications received by the due date in respect of students in Category A will be allocated places first.

In the event that there are two or more students tied for a place or places in any of the selection criteria categories above (the number of applicants exceeds the number of remaining places), the following arrange

ments will apply:

In the case of over – subscription school places will be offered on the basis of a random lottery.

8. 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:

A student's prior attendance at a pre-school or pre-school service, including naionrai,

The payment of fees or contributions (howsoever described) to the

A student's academic ability, skills or aptitude; other than in relation to:

- admission to (a) a special school or (b) a special class insofar as it is

necessary in order to ascertain whether or not the student has the category of special educational needs concerned.

The occupation, financial status, academic ability, skills or aptitude of a student's parents;

A requirement that a student, or his or her parents, attend an interview, open day or other meeting as a condition of admission;

The date and time on which an application for admission was received by the school,

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

9. Decisions on applications

All decisions on applications for admission to Franciscan College Gormanston will be based on the following:

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

(Please see section 14 below in relation to applications received outside of the admissions period and section 15 below in relation to applications for places in years other than the intake group.)

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

10. 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 18 below for further details).

11. Acceptance of an offer of a place by an applicant

In accepting an offer of admission from Franciscan College Gormanston, you must indicate-

Whether or not you have accepted an offer of admission for another school or schools. If you have accepted such an offer, you must also provide details of the offer or offers concerned and

Whether or not you have applied for and awaiting confirmation of an offer of admission from another school or schools, and if so, you must provide details of the other school or schools concerned.

Applicants should be aware that failure to disclose this information on the acceptance of a place may lead to an offer being withdrawn by the school.

12. 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 Franciscan College Gormanston where-

It is established that information contained in the application is false or

An applicant fails to confirm acceptance of an offer of admission on or before the date set out in the annual admission notice of the school.

The parent of a student, when required by the Principal in accordance with section 23(4) of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, fails to confirm in writing that the Code of Behaviour of the school is acceptable to him or her and that he or she shall make all reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with such code by the student; or

An applicant has failed to comply with the requirements of 'acceptance of an offer' as set out in section 10

13. 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 data 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-

(j) an application for admission to the school has been received,

an offer of admission to the school has been made, or

an offer of admission to the school has been accepted.

The list may include any or all of the following:

the date on which an application for admission was received by the school;

the date on which an offer of admission was made by the school;

the date on which an offer of admission was accepted by an applicant;

a student's personal details including his or her name, address, date of birth and personal public service number (within the meaning of section 262 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005).

14. 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 Franciscan College Gormanston 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 Franciscan College Gormanston 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.

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.

15. 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 not 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.

16. Procedures for admission of students to other years and during the school year

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

Students may transfer into Franciscan College Gormanston only in exceptional circumstances, subject to:

Space being available in the year or class groups in question, and the curricular provisions being suitable for the applicant.
Satisfactory provision of all relevant information by the former school and the parent / guardian of the student.
The transfer is in the best interests of the child and Franciscan College Gormanston.
Consultation with the Educational Welfare Officer, if appropriate.
Signed acceptance by the applicant and his/her parents/guardian of the school's Code of Behaviour, ethos and policies.
All decisions in relation to transfers are taken by the Board of
The Board of Management reserves the right to refuse an application in certain circumstances which include the situation where the student has an established prior record of poor behaviour.
Applications for repeat Leaving Certificate students will be dealt with on an individual basis.
It is understood that parents / guardians have the right to appeal decisions made by the Board of Management.

17. Declaration in relation to the non-charging of fees

The board of Franciscan College Gormanston or any persons acting on its behalf shall not, except in accordance with section 64 of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, charge fees for or seek payment or contributions (howsoever described) as a condition of-

an application for admission of a student to the school, or

the admission or continued enrolment of a student in the

18. Arrangements regarding students not attending religious instruction

This section must be completed by schools that provide religious instruction to students.

19. 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 reviewof that decision by the Board of Management prior to making an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act 1998.

Where an applicant has been refused admission due to a reason other than the school being oversubscribed, the applicant may request a reviewof 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 reviewof that decision by the Board of Management prior tomaking an appealunder 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 reviewof 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.

FRANCISAN COLLEGE GORMANSTON ANNUAL ADMISSION NOTICE FOR 2025/26

Application and Decision Dates for admission to 1^st Year for 2025/26

1.	The school will commence accepting applications for admission on the occurrence of the school’s Open Evening scheduled for 19^th September 2024	19^th September 2024
2.	The school will cease accepting applications for admission on 11/10/24 Three weeks after 19/09/2024	11^th October 2024
3.	Applicants will be notified in writing of the decision on their application by ** Must be within three weeks of 11/10/2024	7^thNovember2024
4.	Applicants must confirm acceptance of an offer of admission by	21^stNovember 2024

Failure by an applicant to accept an offer by the 21^stofNovember2024may result in the offer being withdrawn.

Application and Decision Dates for admission to Franciscan College Gormanston I 3 special classes for 2025/26

(If the school has more than one class that caters for different categories of SEN, details of the numbers of places for each of the classes must be provided.)

1.	The school will commence accepting applications for admission to the special class on	19^th September 2024
2.	The school shall cease accepting applications for admission to the special class on	11^th October 2024
3.	Applicants will be notified of the decision on their application for admission to the special class by 7^th November 2024. There are three special classes allocated to our school. Each of the three classes has places for six students. Places in the classes will be offered to students who meet the enrolment criteria. (See school ASD separate enrolment policy). Places are allocated and approved by the NCSE. (National Council for Special Education). Children who are enrolled in Teach Francis (special class) will also be enrolled formally within the mainstream school. A dual enrolment process is in operation. An offer of mainstream enrolment is provisional** until confirmation of enrolment has been received from the NCSE.	7^th November 2024
4.	Applicants must confirm acceptance of an offer of admission by	21^st November 2024

Failure by an applicant to accept an offer by 21^st November 2024 may result in the offer being withdrawn.

3. Number of places being made available in the 2025/26 school year:

The number of places being made available in 1^st year is	120
The number of residential places is (boarding schools only)	N/A
The number of non-residential places is (boarding schools only)	NIA
The number of places being made available in the special class catering for students with Autism is	N/A (as oversubscribed)

(If the school has more than one class that caters for different categories of SEN, details of the number of places for each of the classes must be provided.)

4. Number of places in 1st year for the 2024/25 school year which were offered and accepted before 1 February 2023

The total number of applications for admission received by the school for admission in the special class catering for students with Autism in the 2024/25 school year is eleven.

Breakdown of places allocated for Special Class for the 2024/25 school year:
Number of places available	1
Number of applications received	Follow admission criteria
Number of Offers made and accepted under each criteria	Criteria 1: 3 Criteria 2: 3 Criteria 3: N/A
Number of names placed on waiting list for the school year concerned	known once initial enrolment process concluded. (4)

Admissions Policy