Introduction
This Admission Policy (the “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 Malahide Community School (the “School”) has consulted with school staff, the school patrons and with parents/guardians of students attending the School.
The policy was approved by the school patrons on 19th January 2023. It is published on the school’s website and will be made available in hardcopy, on request, to any person who requests it.
The Deed of Trust for Community Schools places particular emphasis on the provision for children “in the locality”. With that in mind, pupils from the Malahide area, as specified in the map of our catchment area, are catered for as a priority, with applications from neighbouring areas being considered on the basis of the places we have available.
Consequently, we require accurate information from Parents/Guardians as to the location of their principal private residence at the time of application. False or misleading information will invalidate an application.
The catchment area is subject to periodic change and the map below shows the catchment area as of June 2021.
The School is committed, within its limited resources, to do all that is reasonable to accommodate the needs of students with disabilities or special needs. We strive to facilitate a smooth transfer from Primary to Post-Primary education and to provide supports for these students throughout their time in the School. The School is committed to helping all students reach their full potential. Support teachers work closely with parent(s)/guardian(s), other teachers, Year Heads, Management, Career Guidance, Chaplain and outside agencies.
Parents/Guardians who accept a place in Malahide Community School must familiarise themselves with this Admissions Policy and Admissions Criteria and the school’s Code of Behaviour. Parents/Guardians must sign that they have read our Code of Behaviour and support the school in its implementation. The Code of Behaviour can be found on the school website. A copy will be sent to all Parents/Guardians on offer of a place.
Application Forms for a school placement are completed online via the School website, following the school’s Open Evening, as per the Annual Admission Notice.
Please note: Parents/Guardians must note the closing dates and times for submission of completed Application Forms, Acceptance Forms and any other requested documentation.
The fully completed online Application Form, should be signed and submitted by the time and closing date which is noted on the digital Application Form, and on the Annual Admission Notice, and as agreed by the Board of Management (BOM) each year. Applications received after that date will be considered late for whatever reason and will only be considered after all other applications have been processed.
It is the sole responsibility of the parent(s)/guardian(s) to ensure that the required accompanying documentation, in accordance with the Admission Policy and the Admission Information Sheet, is submitted at time of application. Failure to do so may render the incomplete application null and void and the application may not be processed.
There is no obligation on the School authorities to process the Application before the closing date for receipt of applications.
An automated receipt will be issued on submission of the online Application Form.
Acknowledgement of receipt of a submitted Application is not confirmation of a placement in Malahide Community School.
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) applying for enrolment in the school must fill out the online school Application Form and provide proof of Principal Private Residence in accordance with the documentation specified on the Admission Information Sheet.
No mobile phone bills will be accepted.
Providing false information will automatically disqualify applicants from the process.
Note 1: Please note that a child’s offer of a place comes into effect on enrolment i.e. on the first day of the academic year, when they enter the school as a student of Malahide Community School. (See Education Welfare Act 2000, Section 2 (2) ).
Notifying Applicants of Decisions
As soon as is practicable, the Board of Management will make a decision in respect of the applications concerned and inform parent(s)/guardian(s), in writing, to the email address specified on the Application Form, within the timeline outlined in the Annual Admissions Notice.
Due to the large number of applications received, we regularly have to disappoint some applicants. To ensure fair distribution of places, we require parent(s)/guardian(s) to act with integrity. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) who provide false or misleading information (e.g. use an address which is not their Principal Private Residence at the time of application) will render their applications null and void.
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.
An Open Evening is held in September/October each year, during which time, the Principal will outline the enrolment procedure. It is important for prospective parent(s)/guardian(s) to attend this meeting.
Open Evening 2024 Booklet (click)
The parent(s)/guardian(s) 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.
The Board of Management 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.
Under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998, the parent(s)/guardian(s) 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.
Where an applicant has been refused admission due to the school being oversubscribed, the applicant must request a review of that decision by the Board of Management prior to making an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act 1998.
Please see our Admission Policy for further information.
The Board of Management will make every reasonable effort to facilitate a student seeking a transfer to the School. The School will consider requests for admission in other years and during the school year, subject to the maximum number of places prescribed and ratified by the Board of Management for each year group.
