Dear Parents/Guardians,
Please contact Mrs McCafferty at the school office if you require any help or assistance in applying for a Post Primary place for your child. The admission criteria's for all local schools can be found here: https://www.goodshepherdps.net/parents-area/post-primary-admissions-criteria/ in the 'Parents Area' of the school website for easy access. They are also available on the Education Authority website here: https://www.eani.org.uk/parents/admissions
Important Information from the Education Authority:
The ‘Apply Now’ link for Post Primary applications will be live on the EA website from Tuesday 30 January at 12 noon. Applications will close on Thursday 22 February 2024 at 12 noon. Applications are not considered on a first come, first served basis. It is important to submit your applications by 12 noon on 22 February 2024 as an application received after this time will be treated as 'late' by the school and this may affect the chance of being offered a place in the school.
It is recommended that parents use a supported internet browser e.g. Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari etc. The application will not work on Internet Explorer. It is the responsibility of parents to check that all relevant information is included on their child’s application before submitting it. A number of resources are available online including tutorial videos, FAQs and quick reference guides, in multiple languages, to support parents with the Post Primary application process via EA Connect.
Parents can check if their child would be eligible for transport assistance to school on the EA website - Check Transport Eligibility.
Parents have the right to express school preferences, but no child can be guaranteed a place at any particular school. More than half of Post Primary schools are oversubscribed and not all children who apply will receive a place at an oversubscribed school. To ensure a child has the best chance of being offered a Post Primary school place of their choice, it is strongly recommended that at least four schools are listed in the order of preference and include at least one non-grammar school. Up to 12 schools can be listed on the online application and if more are needed these may be emailed to EA.
It is important that parents read the admissions criteria of the schools they are considering. This will help them to assess if their child is likely to be offered a place. The criteria inform how the school will decide which children will be selected if the school is oversubscribed. Parents should think about how well their child meets the criteria which can be found on the EA website. If parents have queries on a school’s criteria they must contact the school for clarification.
Information on the number of applications the school received in previous years and the number of pupils who were accepted are included in the school's criteria to let parents know if the school is usually oversubscribed.
Regards,
Mrs S. McCafferty
