SMS-PR-027: Enrolment in State Primary, Secondary and Special Schools

• Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 Chapter 8 Parts 1-3 http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/E/EducGenPrA06.pdf
• Education (General Provisions) Regulation 2006 2006 http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/E/EducGenPrR06.pdf
• Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 Division 3 Subdivisions 1-2 http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/ACTS/1991/91AC085.pdf
• Commonwealth Disability Discrimination Act (1992) Part 2 Division 2 Section 22 http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/dda1992264/
• Commonwealth Disability Standards for Education 2005 Part 4 http://www.dest.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/482C1E4B-9848-4CC3-B395-067D79853095/4592/Disability_Standards_for_Education_2005.pdf
• The Schools Assistance (Learning Together - Achievement through Choice and Opportunity) Act 2004 http://www.dest.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/87F5CCDD-3409-4D96-B3D9-48CE5B8B1222/7749/SchoolsAssistanceRegulations200518Aug05.pdf
• Families Responsibilities Commission Act 2008 2008 http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/F/FamRespComA08.pdf

• CRP-PR-009: Inclusive Education /strategic/eppr/curriculum/crppr009/
• LGS-PR-006: Decision-making and Responding to a Request for Reasons for a Decision /strategic/eppr/legal/lgspr006/
• SMS-PR-005: Interstate Student Data Transfer Note /strategic/eppr/students/smspr005/
• SMS-PR-008: Family Law Matters Affecting State Educational Institutions /strategic/eppr/students/smspr008/
• SMS-PR-009: School Transport Assistance Program for Students with Disabilities /strategic/eppr/students/smspr009/
• SMS-PR-013: Allocation of State Education /strategic/eppr/students/smspr013/
• SMS-PR-017: Enforcement of Compulsory Schooling and Compulsory Participation /strategic/eppr/students/smspr017/
• SMS-PR-018: Information Sharing under Child Protection Act 1999 /strategic/eppr/students/smspr018/
• SMS-PR-019: Mature Age Students /strategic/eppr/students/smspr019/
• SMS-PR-021: Safe, Supportive and Disciplined School Environment /strategic/eppr/students/smspr021/
• SCM-PR-023: Enrolment Management Plans /strategic/eppr/schools/scmpr023/
• SMS-PR-036: Roll marking in State schools /strategic/eppr/students/smspr036/

Statement of intent

Education Queensland provides equitable educational opportunities to ensure that all students have access to, participate in and gain positive outcomes from schooling through a range of curriculum options delivered across Primary, Secondary and Special Schools. To support this commitment, a flexible model of delivery of educational services is essential.

Eligible children and young people are entitled to enrol at their closest appropriate school. Some primary and secondary schools may have reached enrolment capacity and have an enrolment management plan in place. This means students may not be entitled to enrol unless they live within the local catchment area, or, for students from outside the local catchment area, have met eligibility criteria contained in the plan.

From 2007, children of eligible age may attend a full-time non-compulsory Preparatory Year of education before starting Year 1. Children will be five by 30 June in the year they intend to commence Prep.

Queensland State schools offer enrolment to children of compulsory school age and to young people of compulsory participation age. Specific provisions apply to those students who are 18 years or older at time of enrolment.

When creating official school records, the name on the child's birth certificate is used. Students are able to enrol under a surname the enrolling parent requests if such an action is not intended to defraud, to contravene a court order or infringe the other parent's rights.

People from the communities of Aurukun, Coen, Hopevale and Mossman Gorge may be subject to the Families Responsibilities Commission Act 2008 .

In cases when the Director-General becomes aware that a child of compulsory school age is not enrolled in a school, and the child, or a parent of the child lives, or at any time after 1 July 2008 has lived, in a welfare reform area, the parent's failure to enrol that child must be reported to the Families Responsibilities Commission, using the approved form, unless the child has an exemption or the compulsory schooling requirement does not apply through circumstances such as home education (see SMS-PR-017: Enforcement of Compulsory Schooling and Compulsory Participation ).

Schools develop enrolment agreements 53k that outline rights, responsibilities and obligations about student's education at that school. Schools provide an enrolment package and agreement, student enrolment form 48k and other school information and policies to parents and students before enrolment is accepted. These inform parents and students of how certain matters are dealt with by school administration. The school's Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students and Student Dress Code are also provided to parents, along with policies, programs and services including for students with a disability.

A student's application for enrolment may be refused by the principal of the school on a number of grounds e.g. not meeting requirements for age, semester allocation, and enrolment management plan requirements. The Director-General may also refuse enrolment of a student in a particular school, a number of schools, or all schools if the student poses an unacceptable risk to the safety or well being of the school community.

The Disability Definition outlines criteria to assist in determining whether a State Special School is able to cater for the educational needs of a prospective student. Behavioural support needs alone are not sufficient criteria for enrolment in a Special School. Enrolment in a Special School 82k will depend on a number of factors relating to student needs and available levels of support, taking into consideration:

• all curriculum, mobility, social skills, personal care and communication needs;
• all supporting documentation from medical practitioners and other health and education professionals; and
• specialist nature of individualised program requiring high frequency adjustments to ensure student access to curriculum and achievement of learning outcomes.

Reviews of a decision against an ineligible notice for Special School enrolment are made to the Executive Director (Schools).

Students with significant educational support needs awaiting assessment for confirmation of a disability may be enrolled in a special school where all of the following conditions are met:

• program is offered for a period of no more than six months during which time a review occurs;
• access to program uses same criteria for initial enrolment of other students;
• with approval of Executive Director (Schools);
• with approval of parent;
• where intended educational program would be beneficial for student awaiting assessment.

All students who are enrolled in schools can access additional programs and services that support students with identified learning difficulties/disabilities and students with disabilities.  Principals in consultation with expert personnel decide the level of access to the programs and services  based on identified need.

All dual enrolments are negotiated between the principals of the two schools. For 2007, some Prep students with disabilities will have an approved dual enrolment between a state and non-state school. 

Upon enrolling at another school within Queensland, the student record is transferred from the old school to the new school via a Transfer Note. In cases where a student has moved from interstate, principals, with appropriate consent, are able to obtain student information from the previous school using Interstate Student Data Transfer Note.

The Queensland Government provides assistance for parents to transport their children to state schools where students meet the eligibility criteria. The School Transport Assistance Program focus is to assist parents rather than to remove their individual responsibility for school transport arrangements.

• School Transport Assistance Scheme or Phone 13 23 80.
• SMS-PR-009: School Transport Assistance Program for Students with Disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Seek enrolment of their child or themselves in the school of their choice.
• Contact school to enquire about specific enrolment procedures. At this time the school should advise whether there is an effective enrolment management plan in place at the school.
• Complete an application for student enrolment 48k at school if prospective student is under 18 years of age.
• Provide satisfactory evidence and documentation together with completed application for enrolment to the principal to demonstrate eligibility for enrolment at the school.
• If received from previous school, provide a Transfer Note of student.
• Acknowledge receipt (by voluntary signing) and understanding of expectations of enrolment agreement.
• Acknowledge receipt and understanding of Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students, Student Dress Code and other school policies, programs and services including those for students with a disability.
• Co-ordinate relevant information about their (child's) educational needs from other agencies or other professionals.
• Apply to review a decision against an ineligible enrolment in Special School to Executive Director (Schools).

• Make an application for enrolment in accordance with Mature Age Student provisions.
• Acknowledge receipt (by voluntarily signing) and understanding of expectations of enrolment agreement.
• Acknowledge receipt and understanding of Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students, Student Dress Code and other school policies, programs and services including those for students with a disability.

Principals - State Primary, Secondary and Special Schools:

• Provide a copy to parent or student living independently of school's enrolment package, including:
  • Application for student enrolment,
  • Enrolment Agreement,
  • Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students,
  • Student Dress Code,
  • Details on School Transport Assistance Scheme and School Transport Assistance Program for Students with Disabilities,
  • Other school policies, programs and services including those for students with disabilities.
• Ensure parents of prospective students with a disability are offered an opportunity to meet with Principal Education Officer, Student Services or delegate to discuss other school-based programs and services available across district/region and indicate on enrolment agreement whether this occurred;
• Receive and process applications for enrolment 48k of a person at a school;
• Require satisfactory evidence and appropriate documentation that the applicant is eligible to apply for enrolment at school. This may take the form of a birth certificate, rates notice, a lease agreement, a positive notice issued by Education Queensland, Australian citizenship document, Permanent Residence status or eligibility under a Visa Category;
• Assesses applicant's eligibility considering whether:
  • There is sufficient information/documentation provided by parent/prospective student.
  • A Transfer Note from the previous school has been provided; and if not, requests a Transfer Note from previous school enrolled. (Refer to Student Transfer Note and Interstate Student Data Transfer Note ).
  • Prospective student has sufficient remaining semester allocation of state education.
  • Prospective student is currently not under suspension or suspension pending an exclusion or has not completed period of suspension at another school. (Refer to Safe, Supportive and Disciplined School Environment).
  • Refer application for enrolment to Director-General that applicant poses an unacceptable risk to the safety and wellbeing of members of the school community. Refer to Refusal to Enrol - Risk to Safety or Wellbeing and await decision from Director-General before progressing further.
• In determining an applicant's eligibility for enrolment at state primary or secondary school consider also whether:
  • Prospective student is seeking to enrol for the first time at school.
  • School offers year level of education for prospective student.
  • School has an effective enrolment management plan and prospective student's residence falls within catchment area of school; or if outside catchment area, student meets other requirements of plan; (refer to Enrolment Management Plans).
  • Prospective student meets entry requirements for the regulated specialised educational program ie Smart Academies.
• Determine an applicant's eligibility for enrolment at state special school by:
  • Considering all criteria in Form B: Criteria for Enrolment in Special Schools 82k to assess applicant's specific eligibility for enrolment.
  • Where prospective student does not appear to meet the requirements for consideration for enrolment in the special school then:
    • Advise parents and Principal Advisor, Education Services that the student's application to enrol is not supported.
    • Refer parents to Principal Education Officer, Student Services to obtain information regarding other programs available for students with disabilities across the district.
  • Where prospective student does appear to meet all entry requirements for consideration for enrolment in the special school then:
    • Ensure parents are made aware of the Department's Inclusive Education Policy, and are making a fully informed decision to enrol their child into the special school.
    • Together with parent applies for enrolment of student in special school and forwards to Principal Advisor, Education Services to make decision using Form C: Application for Special School Enrolment 178k.
    • Refers application and documentation to Principal Adviser, Education Services if applicant poses as an unacceptable risk to the safety and wellbeing of members of school community. (Refer to Refusal to Enrol - Risk to Safety or Wellbeing ).
      

• Decide to enrol prospective student if prospective student is entitled to be enrolled in a state primary or secondary school (including when application for enrolment is referred back from Director-General as not a risk to safety and wellbeing of school community):
  • Notify applicant of enrolment decision.
  • Provide written advice to Principal Education Officer, Student Services when accepting a student into a program for students with disabilities using Form D: Acceptance of Student with a Disability into School-based Program 264k.
  • Provide written advice to Principal Education Officer, Student Services when approving the enrolment of a prep aged student with disabilities who has a dual enrolment between a state and non-state school using Modified Form D: Notification of Access to a School-Based Program 54k
• Finalise enrolment in a state special school by:
  • Upon confirmation by Principal Advisor, Education Services that Form C: Application for Special School Enrolment 178k  has been authorised, and Form E: Eligible Notice for Special School Enrolment 60k has been received -
    • Receive and process completed application for enrolment form 178k
    • Initiate discussions and procedures for Education Adjustments Program process where student is new to, or is yet to have a diagnosis of disability verified by Education Queensland.
  • Upon confirmation by Principal Advisor, Education Services that Form C: Application for Special School Enrolment 178k  has not been authorised, and Form F: Ineligible notice for Special School Enrolment 64k has been received -
    • Provide parents with referrals to local schools and/or Principal Education Officer, Student Services, who will provide information regarding programs/services for students with disabilities across district.
    • Forward original forms and associated documentation to Principal Education Officer, Student Services, who will ensure this information is stored in student's guidance file if enrolment in a state school follows.
• Discuss the school's enrolment agreement outlining rights and obligations with respect to:
  • Persons enrolled in State schools;
  • Parents of children enrolled in State schools; and
  • Teaching staff of school.
• Seek signature from parents and students (if appropriate) as acknowledgement of expectations of enrolment agreement and if not signed, then make notation on enrolment agreement that information has been provided and discussed.
  

• Discuss with parents on request available programs/services for students with disabilities in or across districts and keep records of meetings including documentation on programs/services provided to parents.
• Completes Form G: Programs and Services Options 71k when referring families to appropriate school programs/services for students with disabilities, being mindful of any school Enrolment Management Plans.
• Attends, or sends delegate to attend, enrolment meetings at Special Schools.
• Endorses transport assistance on a case by case basis in line with SMS-PR-009: School Transport Assistance Programs for Students with Disabilities.
• Supports principals in enrolment processes for students with disabilities.
  

• Considers and approves transport assistance on a case-by-case basis in line with SMS-PR-009: School Transport Assistance Programs for Students with Disabilities.
• Decides if student is eligible to enrol and completes, on receipt of Form C: Application for Special School Enrolment 178k either Form E: Eligible Notice for Special School Enrolment 60k or Form F: Ineligible Notice for Special School Enrolment 64k and forwards to parents (with Form H: Review of Special School Ineligibility 116k) and copies to Special School Principal and Principal Education Officer, Student Services.
• If application has been referred by principal as an unacceptable risk to safety of school community, process application in accordance with Refusal to Enrol - Risk to safety or Well being.
• Supports principals in enrolment processes for students with disabilities.
  

• Considers Principal's recommendation that an applicant poses an unacceptable risk to the safety and wellbeing of members of a school community and supports decision before progressing to Director-General.
• Reviews decisions against ineligible special school enrolment Form F: Ineligible Notice for Special School Enrolment 64k  and notifies outcome of reviews using Form I: Outcome of Review of Special School Enrolment Ineligibility 71k.
• Considers applications for enrolment at Special Schools for students with special considerations.
• Notifies parents of outcome of application for enrolment for students with special considerations using Form J: Special Considerations for Special School Enrolment Notification 108k
  

Forms

• Form A: Application for Enrolment in a State School 48k
• Form B: Criteria for Enrolment in Special Schools 82k
• Form C: Application for Special School Enrolment 178k
• Form D: Notification of Access to a School-based Program 264k
• Modified Form D: Dual Enrolment in Prep in a State and non-State School 54k
• Form E: Eligible Notice for Special School Enrolment 60k
• Form F: Ineligible Notice of Special School Enrolment 64k
• Form G: Programs and Services Options 71k
• Form H: Review of Special School Ineligibility 116k
• Form I: Outcome of Review of Special School Enrolment Ineligibility 71k
• Form J: Special Considerations Special School Enrolment Notification 108k
• Enrolment Agreement 53k

Not Applicable

Other relevant documents

• Definitions/strategic/eppr/students/smspr027/definitions.html
• Disability Definition for Education (General Provisions) Act 2006/strategic/eppr/students/smspr027/disabilitydefinition.html
• SCM-PR-003: Appropriate Use of Mobile Telephones and other Electronic Equipment by Students/strategic/eppr/schools/scmpr003/
• LGS-PR-001: Consent to use Copyright Material, Image, Recording or Name/strategic/eppr/legal/lgspr001/
• ICT-PR-004: Using the Department's Corporate ICT Network/strategic/eppr/ict/ictpr004/
• Scenario One: Enrolment at Local State School 92k/strategic/eppr/students/smspr027/scenario_one.doc
• Scenario Two: Enrolment at State Special School 67k/strategic/eppr/students/smspr027/scenario_two.doc
• Privacy Information Sheet for Parents 68k/strategic/eppr/students/smspr027/1privacy2006.pdf
• SMS-PR-017: Enforcement of Compulsory Schooling and Compulsory Participation Phas/strategic/eppr/students/smspr017/
• SMS-PR-028: Student Transfer Note/strategic/eppr/students/smspr028/
• FNM-PR-019: State Education Fees/strategic/eppr/finance/fnmpr019/
• SCM-PR-020: Refusal to Enrol: Risk to Safety or Wellbing/strategic/eppr/schools/scmpr020/
• SMS-PR-007: Variation to School Age Entry Enrolment/strategic/eppr/students/smspr007/

Contacts

For general information on enrolment, contact:

For general information on enrolment, contact:

For general information on enrolment, contact:

• SM-19: Admissions Policy - Version: February 2003
• SM-18: The Provision of Special Education Programs and Services to Students with Disabilities - Version: October 2001