AMDG

St AloysiusÕ College

 

Admissions Policy

 

 

St AloysiusÕ College is an independent school for boys and girls aged 3-18.  It is a Roman Catholic school in the trusteeship of The Society of Jesus.  The mission of the College is the improvement in living and learning to the glory of God and for the common good.

 

The main principle governing admission is whether or not the boy or girl concerned would benefit from the type of education that the school offers.  The College will judge this based on the following criteria:

 

1.             General Criteria

 

1)    The parents of the child must want their son or daughter to be educated in a Catholic school that has a clear religious, spiritual and moral foundation.  On this condition applications are welcome from Roman Catholics, non-Catholic Christians and non-Christians.

 

2)    The child must be able to flourish within the curricular programme that the College offers.

 

2.             Bursaries

 

1)    The College has a long tradition of offering bursaries to children entering the Senior School.  It is important to the ethos of the College that it is open to pupils who might benefit from the education it provides regardless of the ability of the parents to pay the fees.

 

2)    Bursaries are allocated on the basis of the admission criteria.  The amount of the bursary is dependent on parental income.

 

Application for a bursary must be made at the same time as an application for a place at the College.

 

3)    No bursaries are available in the Junior School.

 

4)    Bursaries are normally awarded for entry into S1 with additional awards for entry into S5 from another school.

 

3.             Application of the Criteria

 

1)    To be considered for a place an application form must be submitted.

 

2)    All children will be assessed in order for the College to form a judgement as to whether the child will be able to flourish academically within the College.  Judgements will be based on the following evidence:

 

(a)           Kindergarten

 

Participation in directed group and free play activities where the children are observed by staff to ascertain whether they display the physical, language, number and social and emotional skills appropriate for their age.

 

(b)           P1

 

Children are assessed for basic number, language awareness, social interaction and readiness for school through group activities

  

(c)           P2-P5

 

A test of mathematics and language conducted in a supportive and friendly environment.

 

(d)           P6, P7 and S1

 

An entrance test which will, in the main, focus on their verbal and non-verbal reasoning ability and their written English.

 

(e)           S2-S6

 

Pupils will be assessed on the basis of their prior attainment e.g. exam results or school reports or, if that evidence is deemed to be insufficient, on the basis of an objective test of their verbal, non-verbal and mathematical potential.

 

On receiving your application the College will request a confidential reference from your childÕs current primary or secondary school.  Parents are advised to speak to the school at the earliest opportunity.

 

In all of the above cases a judgement will be made on the available evidence (entrance test and/or interview, reference, examination results) as to whether or not the child or young person will be able to flourish academically within the College.

 

In exceptional circumstances, e.g. if a family are abroad, a judgement may be made solely on the basis of prior attainment or other suitable evidence.  This applies to all stages of entry.

 

3)    If the decision is made that the child or young person will not flourish academically then no further consideration is made, and the child will not be offered a place.

 

4)    If it is judged that the child or young person will be able to flourish academically then the following will be considered.

 

What evidence is there that the parents wish their child to be educated in a Catholic school that has an explicit religious, spiritual and moral foundation?  The evidence will be provided by the application form/interview.  If the evidence is, in the judgement of the College, insufficient or lacking, then the boy or girl concerned will not be offered a place.

 

4.             Oversubscription

 

In the event of oversubscription of children who are able to flourish academically, and where there is evidence of commitment to a Catholic school, then consideration will be given to children who:

 

1)    have a brother or sister at the college;

2)    are the son or daughter of an Old Aloysian.

 

5.             Main Entry Points

 

The main entry points to the College are

 

Kindergarten

P1

P4

P7

S1

S5/6

 

Places do become available at other entry points and during the year.  Parents should always contact the admissions office for up to date information.  The College maintains a waiting list.

 

6.             Timetable for Application

 

Applications for entry for all stages should be received by the date of the entrance examination for P7 and S1.  This examination normally takes place in mid/late January prior to entry in August.  Late applicants will be considered if there are available places.

 

 

 

7.             Entry into the Senior School from P7

 

1)    It is normally expected that children who enter P7 of the Junior School will be given a place in S1. 

 

2)    The right is reserved to refuse admission to S1 if it is judged that the child will not be able to flourish academically in the Senior School.  In such circumstances the parents will be informed during P6 that this is a possibility in order that the appropriate discussions can take place.

 

8.             Additional Support for Learning

 

1)    In both the Junior and Senior Schools the College will provide additional support for learning.  This will be dependent on our assessment of the needs of a child and on available resources.

 

2)    In any entrance test, alternative assessment arrangements e.g. extra time, large print scripts etc. will be provided, if required.  Parents must, however, supply evidence of the need from a medical practitioner or a psychologist at the time of application.

 

9.             Disability

 

It is unlawful for the College to discriminate against a pupil or prospective pupil on the basis of a disability.  The College will make reasonable adjustments though it may be required to make an additional charge if auxiliary aids or services are required.

 

10.          Appeal against non-admission

 

Parents have a right of appeal against non admission.

 

In the first instance the appeal should be made in writing to the Head Master of the College.  Any additional evidence or information should be supplied at that point.

 

If the appeal to the Head Master is unsuccessful then the parents may, if they wish, appeal to the governing body.  The Chair of Governors will appoint a Governor to review the evidence.  There is no further appeal beyond this point.

 

 

 

October 2007