CLASS ALLOCATION POLICY

INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT:

It was a recommendation of a Whole School Evaluation (WSE) carried out by Fionnuala Tynan, School Inspector on 18th May 2012 that a policy on staff rotation be devised and implemented. It evolved over time and was recently drafted and applies to teachers and special needs assistants.

LINK TO SCHOOL ETHOS:

St. Brid’s Special School is committed to enabling children to reach their full potential. We also strive to ensure pupils maximise their academic and social potential.
This policy is geared towards those aims through offering all pupils exposure to a variety of teaching methodologies and skills.

RATIONALE:

This policy ensures that the learning opportunities of the pupils is maximised and that children have access to staff with specific skills and qualifications in particular subjects. It also offers the staff the opportunity to expand their skills through working with a range of different disabilities and age groups.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES:

The policy also facilitates the allocation of rooms suitable to the needs of the children, as far as possible.
⦁ To facilitate the smooth efficient running of the school.
⦁ To maximise the learning opportunities of the pupils through prudent class allocation which utilises to the optimum the range of individual teaching skills within the staff.
⦁ To enable the staff to professionally develop themselves through exposure to different age groups and curricula.

POLICY CONTENT:
CLASS ALLOCATION:

The allocation of staff (teachers & SNA’s) within the school is a matter for the Principal. However it is the policy of the school to reach collective agreement and consensus when distributing duties. The Principal facilitates this process in a fair and equitable way, taking into account the needs of the pupils and the qualifications, experience, personality and preferences of staff.
“The Principal is responsible for the creation, together with the Board, parents of students and the teachers, of a school environment which is supportive of learning among the students and which promotes the professional development of the teachers” (Education Act – Section 23).

⦁ St. Brid’s Special School enrols pupils (4-18 yrs) with a range of special educational needs. These include pupils with moderate, severe & profound general learning difficulties, sensory and multiple needs and pupils within the autistic spectrum disorder.

It is the school policy to rotate teaching staff every 2 years. Any variation to the policy will be brought to the BOM. At the end of the school year, staff complete a form in which they list the 2 classes they would like to be assigned to for the coming year in order of preference.

⦁ The Principal will allocate classes according to the class preference form completed by the staff. The Principal will also take other factors into account when making these decisions such as:
⦁ Experience
⦁ Range of classes already taught/not taught
⦁ Motivation
⦁ Personality
⦁ Domestic and social situations
⦁ Special qualifications and talents

⦁ Class Allocation relies heavily on compromise and consensus. If this is not possible to reach, the Principal will make an informed decision based on suitability, experience, special talents, courses taken and what is in the best interests of the pupils concerned.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

All staff, under the guidance of the Principal participate in and contribute to the implementation of an effective and equitable class allocation policy. Grievances are dealt with at a Principal/staff level and will only transfer to the Board if a compromise cannot be reached.

SUCCESS CRITERIA:

The school evaluates the success of the policy through:
⦁ Participation of all staff in the Policy
⦁ Feedback from all staff
⦁ Staff satisfaction
⦁ Parental satisfaction

TIMETABLE FOR REVIEW:

A review will be conducted based on the success criteria outlined, or where consensus and compromise is not achieved.

RATIFICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION:

This policy was ratified by the Board in December 2021

REFERENCES:

Education Act 1998-Section 22 & 23.
Circular 16/73.
WSE Report – May 2012.
CPSMA-Board Members Handbook.
IPPN Resources.