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BOM – Know Your School / College / Centre

School/College/Centre: Swords Community College

Roll No: 76475D

Principal: Mark McDonald

Deputy Principal:

Date of most recent revision: November 2018

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Table of Contents

Topic Page NoRole and Function of ETB 4

Mission Statement 5

Brief History of College 5

Location, Catchment Area, Feeder Schools, Neighbouring Second-Level Schools

6

Board of Management 2018 – 2019 7

College Management Structure and Decision-Making Processes 7

College Personnel 8

Posts of Responsibility N/A

Summary of Teaching Staff 8

Subject Teachers 9

School Policies 10

School Calendar 10

Admission Criteria 10

Student Transfers from other Second-Level Schools 11

School’s Pastoral Care Structures / Supports 12

Details of Special Needs Provision 13

Parents’ Association – Structure, Officers, etc. 14

Student Council – Structure, Membership, etc. 14

Student Profile 15

School Enrolment – Last 10 years 15

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BOM – Know Your School / College / CentreSchool Self-Evaluation Reports 16

School Improvement Plan / DEIS Action Plan 16

School Plan – with date for next review 16

Recent School Inspection Reports 16

Student Academic Achievements 16

Curriculum 17

List of Current PLC Courses offered & delivered 17

Evening Class Programme 17

Extra-Curricular Activities – Student Involvement / Achievement 18

School Accommodation / Facilities 19

Urgent Teaching and Learning Accommodation Needs 19

Medium-term Teaching and Learning Accommodation Needs 19

Finance 20

Financial Challenges facing the School 20

Four Key Strengths of the School 21

Four Opportunities for the School 21

Four Non-Financial Challenges Facing the School 21

Four Threats to the Future of the School 21

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Role and Function of ETB

Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board serves the three County areas of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, South Dublin and Fingal and a population of 750,000 people. Twenty six post-primary schools and five Further Education colleges provide education for over 19,000 day students.

The vision of this Education and Training Board is that the learner will be at the heart of what we do. Dublin Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board will continue to develop innovative responses to the needs of the people in the three counties they serve. Their staff are involved in many new initiatives to improve the quality of what we do and are committed to continual improvement.

The role of the ETB in regards to Swords Community College, is to support us in fulfilling our ethos and vision, which is in line with that of the ETB. It provides HR, Budgetary and IT support alongside advice and guidance.

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Mission Statement

Learn Together, Work Together, Achieve TogetherSwords Community College (SCC) was established in 2018 to meet the second level, educational needs of a growing community in Swords. We commit ourselves to work for this purpose with dedication and professional expertise. We acknowledge and value the active support we receive from parents, the Board of Management and Dublin & Dun Laoghaire ETB in all aspects of school life.

Swords Community College is a warm, welcoming, inclusive, innovative, multi-belief college, which puts the learners at the centre of all activities. We encourage the development of 21st Century learning skills, allowing learners to take ownership of their learning; to explore, enquire and direct their own learning experiences. All our learning practices are facilitated by a team of passionate and dedicated teachers. Swords Community College will provide technology-enhanced learning environments, as we aspire to be a Digital School. Learners use iPads and other technologies in the classroom on a daily basis, allowing us to build the school of the future, now.

Swords Community College will strive for the highest academic standards, yet these will be built on the foundation of exceptional pastoral care structures. Our learners will be safe and respected in school, which then allows them to succeed and achieve their full potential. We work with learners to develop the knowledge and skills they will need for Third Level education and for life itself.

Brief History of College

Swords Community College was established in 2018 to meet the educational needs of the growing area of Swords. We entered a proud tradition of DDLETB education providers and work alongside our sister schools of St Finian’s CC and Fingal CC. We are currently in our second year in temporary accommodation, before we move to our permanent building off the Rathbeale Road, which is scheduled for completion in mid-2020.

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Location, Catchment Area, Feeder Schools, Neighbouring Second-Level Schools

SCC is located in temporary premises in St Finian’s CC, before we move to our permanent site in 2020. This site will also house a primary school, sports complex, playing pitch and basketball courts. It will be at the centre of a new housing development being built on the Mooretown Campus.

The catchment area for SCC is the wider Swords area. Our Admission Policy gives priority to applicants in the following categories:

1. Siblings of current students.2. Students of families living in the defined catchment area (see map in appendices of

Admissions Policy) and attending a listed feeder school.3. Students who live in the defined catchment area, but do not attend a listed school.4. Students attending a listed school who live outside the defined catchment area.5. Students who live outside the defined catchment area and attend a school outside

the defined catchment area.

Our listed feeder schools are:Ballyboughal N.S. Rolestown N.S.Gaelscoil Bhrían Bóroimhe Thornleigh Educate Together N.S.Holy Family Senior N.S. St Colmcille’s B.N.S.Holywell Educate Together N.S. St Colmcille’s G.N.S.Mary Queen of Ireland N.S. St Cronin’s S.N.S.Old Borough N.S. Swords Educate Together N.S.Oldtown N.S. Scoil an Duinnínigh

Neighbouring Second-Level schools include: St Finian’s Community College Fingal Community College Loretto College Colaiste Choilm

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Board of Management 2018 (Interim)

ETB Nominees: Mr Gerry McGuire, Mr Ken Farrell & Ms Claire Markey

Teacher Nominees: Ms Aoife Smith & Mr Paul Geraghty

Parent Nominees: Ms Jacqueline Kilbride & Mr Kevin Lynn

Community Representatives: TBC

College Management Structure and Decision-Making Processes

The Management Structure is common to ETB second level schools. The Board of Management oversees the running of the college, through regular Board Meetings, at which reports are given from two councils (Teachers and Parents). The Principal gives a report at these meetings also.

The Board delegates the day-to-day running of the college to the Principal. The Principal has two main working groups who aid him with the running of the school and decision-making process; the School Development Planning Committee and the Student Wellbeing Committee.

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College PersonnelTeaching and Non-Teaching

Principal: Mark McDonald

Behaviour Support Teacher Aoife Smith

Guidance Counsellor & Wellbeing Co-ordinator

Prema Nayar

School Development Planning Colette Duffy

ICT & TEL Coordinator Lyndsey Balfe

SEN Co-ordinator Kate O’Mahoney

Health and Safety Co-ordinator Mark McDonald

Music & Choir Co-ordinator Gavin O’Donnell

Sports & ASC Co-ordinator Paul Geraghty

Administration Staff Caitríona Prendeville

Caretaker Rory O’Connor

Summary of Teaching Staff

Number of Teachers on Staff: Total: 16 Male: 5 Female: 11

Number of Permanent Whole-time Teachers (including CIDs): 7

Number of Permanent Part-time Teachers: 3

Number of Fixed Term Part-time Teachers: 6

Number of Secretary (s): 1 Cleaner (s): 0 Caretaker (s): 1

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Subject Teachers

Teacher Name SubjectAoife Smith Science, Philosophy, CSPE &

ResourceColette Duffy Home Economics, Religion, SPHE &

ResourceGavin O’Donnell Gaeilge & Music

Lyndsey Balfe Technology, Technical Graphics, Coding, SPHE & Resource

Paul Geraghty History, Geography & Resource

Kate O’Mahony English, History & Resource

Ferran Sierra Martinez P.E., Spanish & Resource

Niamh Canavan Art, Wellbeing & Resource

Carmel Clarke English, Religion & Resource

Ciara Punch Maths, Coding, SPHE & Resource

Conor Savage English & Resource

Gregory O’Reilly French, CSPE, Philosophy & Resource

Leanne Ryan Maths, Science & Resource

Robyn Reilly Business, Geography & Resource

Etáin O’Moore Career Guidance

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School Policies

Policy Title Date adopted by Board Date of Next Review

Admissions & Participation Policy incorporating procedures for transferring from another second- level school – see full policy at Appendices

12th September 2019 September 2020

Child Protection Policy – see Appendices 2nd May 2019 May 2020

Counter-Bullying Policy – see full policy at Appendices

28th May 2019 May / June 2020

School Code of Positive Behaviour– see full policy at Appendices

2nd May 2019 May 2020

Special Education Needs Policy Draft

Acceptable Usage Policy Draft

Critical Incident Policy Draft

Fraud Policy ETB Policy

Data Protection Policy ETB Policy

Protected Disclosures Policy ETB Policy

Freedom of Information Policy ETB Policy

School Calendar – See Appendices

Admission Criteria

“The College will use the following order of priority to allocate places:1. Siblings of current students.2. Students of families living in the defined catchment area and attending a listed

feeder school.3. Students who live in the defined catchment area, but do not attend a listed school.4. Students attending a listed school who live outside the defined catchment area.5. Students who live outside the defined catchment area and attend a school outside

the defined catchment area.

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The offer of a place is conditional on the following: The student has reached the required age of 12 on the 1st January in the calendar

year following the child’s entry into first year; Students of Irish nationality have completed sixth class in Primary school; Applicants

must have reached 12 years of age by January 1st of their first year in the college. Students from other countries have reached a comparable standard of education; A fully completed application, including a copy of the applicant’s Birth Certificate

(Long Form), two passport photographs (with name on the back) and proof of address.

The student attends and completes the College entrance assessment in the period January - March preceding their entry to the College.”

Student Transfers from other Second-Level Schools(Extract from Admissions Policy)

“Students may transfer from another second-level school, at the start of each school year only, (excluding applications to repeat 1st Year, as detailed on page 2). No transfer requests will be accepted after September 30th. The closing date for receipt of applications for the academic year commencing in August is May 31st of that same calendar year.

The Principal is authorised by the Board of Management to administer the Admissions Policy. However, applications may have to be brought to the Board of Management for their consideration. In line with the Education Welfare Act 2000, these decisions will be notified to parents as soon as possible.

While recognising the right of parents to enrol their child in the school of their choice, the Board of Management upholds the rights of the existing school community and in particular the students already enrolled. Principles of natural justice will apply to act in the best interests of all students. The Board reserves the right to determine the maximum number of students in each class group bearing in mind the following:

Department of Education guidelines in relation to the maximum class size and staffing provision

Size and space of classrooms Health and safety of students Educational needs of the applicants The needs of the current students Overall ethos of the college and the health and safety of the school community.

The decision on a transfer application from a student enrolled in another school will be determined by the following considerations:

1. The availability of a suitable place in Swords Community College.2. The ability of the school to provide an education appropriate to the needs of the

student.3. The duty of the school authorities to maintain an orderly school environment.

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BOM – Know Your School / College / CentreProcedures for Transfer Applications

Parents must apply to the school on a fully completed official Application Form. The application must be accompanied by the student’s two most recent school

reports and any educational / psychological reports that are available. The student and parent(s) / guardian(s) will attend an interview, the purpose of

which is to ascertain if the student is suitable for admission, given curricular provision, subject choices and facilities available; will benefit from attendance in our college; and will contribute positively to our school community.

Parent(s) / Guardian(s) will be informed in writing of the outcome of their application.

It is a condition of admission that the student and parent(s) / guardian(s) will accept and sign the Code of Positive Behaviour of the college.

In order to have an application considered on behalf of a student who has been expelled or whose expulsion has been decided upon by the Board of Management of their current school, parents are required to provide written evidence of the completion of the appeals process provided for under Section 29 of the Education Act, 1998.”

School’s Pastoral Care Structures/Supports

SCC is developing a tradition of offering the highest standards of pastoral care, ensuring that our students are cared for and capable of achieving their full potential; academically, socially and personally. We attempt to put the learner at the centre of all activities. Each class is assigned a Class Tutor who provides pastoral care to the students. We also have a House System, which means students will have a sense of belonging, not just to their year group, but also to the younger members of their house.

All students in the school have an SPHE class with their tutor, which allows for open discussion about school and wider societal issues. Parent-Teacher Meetings take place annually for each year group and we will organise a Parent-Tutor Meeting once a year, where 15 minutes is given to each parent to meet with their child’s tutor and discuss their holistic development. We also provide a Counselling and Career Guidance service to our students and where needed further referral can be made to the ETB’s Psychological Support Service.

All of this is underpinned by our Wellbeing efforts, where we are in line with the Department of Education’s schedule of providing 400 hours of Wellbeing to students with their Junior Cycle.

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Details of Special Needs Provision

SCC will always attempt to provide a holistic educational experience to all students who enrol in our college, but we make a particular effort to ensure that students presenting with a special or additional need have their needs thoroughly met. Through the resources provided by the National Council for Special Education, we provide resource support for all students who qualify for such resource. This can be done on a one-to-one basis if necessary but more times in small groups. We are also committed to continually developing team teaching practices, which has already started in our first year.

Students who qualify and are granted access to a Special Needs Assistant are given as much access to the SNA as possible. Sometimes we have to prioritise in these situations. We are committed to a process which will see each student with SNA access having an Individual Education Plan.

Sometimes we have students in our college who do not qualify for SNA or Resource support but who need this support anyway. We always attempt to provide the support needed, even if it is not granted through the NCSE.

The following extract from our Draft SEN Policy summarises our approach:

“The Board of Management and the staff of the College will do everything possible to identify, plan and provide for the special or additional needs of students seeking admission to the College. Every effort will be made to provide an integrated and inclusive education. The 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 special or additional educational needs.

“A child with special educational needs shall be educated in an inclusive environment with children who do not have such needs unless the nature or degree of those needs of the child is such that to do so would be inconsistent with—

(a) the best interests of the child as determined in accordance with any assessment carried out under this Act, or

(b) the effective provision of education for children with whom the child is to be educated.” (EPSEN ACT, 2004; paragraph 2).”

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School Organisations

Parents’ Council – Structure, Officers, etc.

Our Parent Council was founded in 2018. It meets several times a year within the school, generally on a Thursday night. The current structure of the Parent Council is:

Victoria Lyons Blair – Chairperson Adrienne Ryan – Secretary Geraldine O’Connor - Treasurer

Student Council – Structure, Membership, etc.

Our Student Council was founded in early 2019. It meets at lunchtime approximately once a month. The current structure of the Student Council is:

Ashling Parkinson – Chairperson Rebecca Curry – Vice Chairperson Adisa Nakicevic – Secretary Mihaela Mosneagu – Treasurer Marcel Czubak – Public Relations Officer Calum Holmes – Technology Ambassador Sarah Rose Keating – Environmental Officer Liam Barry – Wellbeing Officer

Other

School Development Planning CommitteeStudent Wellbeing CommitteeGreen Schools Committee

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Student Profile

Year Group Total Boys Girls

1st Year 112 74 38

2nd Year 54 25 29

3rd Year 0 0 0

Transition Year 0 0 0

5th Year – Leaving Certificate 0 0 0

5th Year – Leaving Certificate Applied 0 0 0

6th Year – Leaving Certificate 0 0 0

6th Year – Leaving Certificate Applied 0 0 0

Post Leaving Certificate – Year 1 0 0 0



Total 166 99 67

School Enrolment – Last 10 YearsYear Enrolment

2009/2010 02010/2011 02011/2012 02012/2013 02013/2014 02014/2015 02015/2016 02016/2017 02017/2018 02018/2019 53

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School Self-Evaluation Reports – Not Available Yet

School Improvement Plan / DEIS Action Plan – N/A

School Plan – with date for next review – Not Available Yet

Recent (2 years) school inspection reports – N/A

Student Academic Achievements

(Percentage transferring to 3rd Level, recent performance in Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate examinations – comparison with national averages)

Not Applicable Yet

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CurriculumSubjects offered at Senior Cycle

SUBJECT SUBJECT SUBJECT

Subjects School would like to offer at Senior CycleSUBJECT SUBJECT SUBJECT

Subjects offered at Junior CycleSUBJECT SUBJECT SUBJECT

Irish English MathematicsFrench History Geography

Religious Education CSPE SPHEScience Physical Education Art

Business Studies Home Economics TechnologyMusic Technical Graphics Guidance

SpanishCoding (Short Course) Performance Arts

(Short Course)Philosophy (Short Course)

Subjects School would like to offer at Junior Cycle

SUBJECT SUBJECT SUBJECTWoodwork Metalwork

List of Current PLC courses offered & delivered – N/A

Evening Class Programme – N/A

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Extra-Curricular Activities – Student Involvement / Achievement

Student CouncilArts & Crafts ClubBook ClubFutsal TeamSoccer TeamGAA Football TeamChoirMusic ClubEnterprise ClubYoung ScientistHomework Clubs

Achievement:Student of the Week AwardsMusic & Merits (Twice Yearly)Points System (on VSware)

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School Accommodation / Facilities

% of accommodation Permanent 0%

% of accommodation Prefabricated (Temporary) 100%

Average Age of Prefabricated Buildings New

No of General Classrooms 7

No of Science Laboratories 1

No of Home Economics rooms 0

No of Art rooms 0

No of Metal Work rooms 0

No of Engineering rooms 0

No of Woodwork rooms 0

No of Building Construction rooms 0

No of Technical Graphics rooms 0

No of Design & Communications Graphics rooms 0

No of Music rooms 0

No of Computer Rooms 0

No of Resource Rooms 1

No of Sports Halls 0

No of Gyms 0

No of Dance Studios 0

No of Canteens 0

Urgent teaching and learning accommodation needs

We need our permanent accommodation to be completed for the 2020/2021 academic year.

Medium-term teaching and learning accommodation needs

Again we need the permanent accommodation to be completed. We need to develop our ASD Centre (An Cosán) within the next two to three years.

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FinanceBudget allocation for current school year: €40,000

Main items of expenditure:

Set up costs Purchasing of all new equipment Telephones ICT Equipment Paper Office Supplies Cleaning Essentials Oil for Generator

Are there other school accounts in existence? No

Balance in each bank account

Account Name Balance

Swords Community College c. €9,000

Any financial challenges facing the school

Maintaining and purchasing iPads for staff as the school continues to grow at a fast pace.

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Four Key Strengths of the School

1. Reputation in the Community for Student-Centred Education

2. Dedicated and Passionate Teaching Staff

3. High number of Applications for Places

4. Modern and Well-Equipped Campus coming soon

Four Opportunities for the School

1. The Development of a New Campus

2. Continue to Develop our Reputation for Academic Achievement

3. Solidify our Links with Feeder Schools to ensure Numbers into the Future

4. To Become an Apple Distinguished School

Four Non-Financial Challenges Facing the School

1. To Continue to Enhance our Reputation in a Competitive Environment

2. Continue to Excel in Provision for SEN and Academically-Advanced

students

3. To Rival Well-Established Schools in Academic Achievement

4. To Develop a Profile as a College within Swords

Four Threats to the Future of the School

1. Spending a second year in temporary accommodation

2. Inability to Continue on TEL Route due to Financial Restraints

3. Lack of middle-management structure

4.

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