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Thomond Community College

Pobal Choláiste Thuamhumhan

Thomond Community
College

Admissions Policy

Reviewed June 2019

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Introduction

Thomond Community College is established under the auspices of the Limerick and Clare
Education & Training Board and is funded by the Department of Education and Skills. It is an
Amalgamation of the Salesian Secondary School and St. Nessan’s Community College.

Thomond Community College is a multi-denominational, co-educational school. It is

comprehensive in its intake and in its curricular provision.

Motto

The school motto ACE- Appreciate, Celebrate, Educate is a clear statement that we value
and appreciate students in our care, we celebrate and recognise the achievements and events
in their lives and we educate, in a holistic and person centered way, developing the
intellectual, moral, and social capabilities of our students.

Mission Statement

Thomond Community College aims to create a welcoming, caring, positive and supportive
learning environment. We will endeavour to facilitate the development of the human, spiritual
and academic potential in every student. This will provide students with a deep sense of
respect for themselves and others, thereby enabling them to become responsible members of
society.

Rationale

The Admissions Policy strives to provide fair, transparent and effective criteria for the
admission of students to Thomond Community College, in compliance with legislative
requirements.

The Admissions Policy of Thomond Community College has been drawn up in accordance
with the

 Education Act 1998 Section 15 (2.d.)

 The Education (Welfare) Act 2000
 Equal Status Act 2000
 VEC Education (Amendment) Act 2001
 EPSEN Act 2004

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Within the context and parameters of DES regulations and programmes and the funding and
resources available, Thomond Community College supports the principles of:

 Parental/Student choice
 Inclusiveness
 Equality of access to and participation in Thomond Community College
 Respect for diversity of traditions, values, beliefs, languages and ways of life in society
 Ability of Thomond Community College to provide an appropriate education for
individual applicants as resources are provided
 The resources are provided to make reasonable provision and accommodation for the
student
 Parent(s)/Guardian(s), Students and Staff will have all necessary information to ensure
each student will have his/her needs met
 Provision of relevant information as required by the Department of Education and Skills
 Admission is open to students of all ethnic groups
 Admission is open to students of all or no religious belief

Thomond Community College welcomes all students for whom Thomond Community
College can provide an appropriate education and aims to provide an integrated education for
all students.

Enrolment of First Year Students

Thomond Community College is a participant, along with all other Post Primary Schools in
the Limerick Area, in the Common Application System (CAS). All applications for enrolment
in First Year are processed through this system.

Each year the Board of Management will decide in advance the number of First Year students
for whom Thomond Community College can provide an appropriate education, having regard
to the facilities, personnel, and resources available in the college.

For the 2020/2021 school year, the maximum enrolment for 1st Year is 100.

Our procedures for application are in keeping with the characteristic spirit of Thomond
Community College as expressed in the Mission Statement and they comply with all relevant
current legislation.

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All students wishing to enrol must complete the CAS Application Form.

Applicants will be offered a place subject to:

 Meeting eligibility requirements

 Compliance with the enrolment procedures
 The availability of places

Application forms are available from the Thomond Community College Office or from the
student’s Primary School.

First Year Students who are eligible for Admission must:

 Have reached the required age of 12 years on the 30 th September in the calendar year of
the child’s entry into First Year
 Have completed sixth class standard in Primary School, or equivalent
 Be willing to accept the Thomond Community College ethos
 Be willing, with Parent(s)/Guardian(s) to accept Thomond Community College’s Code
of Behaviour and sign a form to confirm this.

In the event of Thomond Community College having more applications than places
available, the offer of a place will be determined in compliance with the following order

1. Siblings of existing students

2. Students from our feeder schools (see appendix 1)
3. Children of staff
4. Thereafter on a lottery basis. (In the event of a lottery the Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of the
relevant students will be invited to witness the lottery. The lottery will be carried out in
Thomond Community College under the direction of the Principal).

Enrolment Procedures for incoming First Years

 An Open Night will be held in Thomond Community College for Parent(s)/Guardian(s)

and prospective students for 2020/2021 on September 25th 2019 at 7pm. This meeting
includes an address from the Principal, an opportunity to view the facilities and to meet
with management and staff.
 Prior to the Open Night, the Principal and/or Deputy Principal visits the primary schools
served by Thomond Community College to meet with the Principal and the teachers and
students of 5th and 6th Classes.
 Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are informed of The Open Night through local press, on Thomond
Community College website, in local newsletters, local churches, feeder Primary Schools
and by word of mouth.

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 An invitation to the Open Night is also extended to Principals and Staff of Primary
Schools served by Thomond Community College and to representatives of businesses
and industries in the areas served by Thomond Community College.
 A Common Application System form must be completed and submitted to the Principal.
 Applications for entry to the Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Classroom must be
made as an additional application to the Common Application System.
Parent(s)/Guardian(s), on submitting an application for entry into 1 st Year, must inform
the Principal that they wish to have their application considered for entry to the ASD
Classroom (see ASD Classroom section for further details)
 Where a student is in the Care of the HSE, a meeting between Thomond Community
College, the HSE, the Foster Carers and any other relevant statutory stakeholders will be
held in advance of enrolment to ascertain if Thomond Community College can meet the
student’s needs.
 In the case of students with special needs, the Board, having received the relevant
information, will make a decision and inform the Parent(s)/Guardian(s) in writing of the
decision.
 Exemption from the study of Irish must be in accordance with the Department of
Education and Skills guidelines
 The closing date for the receipt of Application Forms for 1 st Yr 2020/2021 is Monday
13th January 2020 at 12:30pm. Application forms must be returned by this date.
Applications received after this date will be marked “Late Application” and will not be
included in the normal selection process. They will however be presented for
consideration to all the schools listed on the forms with available capacity at the end of
the process.
 The decision regarding enrolment will be posted to parents/guardians on Tuesday
28th January 2020.
 An offer of a place in the school must be accepted/refused by Wednesday 5 th
February 2020 at 12:00pm.
 Prior to the Registration Night, parents/guardians will receive a pack containing the
Thomond Community College Registration Form, a Book Rental Scheme Contract, a
Provisional Subject Options Form, a Policy Booklet and a Policy Declaration Form.
These completed documents must be returned to the school on the Common Registration
Night.
 Additional information including any current Educational, Social, Behavioural or
Psychological reports, evidence of exemption from Irish, etc., are required where
appropriate. An original Birth Certificate will also be requested. A copy of this is taken
for our files and the original returned to Parent(s)/Guardian(s).
 The Common Registration Night will take place in the school on Tuesday 25 th
February 2020. All students taking up their place in Thomond Community College
must register on that night.
 An Assessment Evaluation Day takes place in March for students who have been offered
and have accepted a school place for the next academic year. The purpose of this test is

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 to identify the educational standard of the child for admission in first year. The results are
not used to allocate classes or a school place.
 An information meeting for Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of 1 st Years students takes place in
September/October in the first academic year. This meeting includes a presentation on
subject options for Junior Cycle.

Application to transfer into Thomond Community College

1) Transfer application for the start of an academic year.

Please Note:
 Transfer applications will be considered at the next scheduled Board meeting.
 Transfer into 3rd Yr and 6th yr will only be considered where there is a direct subject
match.

The Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of students requesting a transfer from another post-primary school

to commence in Thomond CC at the start of the school year, will be supplied with this
Admissions Policy and are required to:
 Complete a transfer Application Form
 Agree to their current Principal filling in a Student Enquiry Form
 Provide copies of two school reports from the previous school
 Meet the Principal/Deputy Principal accompanied by the student to discuss previous
progress and on-going commitment to study and good behaviour
 Be willing to accept Thomond Community College ethos
 Be willing to accept Thomond Community College’s Code of Behaviour.
Confirmation in writing, is required, that Parent(s)/Guardian(s) and the student
accept the Code of Behaviour.
 Where the student is in the Care of the HSE a meeting between Thomond
Community College, the HSE, the Foster Carers and any other relevant statutory
stakeholders will take place in advance of enrolment to ascertain if Thomond
Community College can meet the students’ needs
 Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of students with Educational, Social, Behavioural or
Psychological reports must submit such reports with their application to transfer
 The student must be under the age of 18 years on the 1st September in the school year
in which they apply to commence.

Subject to class sizes, subject choices and available resources, Thomond Community
College will make every reasonable effort to facilitate a student seeking a transfer to our
school. Depending on academic ability/progress, consideration may be given to
repeating the academic year (subject to DES clearance).

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2) Transfer application after the school year has commenced:

Please Note:
 Transfer applications will be considered at the next scheduled Board meeting.
 Transfer into 3rd Yr and 6th Yr will only be considered where there is a direct subject
match.

Transfer applications after the school year has commenced will only be considered in the
following cases:
 The applicant has changed their place of residency thus preventing the student from
continuing to attend the school they are enrolled in at the time of application, AND,
Thomond Community College is their nearest post-primary school.
 The applicant does not have a school place.
 Where an applicant is enrolled in another second-level school, the application will be
considered on the basis that a place may be offered from the commencement of the next
academic year.
All Transfer applications will be considered by applying the following criteria:

Whether or not a transfer application:

 Is in agreement with Thomond Community College Admissions Policy
 Is in the best interest of the student.
 In the best interest of Thomond Community College
 Is of educational benefit to the student
 Has made available all relevant information from the former school
 Necessitates a consultation with the Educational Welfare Officer.

With the best interest of the student in mind and considering the issues relating to the transfer
which may include subject choices, class sizes and available resources, the Board may decide
to refuse admission at the time of application and advise his/her Parent(s)/Guardian(s) to
reapply if they so wish at the start of the following school year.

The Board may refuse the transfer application

 If the board is satisfied that there is a threat of violence towards another student or
member of staff in their current school
 If it is satisfied that there is a history of the applicant involvement in violent behaviour
toward staff or students
 If the board is satisfied that there is a history of theft
 If the Board is satisfied that the transfer is not in the best interest of the student
 If the board is satisfied that the transfer is not in the best interest of Thomond
Community College
 If the board is satisfied that there is a history of bullying towards other students or staff
 If the board is satisfied that there is any history of possession, using and/or supplying
illegal substances to others

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 If there is any history of sexual assault.
The board may consider other issues that it deems relevant in making its final judgement on
the transfer application.

Application - Transition Year

For entry into Transition Year students are required to:

 Complete third year
 Have a commitment to good behaviour, hard work and study
 Be committed to applying him/herself fully to Transition Year and to what it has to offer(
e.g. to co-operate and participate in all events)
 Have an excellent school attendance record in Junior Cycle

Students who wish to be considered for Transition Year will be required to complete an
application form and may be required to sit an interview. A list of successful candidates will
be compiled.

A letter will be issued to these students’ Parent(s)/Guardian(s) offering a place in Transition

Year.

The Parent(s)/Guardian(s) and student will then have to accept or decline the offer of a place
and will be obliged to sign a contract, confirming that they agree to participate in all TY
activities and programmes.

Students’ suitability for Transition Year and the suitability of the programme to the students
will be considered during the application and interview process. Students who are
unsuccessful in their application for Transition Year have the right to appeal this decision to
the Principal. They should appeal within seven days of the refusal of a place in Transition
Year.

Transfer into Transition Year

Generally, due to internal demand, Thomond Community College can only accommodate
students from within Thomond Community College for Transition Year.
Applications to transfer into Transition Year, from other schools, will only be considered if
places are available after the senior cycle process has ended. Transfer applications will be
considered as above.

Requests to repeat a year

Repeat Leaving Certificate Students

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Applicants who completed their Leaving Certificate in Thomond Community College will be
interviewed by the Deputy Principal to assess their suitability for repeating.

Thomond Community College will not accept applications from students from other
schools to repeat their Leaving Certificate in Thomond CC.

Requests to repeat a year other than Leaving Certificate.

Applications to repeat a year will be considered in accordance with the criteria set out in the
Department of Education Circular Letter M2/95 Repeat of a Year of Post-Primary.
Applications should be submitted by March 31st each year.

Special Education Needs (SEN)

The Board of Management of Thomond Community College welcomes students with special
educational needs including exceptionally able or talented students. It is our policy to meet
with the Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of incoming students with special needs, accompanied by the
student himself/herself, well in advance of admission to assess the child’s particular needs. To
assess the needs of these students, Thomond Community College accesses the student’s
records from primary schools. This may involve requesting a copy of the student’s
medical/psychological or individual educational report if available. Thomond Community
College may deem it necessary to request immediate assessment in order to assist it in
establishing the educational requirements of the student relevant to his/her special needs.
Through L.C.E.T.B., Thomond Community College makes early application to the
Department of Education and Skills for appropriate resources e.g. special needs assistant,
specialised equipment transport etc. Where adequate resources are not forthcoming from the
DES, Thomond Community College may have to postpone admission until the DES puts
such resources in place. The Board of Management will do all it possibly can to identify,
plan and provide for a student with special needs or for a student with a disability seeking
admission to Thomond Community College.

The Board is aware of its responsibility under Section 9 of the Education Act 1998 to:

Provide education to a student which is appropriate to their abilities and needs and to ensure
that the educational needs of all students, including those with a disability or other special
educational needs, are identified and provided for,

The Board is also aware that the Equal Status Act, 2000 prohibits discrimination on the
grounds of disability. The Education Act 1998 and the Equal Status Act, 2000 define
disability as:

 The total or partial absences of a person’s bodily or mental functions, including the
absence of a part of a person’s body
 The presence in the body of organisms causing, or likely to cause, chronic disease or
illness
 The malfunction, malformation or disfigurement of a part of a person’s body
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 A condition or malfunction which results in a person learning differently from a person
without the condition or malfunction, or
 A condition, disease or illness which affects a person’s thought processes, perception of
reality, emotions or judgement or which results in disturbed behaviour.
Apart from any legal responsibilities, the Board accepts that it has a moral and social
responsibility to promote inclusiveness and integration in the College. The principles of
inclusivity and integration underpin the admission policy for SEN students in the College.

The Board of Management of Thomond Community College welcomes applications from

students with special educational needs. The Board will strive to ensure that an education
appropriate to their needs is provided for pupils with special educational needs. It will seek
to:

 Identify the needs of pupils

 Acquire the necessary resources
 Do all that is reasonable to accommodate the needs of a person with special needs.

The application process for a special needs pupil will be the same as that of any other
applicant. However, in order to assess the needs of a Special Educational Need student the
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) will be requested to provide a copy of the student’s educational,
medical, or where appropriate, Psychological reports. If the student has not been previously
assessed, the written consent of the Parent(s)/Guardian(s) for a test will be required. Failure
to provide such permission may result in the refusal of permission to enrol in Thomond
Community College.

In order to expedite Board requests to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) for
facilities and resources for special needs pupils, the Board will seek to identify applications,
by late February, of the year of entry of First Year students. The Board encourages
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) to submit applications earlier if possible.

Thomond Community College reserves the right to refuse enrolment to any student in
exceptional cases. Such an exceptional case could arise where either:

 The student has special needs such that, even with additional resources available from
the Department of Education and Skills, Thomond Community College 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 the staff or to Thomond Community College property.

The Parent(s)/Guardian(s) or a student over eighteen years has the right to appeal a refusal to
enrol to Limerick & Clare ETB. This appeal should be lodged with the ETB within fourteen
calendar days.

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Thomond Community College will use the resources, both financial and personnel, provided
by the Department of Education and Skills, to make reasonable provision and
accommodation for students with disabilities or special educational needs up to a nominal
cost so that these students are free to participate in the life of Thomond Community College
in so far as is reasonable practicable. While recognising and fully supporting
Parent(s)/Guardian(s)’ rights to have a school of their choice for their students, Thomond
Community College’s ability to accept students with particular needs is dependent on the
supply of resources, suitable to the needs of the individual student.

The Board of Management needs to be aware of any special needs as early as possible, so that
these needs can be assessed and addressed if possible.

In making provision for special needs students the following information is required.

Has the student had access to any of the following resources:-

 Special Needs Assistant or Classroom Assistant

 Special Class
 Help, for specific needs, from any Resource Teacher
 Assistance with behavioural modification
 Psychological assessment. Report to be provided
 Any additional resources to help with their special needs
 Help in areas including, visual impairment, hearing impairment, general learning
disability or emotional disturbance
 Any resource in relation to travel or mobility, etc.

If an expert report is provided, it should include a workable strategy for addressing the needs,
allowing for the resources available.

The Board of Management, having gathered all relevant information and professional
documentation, assesses how the needs of the special needs students can be met.

Final confirmation of a place may in exceptional cases be given when the Department of
Education and Skills/ Thomond Community College confirm that the necessary resources are
in place.

N.B. It may take some time for the Department of Education and Skills to process such
applications. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are strongly advised to inform Thomond Community
College as early as possible and discuss their particular situation well in advance of making
an application.

Policy for Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Classroom

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An ASD Admissions Committee will be established by the Board of Management to process
applications for enrolment in the ASD Class. Applications will only be considered in the year
of entry of the candidate to our school i.e. 1st Year.
Applications for entry to the ASD Classroom must be made as an additional application to
the Common Application System. Parent(s)/Guardian(s), on submitting an application for
entry into 1st Year, must inform the Principal, in writing, that they wish to have their
application considered for entry to the ASD Classroom. The Principal will inform the
applicant of the procedures for enrolment and will seek completion of the necessary
documentation, etc. (see Enrolment Procedures for the ASD Classroom).
The Admissions Committee will review the psychological assessment of the child and will
make a recommendation to the Board of Management for enrolment in the ASD classroom.
The members of the ASD Admissions Committee will be – Principal, Deputy Principal,
designated ASD Teacher, SEN Co-ordinator and the applicants dedicated
Psychologist/Psychiatrist. The recommendation of the ASD Committee is subject to Board
approval.

Criteria for Enrolment to the ASD Classroom

• Each child should be verbal and have a diagnosis of mild to moderate autism
• The unit will only cater for students who are 12 years of age or more and less
than 18 years of age on the 1st September of the school year in which they apply to
commence.
• Under guidelines from the Department of Education and Skills the number of
places in the Autism Class is limited to six students
• Applications for enrolment are confined to 1st Year enrolments only.

Enrolment Procedure for the ASD Classroom

The process of enrolment is:

 A Common Application System currently operates in Limerick City Schools. All
applications for enrolment in 1st Year are processed through the Common Application
System. Once a school place has been offered and accepted, an additional application
must be made for admission to the ASD Classroom.
 This application must include a referral from an external agency or on submission an
application for entry into 1st Year, the Principal is informed by the applicant, in writing,
that they wish to have their application considered for entry to the ASD Classroom
 This application must be accompanied by:
 an up-to-date clinical psychological/psychiatric assessment and diagnostic report of
Autism (this cannot be more than 2 Years old from 1st September of the year of entry
of the student)
 together with an educational psychological assessment, outlining the level of any
learning disabilities and all assessments available for the applicant (this cannot be
more than 2 Years old from 1st September of the year of entry of the student)

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  fully completed applications are then submitted for consideration for entry to the
ASD Admissions Committee

A submitted form does not confer entitlement to a place in the ASD Classroom. The ASD
Admissions Committee will meet to recommend an offer of a place having due regard to the
following criteria.

If the number of applications exceeds the number of places available applications will be
prioritised as follows:
 Applicants with siblings already in the school
 Applicants who are the eldest in their family and are residing in the school’s catchment
area
 Applicants for whom this ASD Classroom would be their nearest facility
 Applicants not in any of the above categories.

If the number of applicant’s at any of the ranked criteria above exceeds the number of places
available, then the available places will be allocated on the basis of the date that fully
completed applications were recorded in the applicant’s file.

Should two or more applicants be recorded on the same date, then priority will be given to the
oldest applicant and continuing thus forth until all places are filled.

Please note that the fulfilling of the enrolment criteria does not necessarily ensure enrolment
if:-
 The necessary resources pertaining to the enrolment are not available
 Sufficient classroom space is not available
 The ASD Admissions Committee, having reviewed the application, may recommend,
in certain circumstances, that Thomond Community College is unable to meet the needs
of the applicant, e.g.
- They are deemed a risk to themselves or others.
- Admission of the candidate would make it impossible, or have a serious
detrimental effect on, the provision of services to other students.
The Board of Management reserves the right to refuse admission to the ASD Class.
The Board of Management of Thomond Community College respects the rights of the
existing school community and the students already enrolled. This consideration is paramount
when assessing entry to the ASD Class.
Once a student has been offered and accepted a place in the ASD Classroom each pupil will
be evaluated by the school SEN Department and a student profile and IEP will be drawn up.

Health Service Executive Input

Essential services of Speech Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy are

provided by the HSE.

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Thomond Community College has no control over these services or their provision.
All queries about these services must be addressed to the HSE and not to Thomond
Community College.

APPEALS
The Board of Management reserves the right to refuse an application for admission to
Thomond Community College.

The Board of Management reserves the right to refuse an application for admission in
exceptional circumstances, e.g. where a student poses an unacceptable risk to the health and
safety of the students and staff of Thomond Community College and/or to Thomond
Community College property or where a student may present with such a degree of special
need that even with additional resources provided by the Department of Education and Skills,
Thomond Community College would not be able to reasonably accommodate the student
concerned under Section 29 of the Education Act.

The Parent(s)/Guardian(s)’ of any student who is refused admission may appeal the decision
within seven days of such refusal.

In the case of Thomond Community College which is established under the auspices of the
Limerick and Clare Education & Training Board and is funded by the Department of
Education and Skills, an appeal against the decision of the Board of Management shall be
made, in the first instance to LCETB. The decision of the LCETB may be appealed to the
Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills.

Details are available in the Thomond Community College Appeals Policy which will be made
available on request.

Appeal to the ETB

An appeal must be submitted within fourteen calendar days after the decision of the Board
was communicated to the Parent(s)/Guardian(s) in writing. The Thomond Community
College Principal will notify the parent of their right of appeal to the ETB. Appeals should be
made in writing on the Section 29 Appeal Application Form available from the ETB.

Completed CAS Admission Forms

Please return fully completed CAS Application Forms to the school of your 1st choice. In the
case of Thomond Community College, please return to:

Ms. Norma O'Brien

Principal
Thomond Community College

15
Moylish Park
Limerick

Tel: 061-452422
E-mail: info@thomondcommunitycollege.ie

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Addendum to School’s Admission Policy
2020/21

Thomond Community College is one of seventeen post-primary schools which is

participating in the Limerick Area Post-Primary Schools’ Common Application System
(CAS). This system is supported by participating post-primary schools, the Limerick
Principals and Deputy Principals Association, feeder primary schools, the Department of
Education and Skills and by Limerick Education Centre, which provides the Common
Application System with administrative support.

On 7 January 2020, a meeting of principals and deputy principals was convened in Limerick
Education Centre. At the meeting the capacity of the schools to provide sufficient places for
the number of Sixth Class pupils seeking enrolment in First Year in post-primary schools for
the school year 2020/21 was discussed.

At this meeting, principals and deputy principals were notified that the projected number of
applications from prospective First Year students was anticipated, based on current data, to
significantly exceed the confirmed number of places available in the seventeen schools.

The importance of the CAS providing sufficient capacity for the number of applicants was
discussed. The principals and deputy principals were requested to review their current
identified capacity and to provide additional places, where possible, to alleviate the
difficulties presented by a shortfall in available places for prospective First Year students.
The principal of Thomond Community College, on behalf of the school’s board of
management, agreed to increase capacity of the school to enrol 26 additional First Year
students. As a result, Thomond Community College is allocating 126 places for First Year
students for the school year 2020/21.

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Appendix 1

Feeder schools

 Christ the King Boys National School

 Corpus Christi National School

 JFK Boys National School

 Mary Queen of Ireland Girls National School

 Meelick National School

 Parteen National School

 Salesian Primary School

 St. Mary’s National School

 Thomond Primary School

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