Parents - Tarbert Comprehensive School

Parents Role within the Education Process

The Irish Constitution states that parents have primary responsibility for educating their child and it guarantees the parents’ right and duty to provide for their children’s education. It also says that the State requires that children receive 'a certain minimum education'. Under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 parents must make sure that their children receive a certain minimum education from the age of 6 to the age of 16.

Tarbert Comprehensive works as partners in the education process with parents. The School and home therefore aims to support the student in their educational journey so that all may achieve their potential. To this end dialogue is crucial and parents are encouraged at all times to maintain communication with the school. This can be done by way of the school journal, parent teacher meetings or telephone. Indeed if there is something of a sensitive nature you would like to discuss then a face to face meeting with a member of staff is encouraged and facilitated. Appointment is advised is these instances.

Outside of School there is a range of organisations and schemes providing support and information to parents concerning the education of their children.

They include the following:

Túsla

Túsla is the Government agency responsible for making sure that children attend school regularly. The Agency’s educational welfare officers (EWOs) work with schools, teachers and parents with a view to encouraging regular school attendance and developing strategies to reduce absenteeism and early school leaving. The EWOs also act as advocates or supports to parents, guardians and children experiencing difficulty with school attendance or educational welfare. Tarbert Comprehensive School maintains regular contact with Túsla and the EWO. Quarterly attendance returns are made to Túsla on student attendance. The School has an overall Attendance Policy that encourages regular attendance.

Parents’ Association

Parents have a legal right to establish a parents’ association and all parents of school going children in the Comprehensive are members. The operation of the Association is managed through its Executive Committee and Officers who meet regularly.

The primary aim of a parents’ association is to represent the interests of parents of children attending the school and to promote good relationships between parents and the school Board of Management, the Principal and the teachers. It can also adopt a programme of activities that will promote the involvement of parents in the management of the school with the Board’s approval.

The important role of parents' associations is described in the circulars on parents as partners in post primary education namely: M27/91, which is available on the website of the Department of Education and Skills.

Tarbert Comprehensive has an active parents Association. An AGM occurs usually in September/October and an election of officers occurs soon after. The activities of the Association are governed by a Constitution (available in the Parents Association section of this website)

Boards of Management

Tarbert Comprehensive is governed by a Boards of Management. The Board delegates the day to day running and organisation of the school to the Principal.

The term of office of a Comprehensive School Board of Management is five years and an election/nomination process is conducted at the end of the term. Parents are represented on the Board through the election of two representatives, one male and one female.

Overall the Board of Management consists of:

Two nominees of the local Catholic Bishop, one of whom acts as Chairperson
A nominee of the local Education and Training Board
The Chief Executive Officer (or designate) for the time being of Kerry ETB
Two elected parent nominees (one male, one female)
Two elected teacher nominees
One other who may be co-opted
The Principal will normally attend all Board of Management meetings

You can find out more about our current Board of Managment in the dedicated Board of Managment section of this Website.

National Council for Special Education

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is a statutory body with responsibility for improving the delivery of education services to people with special educational needs. One of its primary roles is to provide information to parents in relation to the entitlements of children with special educational needs in primary and second-level schools. The NCSE employs Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) who are responsible for allocating additional teaching and other resources to support the special educational needs of children with disabilities at local level. SENOs are the point of contact for parents/guardians and schools.

In Tarbert Comprehensive parents may contact the Special Education Needs department or the Deputy Principal for further queries on SEN provision.

National Educational Psychological Service

The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides an educational psychology service to primary and post-primary schools. NEPS psychologists specialise in working with teachers, parents and children in identifying educational needs and providing a consultation service for teachers and parents. Children are normally referred to NEPS through the school Principal and parents should discuss any concerns regarding learning difficulties with school personnel.