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Réaltaí Special Class for Autism Enrolment Policy
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Background
At St. Patrick’s B.N.S. we have one class known as Réaltaí that is specifically designed for children with ASD. We have one primary school class ranging from 1st to sixth class depending on the profile of the children enrolled. The purpose of this class is to support children with ASD, who are experiencing, or would experience, difficulty in a mainstream class setting, to access the curriculum and maximise their potential for learning and personal development. This class also serves to prepare children with ASD to (re)integrate into the mainstream school setting. Therefore, enrolment to this class will only be available to children with ASD who, with the supports available in St. Patrick’s B.N.S., will have the capacity to, at least, partially integrate into a mainstream class.
Enrolment Procedure for Réaltaí
• The process of enrolling in our special class supporting children with ASD begins with an enquiry to the school – this can be a telephone call, e-
• Requests for enrolment application forms and queries should be made to: Principal, St. Patrick’s B.N.S., Gardiner’s Hill, Cork city / TEL: 021 4502024 / email: stpatricksboysschool@gmail.com
• The completed application form must be returned with the necessary reports and recommendations.
• Applications will only be considered if the following documentation are included:
a diagnostic or psychological report outlining a diagnosis of autism meeting DSM IV/V or ICD diagnostic criteria
a recommendation for an ASD unit attached to a mainstream school.
• Each application will be reviewed by an admissions team consisting of the school principal, the special needs coordinator and a special class teacher,
• Once this process has been completed the applicant secures a place on the waiting list of applicants. This list is organised based on our enrolment criteria outlined below.
• When a place becomes available the parents will complete an admissions form. The parents will have two weeks to return this form or the place will be offered to the next child on the waiting list. The parents and principal will also complete the “Notification to NCSE of enrolment in a special class”. This is Form 7 available on www.ncse.ie
• If there are insufficient places for all the children on the waiting list, the applicants without a place will be notified by post.
Enrolment Criteria
The maximum class size is in each special class is six pupils. If the number of children on the list of applicants to enrol exceeds the number of places available, the following criteria will apply in priority order, beginning with number one – subject to meeting all the criteria and completing all the procedures previously outlined in this policy.
These criteria will decide the waiting list order but are not essential for application.
Priority Criterion
1 Existing Mainstream pupils that may require reverse integration placement into our school’s Special Class for children with ASD
2 Boys attending Special Classes for ASD in St. Patrick’s Infants’ School with a multi-
3 Brothers of children that are enrolled in the school at the same time with a multi-
4 Brothers of children who have attended the school in the past with a multi-
5 Boys whose primary residence is in the parish of St. Joseph’s with a multi-
6 Sons of current staff with a multi-
7 Boys living outside the parish of St. Joseph’s with a multi-
These criteria are explained in greater detail below;
• Criterion 1) Boys with an ASD diagnosis currently enrolled in the school.
If the number of applicants in category 1 exceeds the number of available places, the Board reserves the right to determine the applicants to be enrolled. The following criteria will be considered:
1) Suitability for enrolment considering the needs/age/abilities of those currently enrolled and those seeking enrolment.
2) Length of time waiting for enrolment.
3) Which setting they are currently enrolled; Mainstream primary class
• Criterion 2) Boys who are currently attending St. Patrick’s Infants’ School Junior ASD Class with a multi-
If the number of applicants in category 1 exceeds the number of available spaces, priority will be given to applicants who have a multi-
The school will accept both public and private reports.
• Criterion 3) Boys with an ASD diagnosis who have siblings already attending the school.
If the number of applicants in category 1 exceeds the number of available places, the Board reserves the right to determine the applicants to be enrolled. The following criteria will be considered:
1) Suitability for enrolment considering the needs/age/abilities of those currently enrolled and those seeking enrolment.
2) Length of time waiting for enrolment.
• Criterion 4) Boys with an ASD diagnosis who have siblings who attended the school in the past.
If the number of applicants in category 1 exceeds the number of available places, the Board reserves the right to determine the applicants to be enrolled. The following criteria will be considered:
1) Suitability for enrolment considering the needs/age/abilities of those currently enrolled and those seeking enrolment.
2) Length of time waiting for enrolment.
• Criterion 5) Boys with an ASD diagnosis living within the catchment area of St. Joseph’s parish
If the number of applicants in category 3 exceeds the number of available places, the Board reserves the right to determine the applicants to be enrolled. The following criteria will be considered:
1) Suitability for enrolment considering the needs/age/abilities of those currently enrolled and those seeking enrolment.
2) Length of time waiting for enrolment.
3) Distance from the family home to the school.
• Criterion 6) Boys with an ASD diagnosis who are the children of a current staff member.
If the number of applicants in category 4 exceeds the number of available places, the Board reserves the right to determine the applicants to be enrolled. The following criteria will be considered:
1) Suitability for enrolment considering the needs/age/abilities of those currently enrolled and those seeking enrolment.
2) Length of time waiting for enrolment.
• Criterion 7) Boys with an ASD diagnosis living outside the catchment area of St. Joseph’s parish
If the number of applicants in category 3 exceeds the number of available places, the Board reserves the right to determine the applicants to be enrolled. The following criteria will be considered:
1) Suitability for enrolment considering the needs/age/abilities of those currently enrolled and those seeking enrolment.
2) Length of time waiting for enrolment.
3) Distance from the family home to the school.
Every year, the school will write to all parents/guardians of applicants on the waiting list offering them an option to stay on the list.
Inclusion
The Board of Management will not refuse a child on the basis of ethnicity, disability,) traveller status, refugee status, political beliefs or family or social circumstances, provided they fulfil the enrolment criteria. Fulfilling the enrolment criteria does not necessarily ensure enrolment if:
• Necessary resources pertaining to the enrolment are not available
• Sufficient classroom space is not available
• The Admission Team decide that the school is unable to adequately meet the needs of the child
Placement
1. After placement in the class a relevant student support plan will be provided for the child. This plan will have an input from all parties involved with the education of the child.
2. Each child in the A.S.D. class will be assigned to an age appropriate mainstream class for integration purposes provided that this is in the best interests of the child, while having due regard to the educational benefit of all pupils enrolled in our school. Every opportunity will be used to promote inclusion in mainstream classes provided the child is ready for this step and has the necessary supports in place.
3. All new reports must be sent into the school to ensure we have the most relevant information to best support the child. The school will use the most up to date reports for recommendations and to assess the needs of the child.
Review of placement
A review will take place yearly to assess the suitability of the placement.
• The review will be carried out by school staff with parental involvement
• The most up to date reports will be used for recommendations and review of suitability of the placement.
• If a placement is inappropriate, the school will liaise with appropriate agencies in an effort to obtain a more suitable placement.
• Discharge may be recommended after the first and/or any subsequent year if following psychological assessments and consultation with the parents/guardians, it is felt that the placement is no longer appropriate or serves the best interest of the child. Discharge may also happen if the child is fully integrated into the mainstream classes.
Adopted by the B.O.M
14/09/21
Philip O’ Kelly Shane Foley
(Chairperson) (Principal)