The Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1997

PART III N.I. ADMISSION OF CHILDREN TO GRANT-AIDED SCHOOLS

Parental preference N.I.

9.—(1) Every board shall make arrangements for the parent of a child resident in the area of the board—

(a) to express (in order of preference) his preferences as to the school at which he wishes education to be provided for his child; and

(b) to give reasons for his preferences.

(2) Where the parent of a child has expressed his preferences under arrangements .under paragraph (1). then for the purposes of this Part—

(a) the parent shall be taken as making an application for admission of the child to the school which is the first preference of the parent; and

(b) if that application is refused, the parent shall then be taken as making an application for admission of the child to the school which is the second preference of the parent,

and so on, taking each preference of the parent in order.

(3) Subject to Article 16(4) (children resident outside Northern Ireland), this Part applies in relation to an application for admission of a child to a school whether or not the child is resident in the area of the board in which that school is situated.

Duties of Board of Governors in relation to admissions N.I.

10.—(1) It shall be the duty of the Board of Governors of a grant-aided school to make arrangements for the admission of children to the school in accordance with the following provisions of this Part.

(2) The Board of Governors of a grant-aided school shall not—

(a) admit to the school in any school year a number of children in the relevant age group which exceeds the school's admissions number for that school year; or

(b) cause or permit the number of registered pupils at the school at any time to exceed the school's enrolment number.

(3) In calculating for the purposes of paragraph (2) the number of children in the relevant age group admitted to a school in any school year, no account shall be taken of any child in that age group admitted to the school in compliance with—

(a) a direction of an appeal tribunal;

[F1 (aa) a direction of the body constituted by regulations under Article 16A(6);]

(b) a direction under Article 42 of the [1996 NI 1.] Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1996; or

(c) a school attendance order.

(4) In calculating for the purposes of paragraph (2) the number of registered pupils at a school at any time in a school year, no account shall be taken of any pupil first registered at the school in that school year in compliance with—

(a) a direction of an appeal tribunal;

[F2 (aa) a direction of the body constituted by regulations under Article 16A(6);]

(b) a direction under Article 42 of the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1996; or

(c) a school attendance order.

F1 Art. 10(3)(aa) inserted (1.10.2006) by Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1915 (N.I. 11)), arts. 1(5), 29(2) (and with transitional reference in art. 1(5))

F2 Art. 10(4)(aa) inserted (1.10.2006) by Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1915 (N.I. 11)), arts. 1(5), 29(3) (and with transitional reference in art. 1(5))

Determination of enrolment number for a school N.I.

11.—(1) In this Part any reference to a school's enrolment number is a reference to the number for the time being applying under the following provisions of this Article to the school.

(2) The enrolment number applying to a school shall be such number as the Department may determine having regard in particular to —

(a) the requirements of directions under Article 18 of the 1986 Order which apply in relation to the school; and

(b) the accommodation available for use by pupils at the school, other than—

(i) in the case of a boarding school, so much of the accommodation as is used wholly or mainly for boarding purposes; and

(ii) in the case of a grammar school, so much of the accommodation as is not available for use by pupils of the secondary department.

(3) The Department may at any time vary a school's enrolment number.

(4) Before making any determination under paragraph (2) or variation under paragraph (3) in relation to a school, the Department shall consult the bodies mentioned in paragraph (7).

(5) Paragraph (4) does not require consultation with the Board of Governors of a school in relation to a variation of the school's enrolment number made by the Department at the request of the Board of Governors.

(6) After making any determination under paragraph (2) or variation under paragraph (3) in relation to a school, the Department shall send notice of the determination or variation to the bodies mentioned in paragraph (7).

(7) The bodies referred to in paragraphs (4) and (6) are—

(a) the Board of Governors of the school;

(b) the board for the area in which the school is situated; and

(c) where the school is a Catholic maintained school, the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools.

Determination of admissions number for a school N.I.

12.—(1) In this Part any reference to a school's admissions number for a school year is a reference to the number for the time being applying under the following provisions of this Article to the school in relation to that school year.

(2) The admissions number applying to a school for any school year shall be such number as the Department may determine, having regard in particular to—

(a) the requirements of directions under Article 18 of the 1986 Order which apply in relation to the school; and

(b) the school's enrolment number;[F3 and]

[F3 (c) the requirements of Article 16 of the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (limit on class sizes)]

(3) The Department may at any time vary a school's admissions number for a school year.

(4) Before making any determination under paragraph (2) or variation under paragraph (3) in relation to a school, the Department shall consult the bodies mentioned in paragraph (7).

(5) Paragraph (4) does not require consultation with the Board of Governors of a school in relation to a variation of the school's admissions number made by the Department at the request of the Board of Governors.

(6) After making any determination under paragraph (2) or variation under paragraph (3) in relation to a school, the Department shall send notice of the determination or variation to the bodies mentioned in paragraph (7).

(7) The bodies referred to in paragraphs (4) and (6) are—

(a) the Board of Governors of the school;

(b) the board for the area in which the school is situated; and

(c) where the school is a Catholic maintained school, the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools.

F3 1998 NI 13

Admission to primary or secondary school F4 . . . N.I.

13.—(1) This Article applies to applications for the admission of a child to a primary school or a secondary school F5 . . . ; and in this Article—

(a) paragraph (2) applies to an application for the admission of a child in the relevant age group where the proposed admission is to take effect at the beginning of the first term of the school year;

(b) paragraph (3) applies to an application for the admission of a child in the relevant age group where the proposed admission is to take effect at any later time in the school year; and

(c) paragraphs (4) and (5) apply to an application for the admission of a child who is not in the relevant age group.

(2) Where an application to which this paragraph applies is made, the Board of Governors—

(a) shall admit the child to the school if the total number of such applications does not exceed the admissions number of the school; and

(b) in any other case, shall—

(i) apply the criteria drawn up under Article 16(1) to select for admission to the school a number of children equal to the school's admissions number; and

(ii) admit, or refuse to admit, the child to the school accordingly.

(3) Where an application to which this paragraph applies is made, the Board of Governors shall—

(a) if, at the time the application is considered, there are vacant places in the relevant age group at the school—

(i) admit the child to the school, if the total number of such applications falling to be considered at that time does not exceed the number of vacant places;

(ii) in any other case, apply the criteria drawn up under Article 16(1) to select for admission to the school a number of children equal to the number of vacant places and admit, or refuse to admit, the child to the school accordingly;

(b) if, at that time, there are no vacant places in the relevant age group at the school, refuse to admit the child to the school.

(4) Where an application to which this paragraph applies is made, the Board of Governors shall—

(a) if, at the time the application is considered, there are vacant places at the school—

(i) admit the child to the school, if the total number of such applications falling to be considered at that time does not exceed the number of vacant places;

(ii) in any other case, apply the criteria drawn up under Article 16(1) to select for admission to the school a number of children equal to the number of vacant places and admit, or refuse to admit, the child to the school accordingly;

(b) if, at that time, there are no vacant places at the school, refuse to admit the child to the school.

(5) The Board of Governors may refuse to admit a child to the school in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (4)(a)(i) or (ii) where it is of the opinion that the admission of the child to the school would prejudice the efficient use of resources.

F4 Art. 13: words in heading repealed (1.10.2006) by Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1915 (N.I. 11)), arts. 1(5), 27(2), 44(2), Sch. 3 Pt. II (and with transitional reference in art. 1(5))

F5 Words in art. 13(1) repealed (1.10.2006) by Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1915 (N.I. 11)), arts. 1(5), 27(2), 44(2), Sch. 3 (and with transitional reference in art. 1(5))

Admission to grammar schools N.I.

14.  F6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F6 Art. 14 repealed (1.10.2006) by Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1915 (N.I. 11)), arts. 1(5), 27(1), 44(2), Sch. 3 Pt. II (and with transitional reference in art. 1(5))

Appeals against certain admission decisions under Articles 13 and 14 N.I.

15.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), every board shall make arrangements for enabling the parent of a child to appeal against any decision made under Article 13 F7 . . . by the Board of Governors of a grant-aided school situated in the area of the board refusing the child admission to the school.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a decision made under—

(a) Article 13(5) F8 . . . (admission prejudicial to efficient use of resources);

(b) F9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c) F9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) An appeal under this Article shall be to an appeal tribunal constituted in accordance with regulations under paragraph (8).

(4) An appeal under this Article may be brought only on the ground that the criteria drawn up under Article 16(1) by the Board of Governors of a school—

(a) were not applied; or

(b) were not correctly applied,

in deciding to refuse the child admission to the school.

(5) On the hearing of an appeal under this Article—

(a) if it appears to the appeal tribunal that the criteria were not applied, or were not correctly applied, in deciding to refuse the child admission to the school, the tribunal shall, subject to paragraph (6), allow the appeal and direct the Board of Governors of the school to admit the child to the school;

(b) in any other case, the tribunal shall dismiss the appeal.

(6) If, in the case mentioned in paragraph (5)(a), it appears to the tribunal that had the criteria been applied, or (as the case may be) been correctly applied, the child would have been refused admission to the school, the tribunal shall dismiss the appeal.

(7) It shall be the duty of the Board of Governors of a school to comply with any direction given under paragraph (5)(a).

(8) The Department shall by regulations provide for the constitution and procedure of appeal tribunals and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, such regulations—

(a) shall provide for an appeal tribunal to consist of—

(i) a chairman, selected in the prescribed manner from a panel of persons appointed by the board to act as chairmen of appeal panels;

(ii) a prescribed number of other persons selected in the prescribed manner from a panel of persons appointed by the board to act as members of appeal tribunals;

(b) may prescribe qualifications for appointment to a panel mentioned in sub-paragraph (a)(i);

(c) may provide for disqualifying prescribed persons or persons of prescribed descriptions for membership of an appeal tribunal;

(d) may provide for two or more tribunals to sit at the same time;

[F10 (dd) may provide for tribunals to sit in private, except in such circumstances as may be specified in, or determined in accordance with, the regulations;]

(e) may provide that all matters relating to the procedure on appeals which are not specifically regulated by the regulations shall be determined by the board.

(9) An appeal tribunal shall not be regarded as a committee of the board.

(10) A board shall make payments by way of travelling allowance or subsistence allowance,F10 . . . to any member of an appeal tribunal who necessarily incurs expenditure on travelling or, as the case may be, subsistence for the purpose of enabling him to perform any duty specified in the conditions.

[F10 (10A) Payments under paragraph (10) shall be made at such rates and on such conditions as may be—

(a) determined by the board; and

(b) approved by the Department.]

(11) A board may make payments to—

(a) the chairman of an appeal tribunal for or in relation to his functions as chairman, of amounts or at rates not exceeding such amounts or rates and on such conditions as the Department, with the approval of the Department of Finance and Personnel, may determine;

(b) the members of an appeal tribunal for or in relation to their functions as members, of amounts or at rates not exceeding such amounts or rates and on such conditions as the Department may determine.

F7 Words in art. 15(1) repealed (1.10.2006) by Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1915 (N.I. 11)), arts. 1(5), 27(3)(a), 44(2), Sch. 3 (and with transitional reference in art. 1(5))

F8 Words in art. 15(2)(a) repealed (1.10.2006) by Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1915 (N.I. 11)), arts. 1(5), 27(3)(b), 44(2), Sch. 3 (and with transitional reference in art. 1(5))

F9 Art. 15(2)(b)(c) repealed (1.10.2006) by Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1915 (N.I. 11)), arts. 1(5), 27(3)(c), 44(2), Sch. 3 (and with transitional reference in art. 1(5))

F10 2003 NI 12

[F11 Admission criteria N.I.

16.— (1) Subject to the following provisions of this Article, the Board of Governors of each grant-aided school shall draw up, and may from time to time amend, the criteria to be applied in selecting children for admission to the school under Article 13.

(2) When drawing up or amending criteria under this Article—

(a) the Board of Governors of a controlled school shall consider any representations made to it by the board responsible for the management of the school;

(b) the Board of Governors of a Catholic maintained school shall consider any representations made to it by the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools.

(3) Where the criteria to be applied in respect of any school year have been published under Article 17(2), the Board of Governors shall not amend those criteria in respect of that school year without the approval of the Department.

(4) The criteria drawn up by the Board of Governors of a school under paragraph (1)—

(a) shall be such as to ensure that the Board of Governors by applying those criteria can comply with Article 13 before the criteria are exhausted;

(b) shall provide for all children resident in Northern Ireland at the time of their proposed admission to the school to be selected for admission to the school before any child not so resident may be selected for admission;

(c) shall in all other respects comply—

(i) in the case of a secondary school, with regulations under paragraph (5); and

(ii) in the case of a primary school, with regulations under paragraph (9).

(5) Regulations may make provision in relation to the drawing up of criteria under paragraph (1) by the Board of Governors of a secondary school [F12 or of a secondary school of a specified description] ; and in particular such regulations may—

(a) require the Board of Governors to include only such criteria, or criteria of such description, as are specified (“permitted criteria”);

(b) require the Board of Governors to include a specified number (or minimum number) of permitted criteria;

(c) require the Board of Governors to include—

(i) any specified permitted criteria;

(ii) any specified combination of permitted criteria;

(iii) a specified combination of permitted criteria selected in a specified manner;

(d) require the Board of Governors to include provision as to the sequence in which different criteria are to be applied in making any selection using the criteria.

(6) In paragraph (5) “specified” means specified in the regulations under that paragraph.

(7) Regulations may—

(a) confer on the Department power to direct the Board of Governors of a secondary school to reconsider any criteria drawn up by that Board under paragraph (1) (but not yet published under Article 17(2)) in the light of concerns of the Department as to the likely effect of the application of those criteria on admissions to the school; and

(b) provide that where such a direction has been given, the criteria drawn up by the Board of Governors under paragraph (1) may not be published under Article 17(2) without the consent of the Department.

(8) Before making any regulations under paragraph (5) or (7) the Department shall consult—

(a) the Boards of Governors of secondary schools; and

(b) such other bodies or persons as appear to the Department to be appropriate.

(9) Regulations may provide, in relation to any primary school—

(a) that the criteria drawn up under paragraph (1) shall include such matters, or matters of such description, as are specified in the regulations;

(b) that those criteria shall not include such matters, or matters of such description, as may be so specified.]

F11 Art. 16 substituted (1.10.2006) by Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1915 (N.I. 11)), arts. 1(5), 28(1) (and with transitional reference in art. 1(5))

F12 Words in art. 16(5) inserted (10.5.2007) by Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006 (c. 53), ss 21(2)-(4) (as amended by 2007 c. 4, s. 1(1)), 27(7) (with s. 1(3)); S.I. 2007/1397, art. 2

[F13 Admission to secondary school: exceptional circumstances N.I.

16A.— (1) The parent of a child of compulsory school age may apply to the body established by regulations under paragraph (6) (“the body”) for a direction that on the grounds of exceptional circumstances specified in the application the child is to be admitted to a grant-aided secondary school so specified (“the specified school”).

(2) On the hearing of an application under this Article—

(a) if the body is satisfied that exceptional circumstances exist which require the admission of the child to the specified school, the body shall direct the Board of Governors of that school to admit the child to the school;

(b) in any other case, the body shall dismiss the application.

(3) It shall be the duty of the Board of Governors of the specified school to comply with any direction given under paragraph (2)(a).

(4) The Department shall make regulations as to the meaning of “exceptional circumstances” for the purposes of this Article.

(5) Such regulations may—

(a) specify matters to be taken into account, or not to be taken into account, in determining whether, in relation to a particular pupil, there are exceptional circumstances which require his admission to a particular school;

(b) give examples of—

(i) circumstances which may be regarded for the purposes of this Article as exceptional circumstances requiring the admission of a child to a particular school;

(ii) circumstances which may not be so regarded.

(6) The Department shall by regulations provide for the constitution and procedure of a body to determine applications under this Article; and, in particular, such regulations—

(a) shall provide for the membership of the body and may provide for disqualifying prescribed persons or descriptions of person for membership of the body;

(b) may contain provision requiring the body to hear and determine an application within such period as may be specified in, or determined in accordance with, the regulations;

(c) may provide for the body to sit in private, except in such circumstances as may be specified in, or determined in accordance with, the regulations;

(d) may provide that all matters relating to the procedure on an application which are not specifically regulated by the regulations shall be determined by the Department.

(7) The Department may make payments by way of travelling and subsistence allowances to members of the body.

(8) Payments under paragraph (7) shall be made at such rates and on such conditions as may be determined by the Department.]

F13 Art. 16A inserted (1.10.2006) by Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/1915 (N.I. 11)), arts. 1(5), 29(1) (and with transitional reference in art. 1(5))

[F14 Guidance as to admissions N.I.

16B.— (1) The Department may issue, and from time to time revise, such guidance as it thinks appropriate in respect of the arrangements for the admission of pupils to grant-aided schools and the discharge by—

(a) boards;

(b) the Boards of Governors of grant-aided schools;

(c) appeal tribunals constituted in accordance with regulations under Article 15(8); and

(d) the body established by regulations under Article 16A(6),

of their respective functions under this Part.

(2) The guidance may in particular set out aims, objectives and other matters in relation to the discharge of those functions.

(3) It shall be the duty of—

(a) each of the bodies mentioned in paragraph (1); and

(b) any other person exercising any function for the purposes of the discharge by such a body of functions under this Part,

to have regard to any relevant guidance for the time being in force under this Article.]

F14 Art. 16B inserted (1.10.2006) by Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006(S.I. 2006/1915 (N.I. 11)), arts. 1(5), {30} (and with transitional reference in art. 1(5))

Information as to schools and admission arrangements N.I.

17.—(1) Every board shall, for each school year, publish at such time and in such manner as the Department may direct, particulars of —

(a) the arrangements made by the board under Articles 9(1) and 15(1);

(b) the arrangements for the admission of children to each grant-aided school in its area.

(2) The particulars to be published under paragraph (1)(b) for each school year in relation to a school shall include particulars of—

(a) the school's enrolment number;

(b) the school's admissions number;

(c) the respective functions of the Board of Governors and principal in relation to admissions to the school; and

(d) the criteria drawn up under Article 16(1) for the school.

(3) The Board of Governors of every grant-aided school shall, as respects that school, publish—

(a) such information as may be required by regulations;

(b) such other information, if any, as the Board of Governors thinks fit.

(4) Every board shall publish such information as may be required by regulations with respect to its policy and arrangements in respect of any matter relating to primary or secondary education in its area.

(5) A board may, with the agreement of the Board of Governors of any grant-aided school situated in the area of the board, publish on behalf of the Board of Governors the particulars or information relating to the school referred to in paragraph (3).

(6) References in paragraphs (3) and (5) to publication are references to publication at such time or times and in such manner as may be required by regulations.

Exceptions N.I.

18.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), this Part does not have effect in relation to—

(a) nursery schools;

(b) special schools;

(c) schools established in hospitals;

(d) the preparatory departments of grammar schools;

(e) the admission to a grant-aided school of children who will not have attained compulsory school age at the time of their proposed admission; or

(f) the admission to a grant-aided school of children in respect of whom statements are maintained under Article 16 of the [1996 NI 1.] Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.

(2) Paragraphs (3) to (6) of Article 17 apply to schools and children mentioned in[F15 paragraph (1)(b), (d) and (f)].

(3) Where the arrangements for the admission of children to a grant-aided school provide for the admission to the school of children who will not be of compulsory school age at the time of their proposed admission—

(a) this Part shall have effect in relation to the admission of such children to the school otherwise than for nursery education; and

(b) the transfer to a reception class at the school of children previously admitted to the school for nursery education shall be treated for the purposes of this Part as the admission of such children to the school.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3)—

(a) children are to be regarded as admitted to a school for nursery education if they are or are to be placed on admission in a nursery class;

(b) “reception class” means a class in which education is provided which is suitable to the requirements of children aged four and any pupils over that age whom it is expedient to educate together with pupils of that age;

(c) “nursery class” means a class in which education is provided which is suitable to the requirements of children who have attained the age of two but have not attained the lower limit of compulsory school age.

F15 1998 NI 13

Application of this Part N.I.

19.  This Part does not apply in relation to any admission to a school taking effect, or proposed admission to a school which would take effect, in the school year ending on 31st July 1998; and Part IV of the 1989 Order shall accordingly continue to have effect in relation to any such admission or proposed admission.

Regulations N.I.

20.  All regulations under this Part shall be subject to negative resolution.

Interpretation of this Part N.I.

21.—(1) In this Part—

(a) any reference to a school's enrolment number shall be construed in accordance with Article 11(1);

(b) any reference to a school's admissions number for a school year shall be construed in accordance with Article 12(1);

(c) any reference to the admission of a child to a school shall, in the case of a grammar school having a preparatory department, be construed as a reference to the admission of a child to the secondary department of that school;

(d) any reference to pupils registered at a school shall, in the case of a grammar school having a preparatory department, be construed as a reference to pupils registered in the secondary department of that school;

(e) any reference to the preparatory department of a grammar school is a reference to that part of the grammar school in which primary education is provided;

(f) any reference to the secondary department of a grammar school is a reference to that part of the grammar school in which secondary education is provided;

(g) any reference to the relevant age group—

(i) in relation to a grammar school having a preparatory department, is a reference to the age group in which the majority of children below the upper limit of compulsory school age are normally admitted to the secondary department of the school;

(ii) in relation to any other school, is a reference to the age group in which the majority of children below the upper limit of compulsory school age are normally admitted to the school;

(h) any reference to an appeal tribunal is a reference to an appeal tribunal constituted in accordance with regulations under Article 15(8);

(i) any reference to a school year is a reference to a year ending on 31st July.

(2) For the purposes of this Part—

(a) there are vacant places at a school at any time if at that time the enrolment number of the school exceeds the number of pupils registered at the school;

(b) the number of vacant places at a school at any time is the number obtained by subtracting the number of pupils registered at the school at that time from the enrolment number of the school.

(3) For the purposes of this Part—

(a) there are vacant places in the relevant age group at a school at any time if at that time the admissions number of the school exceeds the number of pupils in the relevant age group registered at the school;

(b) the number of vacant places in the relevant age group at a school at any time is the number obtained by subtracting the number of pupils in the relevant age group registered at the school at that time from the admissions number of the school.

(4) For the purposes of this Part a child who by virtue of Article 46A of the 1986 Order commences secondary education at a time earlier or later than he would otherwise do so shall be treated as being in the same age group as those who commence secondary education at the same time as he does.

(5) Directions and approvals of the Department under this Part shall be given in writing.

Art. 22—Repeals