Retention
This is a child page of Policies
Policy on Retention
Based on Departmental Guidelines
The Primary School curriculum is designed as an eight year course, including a two-year infant cycle followed by six years in standards from first to sixth, with the children progressing to the next grade at the end of each school year. The primary curriculum is flexible and child-centred, and can be adapted to meet children's needs.
Under the Department's policy, children should only repeat a year for educational reasons and no pupil should be held back for longer than one year throughout his/her national school career.
All infant level retention is at the discretion of the infant teacher in consultation with the infant teacher with the parents, otherwise it is felt that 1st, 3rd, and 5th are the most beneficial classes for retention. However, if a class teacher deems it necessary to retain a child, this may be done in consultation with parents.
Departmental guidelines do not encourage retention in 6th class.
Review
We will review this policy in September 2010 and responsibility for the review lies with the Board of Management and the teaching staff.
