Assessment of Education Provision Independent Schools

Independent Schools are subject to an initial assessment and are assessed periodically thereafter. Further details are available in the Department of Education 2003 publication Guidelines on the Assessment of Education in Places Other Than Recognised Schools.

Principals of Independent Schools are required to assist the authorised person to conduct the assessment of the school provision on behalf of the parents/guardians of children attending, in order that a registration decision can be made. On enrolment at an Independent School that has previously been assessed and where children attending are on the Section 14 Register, a child’s name will be added to the S14 Register on confirmation of attendance from the school principal and receipt of a completed R1 application. The principal of a child’s Independent School is required to periodically provide information to the Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service regarding the provision and the children enrolled at the school.

Before a child’s name can be placed on the register, the education being provided must be assessed under Section 14 of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, in line with the Guidelines on the Assessment of Education in Places other than a Recognised School 2003 issued by the Minister of Education . The assessment of the education provision is to determine if the child/ren are in receipt of a certain minimum education.

A report outlining the findings of the assessment is provided to the principal of the Independent School. The assessment report includes the authorised person’s evaluation of the provision, and the Tusla AEARS Registration Panel’s decision regarding the eligibility of children attending the school to be included on the register for children in receipt of an education in a place other than a recognised school. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of children attending the school and on the Section 14 Register are entitled to a copy of the Assessment Report, which should be requested from the school principal or parents/guardians can contact the AEARS Independent School team. 

The registration, and assessment of the education provision is subject to periodic review by the Child and Family Agency.