Admissions Policy Ardscoil na mBráithre Cluain Meala 2019/2020
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Admissions Policy
Ardscoil na mBráithre
Cluain Meala
2019/2020
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© Ardscoil na mBráithre, Clonmel. Approved August 2011 and reviewed October 2017Definitions:
"the School" r efers to Clonmel High School, Kickham Street, Clonmel, County Tipperary, (or Ardscoil
na mBráithre, Cluain Meala, Condae Thiobraid Árann), a "recognised" Christian Brothers school at
Clonmel, County Tipperary.
"the current Admissions Policy" refers to the Admissions Policy (called the Policy) dealing with
applications for boys on or prior to the [date] for the forthcoming school academic year.
‘‘child’’ means a boy resident in the State who has not yet reached the reached the age of 18 years
and who will be eligible for post primary education in the School by being aged twelve (12 years) on
the 1st of January in the calendar year following the boy’s entry into 1st year in accordance with DES
requirements.
"The Patron" refers to the Trustees of the Christian Brothers schools in Ireland, namely the Edmund
Rice Schools Trust (ERST) based in Clonkeen Road. Section 15(2)(d) of the Education Act places a
legal requirement on the Board of Management of each school to “publish, in such a manner as the
Board with the agreement of the patron considers appropriate, the policy of the school concerning
admission to and participation in the school”.This agreement has been received from the Trustees for
2017/2018.
where parent is stated this also refers includes “guardians”.
“Parent” –
"the enrolment sub-committee" refers to the sub-committee appointed by the Board of
Management to handle applications in the current academic year, and such sub-committee shall
ordinarily comprise the school principal, the school deputy principal, and another nominee to be
named in advance by the Board of Management
References to "The locality” or to the “demographic area" or alternatively "the catchment
area" shall be taken to mean or refer to those Schools as defined by the list of "feeder schools" set
out on Schedule Two hereto, which is a comprehensive list of schools dependent on the School to
provide access to a reasonable number of post primary places for that (feeder) school in any one
academic year.
“feeder schools “r efers to those Schools set out in Schedule Two
"maximum eligibility" refers to those boys who have the greatest degree of eligibility for admission
to the School in accordance with the selection criteria described in this Policy.
The DES: refers to the Department of Education and Skills.
The Board of Management (or “the Board”) r efers to the Board of Management of the School
established under Section 14 of the Education Act 1998.
“the closing date” refers to the closing date for receipt of applications for enrolment for the
forthcoming School Year.
The "1998 Act" refers to the Education Act 1998.
Mission Statement
Ardscoil na mBráithre, founded by the Christian Brothers as a Christian community, aims to promote
the personal, spiritual, physical, creative and academic development of its students. The support of
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© Ardscoil na mBráithre, Clonmel. Approved August 2011 and reviewed October 2017the wider school community, and in particular all parents/guardians, is necessary to promote this
vision.
This Admissions Policy seeks to reflect that Mission within the resources available to the School.
Introduction
The Admissions Policy is published by the Board in accordance with the provisions of the Section 15
(d) of Education Act 1998 and all related legislative and regulatory requirements.
This Policy is intended to reflect and to give full effect to:
❑ the above Mission Statement
❑ The rights and obligations of the Patron as set out in the Education Act(s) and related
legislation.
The Board wishes to clarify that the current Policy is prepared within the context of:
❑ the parameters of all guidelines, regulations and programmes currently made available by
the DES and/or by the Patron
❑ the funding and resources currently made available to the School by the DES and from any
other sources.
The High School admissions policy is informed by the Edmund Rice Schools Trust Charter and there
are 5 key elements guiding the policy. These are:
● Nurturing faith, Christian spirituality and Gospel-based values
● Promoting partnership in the school community
● Excelling in teaching and learning
● Creating a caring school community
● Inspiring transformational leadership In Edmund Rice Secondary School
The Edmund Rice Schools Trust Charter values are underpinned by a philosophy of education that
has at its centre the unique dignity of the human person as a child of God. We see the interaction of
people from different backgrounds—spiritual, ethnic, language, special needs—as a gift that will
enrich the community of the school and promote the growth and learning of all. We value each
student and their family. We welcome and are sensitive to each one, seeking to respond to their
individual needs through:
● The Curriculum: We provide a broad range of subject areas, encouraging students to take
increasing responsibility for their own learning and decision-making.
● Pastoral Care: We support and challenge our students to make the most of their time in
school, providing programmes of language support, help with study, and personal counselling
where necessary and developing links with family, working in partnership with parents and
guardians.
● Faith Development: We have a special commitment to development of the spiritual
dimension of the lives of our members. Faith formation and the Religious Education
programme play a key role.
● Students follow the State programme in Religious Education which is suitable for students of
all faiths and those of no faith
● The school celebrates the major Christian feasts, and the major feasts of other faiths are
acknowledged and celebrated in an appropriate way.
● We hope that the gospel values inherent in the culture of the school will be internalised in the
values, attitudes and behaviours of all members of the school community, and will find
expression in their respect and care for one another.
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© Ardscoil na mBráithre, Clonmel. Approved August 2011 and reviewed October 2017The School supports the principles of inclusiveness, equality of access and participation in the school,
and parental choice in relation to enrolment and applications for admission to the School. In and
subject to the context outlined above, the School expresses respect for diversity of traditions, values,
beliefs, languages and ways of life within the community it serves today.
Parents seeking admission of their son to the School are invited to carefully read this policy
and to recognise that this policy:
ets out the kind of School and Education they are seeking to admit their son to.
- Firstly s
- Secondly provides the basis of dealing with their Application.
Accordingly, parents/guardians in completing their application to the School:
Duly recognize and commit themselves accordingly on their own part (and on behalf of their
son) to the School ethos and Mission, in the event that their son is admitted as a student to the
School.
Duly recognize and accept this Policy as the basis for treating their son’s application for
admission to the School.
Duly accept, acceptance of the High School Code of Behaviour is a condition of admission to
the school (copy of behaviour policy enclosed with application form).
General Information
School Information: Name: CBS High School, Clonmel
Telephone: (052) 6124459
Email: info@ cbshighschoolclonmel.ie
Website: www.cbshighschoolclonmel.ie
The School is a Roman Catholic Voluntary Secondary School for boys only under the trusteeship of
ERST.
Staff and Resources:
At present there are 53 permanent whole time teachers in the school
Number of Students, Exams and Resources
There are presently 707 boys attending the school. Students are prepared for the DES Junior
Certificate and Leaving Certificate. A Transition Year Programme and a Leaving Certificate Vocational
Programme are also offered (the criteria for entry to these programmes are available from the school
office).
The financial and teaching resources of the school are provided by a combination of DES grants,
voluntary contributions, fund-raising and teacher allocations.
Implementation of the school plan and school policy must have due regard to resources and funding
available.
Regulation:
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© Ardscoil na mBráithre, Clonmel. Approved August 2011 and reviewed October 2017The School operates within the regulations laid down by the DES and follows the curricular
programmes prescribed by the DES. These may be amended from time to time in accordance with
Sections 9 and 30 of the Education Act 1998 and the regulatory and statutory requirements arising
from the Education Acts and all related legislation.
The Board of Management must comply with DES guidelines in relation to class size, staffing
provisions, accommodation and the health and welfare of children, which also affect the number of
new enrolments that the School may admit in any one year.
The Board of Management endeavours to carry out its duties in accordance with section 15(1) of the
Education Act 1998, related legislation and any DES or Patron guidelines c urrently available.
Structure of the Board of Management:
There are four nominees of the Patron - one of whom acts as Chairperson. There are two nominees
of parents and a further two nominees of the teaching staff. The principal acts as the Secretary to the
Board but is not a member of the Board.
General information with respect to Admissions:
The Board of Management has agreed that 140 places are available for new applicants annually (this
is figure is based on accommodation, class sizes, staffing, funding etc.) and while it is difficult to be
certain of the number of boys that will apply in any one year parents/guardians should be aware (on
current information available to the School Authorities) that there may be more applications than
places available which in effect means that each year a number of applicants in any one year may not
be successful i n their application.
Accordingly, parents/guardians are well advised firstly, to pursue and to keep all and every
educational/admission option available open to their son.
Secondly, parents/guardians should be aware that the School, in order to allocate places will apply
the selection criteria referred to in this Policy and in the admission/application form, in the manner
explained in this policy, and the School shall apply same in accordance with its mission statement, the
law and the recommendations and guidelines of the Patron and the DES as and where arising.
Enrolment Policy
The Board of Management appoints a subcommittee of three people to handle the applications and
enrolments on behalf of the School. The subcommittee consists of the school principal, the school
deputy-principal and one nominee of the Board of Management. The subcommittee shall take direct
responsibility for processing all applications and the Lottery in the manner described below.
First Round
The school will examine all applications r eceived on or prior to the closing date in the first round
review t o determine which applicants have maximum eligibility in accordance with the School's
selection criteria mentioned in this Policy and the mission statement and the ethos of the school.
Second Round
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© Ardscoil na mBráithre, Clonmel. Approved August 2011 and reviewed October 2017All or any remaining places not allocated in the first round shall be allocated in accordance with the
lottery procedure mentioned below. Unsuccessful applicants shall be put on a waiting list. This waiting
list will expire on the last day of September in the year of application.
Rationale
The rationale of the Admissions Policy is to fairly and transparently allocate the available places in
accordance with the mission statement, the guidelines and recommendations of the Patron and the
DES where arising, and the selection criteria and lottery referred to below.
The School’s Goals Generally
The primary goal of the School is to fulfil its Mission Statement in accordance with the Law, Patron or
DES guidelines and the resources currently available to it. This Admissions Policy is intended to
reflect that primary goal and in this context the School aims to:
❑ Provide a fair system of enrolment for boys.
❑ Make reasonable provision and accommodation for students, including students with
disability and special educational needs in accordance with relevant legislation, with due
regard to the efficient use of resources provided by the DES.
❑ Allow for full participation by all students, subject to resources being available and allowing
for health, safety and welfare implications
❑ Transparently allocate those limited places in accordance with its Mission Statement and the
selection criteria mentioned below.
The School’s Goals on dealing with Admissions
When dealing with Admissions where there are a limited number of places, the School seeks to fulfil
the above goals in the following manner, namely to allocate the number of places available:
• Firstly on the basis of its Mission as a Roman Catholic school;
• Secondly on the basis of supporting the family ethos within education by providing education
services for the children of families who already have, or have had, a brother or father of the applicant
attend the School for his post primary education. This also extends to the son of a current staff
member.
• And thirdly to make reasonable provision and accommodation for boys within its own locality or
demographic area, including students with disability and special educational needs, in accordance
with the resources provided by the DES and otherwise available to it.
Selection Criteria
First round criteria:
In the first round, the School shall firstly select from all of the applications submitted that have
maximum eligibility in accordance with the following criteria:
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© Ardscoil na mBráithre, Clonmel. Approved August 2011 and reviewed October 2017Places will be offered to boys whose parents/guardians are seeking to submit their son to a
Roman Catholic Education in accordance with the mission statement and Christian Ethos of
the school as the following. Ardscoil na mBráithre, founded by the Christian Brothers as a
Christian community, aims to promote the personal, spiritual, physical, creative and academic
development of its students. The support of the wider school community, and in particular all
parents/guardians, is necessary to promote this vision of the Edmund Rice Schools Charte
which seeks to:
● Inspire Leadership
● Promote Partnership
● Create Community
● Excellence in Teaching & Learning
● Nurture Faith.
in the following order of priority:
❑ Boys who already have a brother who attended or is in attendance at the School, or who is
the child of a past pupil, or the child of a permanent member of staff. To satisfy the child of a
past pupil criterion the applicant must be the biological or legally adopted child of a past pupil.
It should also be noted that being a family member does not meet the father or brother
criterion.
❑ Boys who attended for primary school education at one of the schools listed in Schedule Two,
being a school within the locality or demographic area of the School
❑ Boys (living in catchment area) who are diagnosed with ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) and
who meet criteria agreed for the ASD class (as outlined in Schedule 3). The number of places
available in the ASD class will be offered first and the total number of remaining places will be
subject to the overall annual limit of 140.
Second round
With respect to all or any remaining places not allocated or accepted in the first round, the lottery will
determine the order in which same shall be filled. The lottery will be monitored by an independent
external person.
Application Procedures
Application to the School shall be in accordance with the application form known as "Schedule One"
and in accordance with this Policy. .
An advertisement may also be placed in local newspapers advising the public generally of our Open
Night, the application dates and where application forms can be obtained.
Otherwise it is made clear that application forms are freely available from the school office. The
application form is required to be returned by 4pm Monday 19th November 2018.
Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that application forms for their sons are
received by the school and parents/guardians who return application forms by post/courier
must retain proof of postage/delivery.
The School is obliged to make it clear that late applications automatically go to the end of the waiting
list when places are then dealt with in order of application.
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© Ardscoil na mBráithre, Clonmel. Approved August 2011 and reviewed October 2017The Board is not responsible for any omission(s) made by a parent/guardian on the application form.
If any application is missing information or contains inaccurate information, it will be returned
to parents when it is considered, after the closing date for applications and will be treated as a
late application if re-submitted. In addition, information and/or reports received after the closing
date will not be considered by the Board.
The School must also make it clear that DES rules state that secondary school students must be
of January in the calendar year following the boy’s entry into
aged twelve (12 years) on the 1st
1st year.
The School must require that a Birth Certificate be produced with the Acceptance Form in order to
comply with the above DES requirement.
In the event that a boy is allocated a place, the School makes it clear that it is conditional upon the
prospective student’s parents/guardians attending a meeting at the School and the prospective
student sitting an assessment test. This assessment test has no bearing on the admission of a
student.
In the event that the student’s parent(s)/guardian do(es) not attend the meeting, or the
prospective student does not sit the assessment test, the prospective student may (at the
discretion of the Board) lose his allocated place.
Places are allocated as soon as is practicable but not later than twenty one (21) school working days
after the closing date for receipt of applications.
The final decision regarding all enrolment rests with Board of Management.
Appeal Procedures with Respect to Enrolments
An appeal against a refusal to enrol an applicant should be made in the first instance to the board of
management of the school. The appeal must be made in writing.
Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 provides for an appeal to the Secretary General of the
Department of Education and Skills (DES). In general, such an appeal must be made within 42 days
of the notification by the board of its refusal to enrol. Full details of these procedures can be found on
the DES website.
Transfers from other Second level Schools
Students (boys only) may transfer into the school at any time subject to:
♦ The school’s admissions policy
♦ The school being satisfied with the reason for the transfer. Information will be requested from the
student's former school concerning attendance, educational progress, subject choices, term
reports, disabilities, special needs & reasons for transfer.
♦ The transfer will not impact negatively on existing students and staff
♦ Receipt of prescribed written confidential reference from previous school
♦ The school regarding the move is in the best interest of the student
♦ Availability of appropriate accommodation and staff
♦ Curriculum provision being suitable for the student and the availability of subject options
♦ Compliance with DES and School subject requirements
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© Ardscoil na mBráithre, Clonmel. Approved August 2011 and reviewed October 2017♦ Consultation with the Educational Welfare Officer, if appropriate.
The Board will require an application, in writing, from the student and his parents/guardians detailing
any positive contributions the student can make to the school. The Board of Management also
reserves the right to refuse an application in exceptional circumstances which might include an
established record of poor behaviour.
Students with Special Educational Needs
Ardscoil na mBráithre welcomes students with special needs and will use the resources, both financial
and personnel, provided by the DES to make reasonable accommodation for students with disabilities
or special educational needs so that these students are free to participate in the life in the school in so
far as is reasonably practicable. The Special Educational Needs policy outlines how Ardscoil na
mBráithre will attempt to enable all students to belong to an educational community without prejudice
and within which individual difference is celebrated.
While recognising and fully supporting the rights of parents/guardians to have a school of their choice
for their son, the ability of the Board of Management to accept students with particular needs may be
dependent on the supply of additional resources (such as special needs assistant, specialised
furniture or equipment, transport, etc.), suitable to the needs of the individual student, being supplied
by the DES.
Ardscoil na mBráithre welcomes applications from students with special educational needs unless the
nature and degree of those needs is such that to enrol the student concerned would be inconsistent
with both the best interests of the student concerned and the effective provision of education for the
other students with whom the student concerned is to be educated.
The Board of Management must be made aware of any special needs as early as possible, so that
these needs can be assessed and addressed. It may also take some time for the DES to process
applications so early contact by parents/guardians allows the School to request (in a timely manner)
from the DES any additional resources deemed necessary
Parents/guardians are obliged to outline the details of a child’s special educational needs on the
Application Form. A copy of the applicant’s medical/psychological report/individual education plan (if
available) should be included with application form. Failure to provide the Board of Management with
relevant information about special educational needs may (at the discretion of the Board of
Management) result in the loss of an allocated place.
The School, having gathered all relevant information and professional documentation, assesses how
the needs of the student may be met. Contact may also be made with the Special Education Needs
Organiser (SENO) regarding special needs resources to which the student may be entitled. The
School may request a meeting with the parents of the student to discuss the application and the
School’s capacity to meet the student’s individual needs. Likewise, the parents/guardians of the
student may request a meeting with the School to discuss the student’s educational or other needs.
Rights of Board to Refuse
The Board of Management reserves the right to refuse the application for admission in exceptional
circumstances.
Such an exceptional case could include the following:
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© Ardscoil na mBráithre, Clonmel. Approved August 2011 and reviewed October 2017● The student has special needs such that, even with additional resources available from the
DES, the school cannot meet such needs and/or provide the student with an appropriate
education
● In the opinion of the Board of Management, the student poses an unacceptable risk to other
students, to school staff or to school property.
Review Procedures
The Board of Management will review the Admissions Policy annually in line with evolving legislation
and practice, including the Education Acts, the Equal Status Act and all related statutory and
regulatory requirements.
Role of school under the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003
Certain sensitive personal data which the DES asks post-primary schools to furnish via the “annual
post-primary school October return /examination entries” process requires the written consent of
parents/guardians in order for the school to record this information and for the High School to forward
this information to the DES for the purposes outlined in DES circular 0047/2010 and 0023/2016 A
data consent form will be included with the documentation for successful applicants. Further
information regarding data protection & GDPR is available on the High School website
www.cbshighschoolclonmel.ie or on the DES website www.education.ie
The Board of Management will review this policy annually in consultation with the
Edmund Rice Schools Trust and this Policy has been ratified by both on Oct 2018.
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© Ardscoil na mBráithre, Clonmel. Approved August 2011 and reviewed October 2017Schedule One
Application Form
Schedule Two
Feeder Schools
SS Peter & Pauls’ Kickham St, Clonmel
St. Oliver’s Primary School Clonmel
St. Mary’s Primary School Irishtown Clonmel
The Church of Ireland Parochial School (St. Mary’s) Clonmel
Kilcash County Tipperary Primary School
Ballymacabry County Waterford Primary School
Kilsheelan County Tipperary Primary School
Newcastle County Tipperary Primary School
Powerstown Clonmel County Tipperary Primary School
Lisronagh County Tipperary Primary School
Clerihan County Tipperary Primary School
Ardfinnan County Tipperary Primary School
Killurney County Tipperary Primary School
Rathkeevin County Tipperary Primary School
Gaelscoil Clonmel Primary School
Grange County Tipperary Primary School
Killusty County Tipperary Primary School.
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© Ardscoil na mBráithre, Clonmel. Approved August 2011 and reviewed October 2017Schedule 3
ASD Class
The special class for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been developed with the
cooperation and support of the NCSE and the DES. The class will cater for the catchment area of
CBS High School and can accommodate a maximum of 18 students (boys) who have a diagnosis of
ASD.
• DES policy dictates that all ability levels should be catered for within the ASD class. The Board
of Management supports such a policy unless the nature and degree of the needs of the student are
such that to enrol the student concerned would be inconsistent with both the best interests of the
student concerned and the effective provision of education for other students with whom the student
concerned is to be educated. Students with severe behavioural difficulties will not be enrolled.
• Parents who wish to enrol their son into first year should make contact with the Principal of CBS
High School on or prior to the Open Evening of the academic year when the child is in 6th class
Primary School. Applications for the class must be returned to the High School office on or before the
closing date for first year applications. The school is obliged to make it clear that no late applications
can be considered for the class particularly when places for first year are oversubscribed and that a
student wishing to enrol in the ASD class must have attended for his primary school education at one
of the schools listed in Schedule Two, being a school within the locality or demographic area of the
School.
• Parents/guardians must provide all relevant documents pertaining to their child’s diagnosis and to
their previous schooling/education. All applicants for the ASD special classes within the High School
(irrespective of whether school transport is required or not) must have a recommendation from a
psychologist/psychiatrist outlining why a special class placement is appropriate/suitable to meet the
student’s needs. Such a recommendation will satisfy the Board that the student is
appropriately/suitably placed in the ASD special classes. The diagnosis must be in accordance with
DSM IV or ICD 10 for resourcing and documentation must also have a recommendation for a “special
class placement”. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to have all relevant reports submitted
by the closing date for applications.
• Where a report outlining the student’s care or educational needs is deemed inadequate or out of
date the Principal/Board of Management may insist that the family obtain an up to date educational
and or psychological report.
• As places within the ASD class are limited (total of 18) and if the number of applicants exceeds
the number of places, the Principal and Special Class Coordinator will establish the levels of need of
each applicant and will offer places accordingly.
• Participation in the ASD class will be subject to on-going review.
Transfers from other second level schools to the ASD class will be in line with the requirements of the
High School’s admissions policy and applicants also satisfying the criteria for ASD class.
A decision to enrol a student in the ASD class will be made by the Board of Management and a
decision by the Board is final.
* The annual availability of places in the ASD class is subject to the overall limit of 140 places for new
applicants.
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