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 17th September 2020. It is published on the school’s website and will be made available in hardcopy, on request, to any person who requests it.
Virtual Tour (scroll down for our 2021 Virtual Open Evening)
Catchment Area
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.
Categories of Special Educational Needs catered for in the school
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.
Code of Behaviour
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
Application Forms for school entrance are available from the School, or through the local national schools, following the school’s Open Night* as per the Annual Admission Notice.
Parents/Guardians must note, in a particular way, the closing date for receipt of completed Application Forms, Acceptance Forms and any other requested documentation.
Open Evening
An Open Night* 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.
The fully completed Application Form (Part 1) should be signed and submitted to the School Office by 14:00 on the closing date which is noted on the Application Form and the Annual Admission Notice and 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 applicants have been processed.
Please note: Proof of Postage will not be accepted as Proof of Receipt. It is therefore advised that Application Forms are hand-delivered. Posted Application Forms must be accompanied by a phone call in advance of the deadline, to confirm receipt of same.
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 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 parents/guardians to act with integrity. Parents/Guardians 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.
Right of Appeal
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 and Skills.
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.
Procedures for admission of students to other years and during the school year
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.
