General Policy
The Board of Governors of Our Lady and St. Patrick’s College, Knock will consider for acceptance into Years 9 – 12 those pupils who have the academic ability to cope with Grammar School standards. They will be expected to subscribe to the aims and objectives of the College as formulated by the Board of Governors and stated in College publications.

The Board of Governors, having agreed to the criteria for admission, has delegated to the Transfer Sub-Committee the authority to decide which particular applicants shall be admitted to the College in accordance with the criteria and any appropriate statutory regulations issued by DE. Where the overall College enrolment number is likely to be exceeded, it is left to the Transfer Sub-Committee to decide which year groups shall have priority in the allocation of places.

In order to determine which pupils will be accepted into Years 9 – 12 the following major criteria will apply:

Academic Ability

Evidence of academic ability will be based on Progress Reports and assessments submitted from previous schools. The advice and opinions of the Principal and teachers of the previous school(s) will also be taken into consideration. A positive reference from the Principal of the pupil’s previous school will be required along with verification of relevant results, prior to entry.

Acceptance of College Rules and Code of Discipline
A pupil is expected to conform to College rules and the Code of Discipline as formulated by the Board of Governors and interpreted by those in charge of discipline.
   
Requirements of the Timetable
A pupil must be prepared to accept timetable and curriculum arrangements. This will include being involved in and present at Religious Education classes, Careers Education classes, Tutorial classes, Education for Love classes, morning assemblies and the College celebration of the Eucharist. (Arrangements concerning exemptions can be made on behalf of those pupils who are registered as members of other mainstream denominations).
 
Positive Attitude
A pupil is expected to have a positive attitude towards discipline, study, religion and school attendance. This will involve accepting the aims, rules and standards set by the College as stated in College publications, and the obligations and restraints resulting from accepting these standards. This acceptance includes a commitment to be present in the College for the whole of the school year as a full-time pupil and to refrain from going on vacation during term time.

The Transfer Sub-Committee will first consider applicants to whom special circumstances apply, and who, on the documentary evidence submitted, appear capable of undertaking Grammar School standard work. Applicants will then be ranked and allocated places in order of their academic ability.

If there are more applicants to be considered than there are places available in a particular year group, applicants with equal academic ability will be separated and allocated places using the following subsidiary criteria in the order set down:
 
1.     Pupils who have a brother or sister presently enrolled in the College; 
2.     Pupils whose parent/guardian is an employee of the College;

3.     Pupils who are the eldest or only child in the family;
4.     In the event of a tie between two or more applicants for the last available place lots will be drawn. This process will be witnessed by two members of staff who had no dealings with, or family interest in, the admissions process.
 
Note on Special Circumstances
Judgement of the importance of special circumstances will be at the absolute discretion of the Transfer Sub-Committee of the Board of Governors but in such cases parents should submit medical and/or other reports along with the academic progress reports, etc, in support of their application. 

General Policy
The Board of Governors of Our Lady and St. Patrick’s College, Knock will consider for acceptance into Year 13 those students who have the academic ability to cope with Grammar School standards. They will be expected to subscribe to the aims and objectives of the College as formulated by the Board of Governors and stated in College publications.

In order to determine which students will be accepted into Year 13 the following major criteria will apply:

Academic Ability

§     The minimum academic qualification for entry to Year 13 is five GCSE passes at grades A* - C, with four at  grade B.

§     In most cases grade B at GCSE is required if the subject is to be studied at AS-level. Where “special    

     circumstances” occur, the Transfer Sub-Committee has the flexibility to deviate from this “additional requirement”.

§     The following AS-level courses have additional entry requirements:

o        Government & Politics requires grade B in GCSE English Language.

o        Sociology requires grade B in GCSE English Language.

o        Economics requires grade B in GCSE Mathematics and grade B in GCSE English.

o        Physics requires grades AA in GCSE Double Award Science plus grade A in GCSE Mathematics OR grade B in GCSE Physics plus grade A in GCSE Mathematics.

o        Mathematics requires grade A in GCSE Mathematics or grade C in GCSE Additional Mathematics.

Acceptance of College Rules and Code of Discipline
A student is expected to conform to College rules and to the Code of Discipline as formulated by the Board of Governors and interpreted by those in charge of discipline.
   
Requirements of the Timetable
A student must be prepared to accept timetable and curriculum arrangements. This will include being involved in and present at Religious Education classes, Careers Education classes, Life Issues classes, Tutorial classes, morning assemblies and the College celebration of the Eucharist. (Arrangements concerning exemptions can be made on behalf of those students who are registered as members of other mainstream denominations).
 
Positive Attitude
A student is expected to have a positive attitude towards discipline, study, religion and school attendance. This will involve the signing of an agreement accepting the aims, rules and standards set by the College, as stated in College publications, and the obligations and restraints resulting from accepting these standards. This agreement includes a commitment to be present in the College for the whole of the school year as a full-time student and to refrain from going on vacation during term time. The College will focus on attendance, behaviour and commitment in Year 12 before accepting a student into Year 13.

o        Attendance

It should be 95%+ in Year 12.

o        Behaviour

Evidence of positive attitude will be a lack of detentions and/or suspensions for serious or recurring misdemeanours in Senior School.

o        Commitment    

Prospective Year 13 students must have demonstrated commitment to their studies in Year 12, e.g. completion of all coursework on time. Where a student opts for Additional Mathematics, Grade C is expected as evidence of commitment. This latter point is to deter students from opting out or switching off Additional Mathematics in Year 12 after completing GCSE Mathematics in Year 11.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR EXTERNAL APPLICANTS

The Board of Governors, having agreed to the criteria for admission, has delegated to the Transfer Sub-Committee the authority to decide which particular applicants shall be admitted to the College in accordance with the criteria and any appropriate statutory regulations issued by DE. Where the overall College enrolment number is likely to be exceeded, it is left to the Transfer Sub-Committee to decide which year groups shall have priority in the allocation of places.

The Transfer Sub-Committee will first consider applicants to whom special circumstances apply, and who, on the documentary evidence submitted, appear capable of undertaking A-level study. Applicants will then be ranked and allocated places in Year 13 in order of their academic ability. Evidence of academic ability will be based on Progress Reports and assessments submitted from previous schools. It will include GCSE or equivalent examination results. The advice and opinions of the Principal and teachers of the previous school(s) will also be taken into consideration. A positive reference from the Principal of the student’s previous school will be required along with verification of relevant results, prior to entry.

If there are more external applicants to be considered than there are places available in Year 13, applicants with equal academic ability will be separated and allocated places using the following subsidiary criteria in the order set down:
 
1.     Students who have a brother or sister presently enrolled in the College; 
2.     Students whose parent/guardian is an employee of the College;

3.     Students who are the eldest or only child in the family;
4.     In the event of a tie between two or more applicants for the last available place lots will be drawn. This process will  be witnessed by two members of staff who had no dealings with, or family interest in, the admissions process.
 
Note on Special Circumstances
Judgement of the importance of special circumstances will be at the absolute discretion of the Transfer Sub-Committee of the Board of Governors but in such cases parents should submit medical and/or other reports along with the academic progress reports, etc, in support of their application.  

All Year 13 students wishing to progress into Year 14 should be aware of the following important information:

§                     You must pass an AS-level subject (grade A – E) if you wish to take that subject at A2 in Year 14.  

§                     You must pass a minimum of two AS-level subjects if you wish to return as a Year 14 student to take A2 subjects.

§                     If your performance in one or more of your AS-levels has been poor, you must consult with your subject teachers about the feasibility of studying the same subject(s) at A2 level. In some cases, if you pass an AS-level subject at grade E, you will be advised not to continue with that subject at A2.  

§                     If your performance in Year 13 falls below reasonable expectations, you and your parents will be advised to reassess your academic and career options by consulting with the Vice Principal in charge of the curriculum, subject teachers, pastoral and Careers staff in the summer term of Year 13 and/or after the publication of your AS-level exam results in August.

§                     After the AS-level exam results have been published, at the start of the new school year, all students will be expected to attend the Year 14 Induction morning to help them finalise their course choices.

(Ensure that you are back in time from your holidays!)