Rockford Manor Procedure for students giving up a subject/programme/level change

1. Procedure for student giving up a subject

It should be extremely rare for any student not to follow the full school curriculum. A very
small number of students have exemptions from Irish and only those with exemptions are
excused from taking the subject. In a minority of cases it may be decided that a student can
benefit from a smaller number of subjects and additional support in the core subjects. Before
a student is given permission to give up a subject or to sit in the class and do other work:

 The matter must be discussed with both the Guidance Counsellor and/or Learning
Support Teacher- a note of any chance should be recorded in VSWARE
 The parents\guardians will be given the opportunity to discuss the matter with the
relevant teachers if necessary.
 If a change is practical the change will then be made subject to the
subjects/level/programme change form being signed by all relevant parties as outlined
in the SUBJECT/PROGRAMME CHANGE FORM
 Every effort will be made to provide students in this position with Learning Support if
this is required. If this is not possible he\she will have to remain in the assigned class.

2. Procedure for student changing to a new subject/programme during the school year
All subject changes/programme to be completed by October 10th where possible. In general,
it is educationally unsound for a student to change a subject/programme four to six weeks
into the school year and one of the main reasons is that the student will have lost a significant
amount of tuition time and project work with the subject/programme that she is about to
embark on.

It is important that students and parents get the selection and subject/programme choice
correct for fifth year and second year; as this will certainly prevent students from loss of
tuition time with a subject that has been chosen later in the academic year. The school
provides a comprehensive subject/programme choice programme for incoming 5th years. It is
vital that both students and parents engage fully with these.
 3. Operating Procedure subject/level/programme changes

 The student informs the class teacher that he/she wants to change a
subject/level/programme.

 The student is referred to the guidance counsellor to discuss potential college entry
implications of moving subjects/level/programme.

 The student brings a subject change form to the Deputy Principal requesting a change
of subjects/level/programme

 Deputy Principal checks if a place is available in the new subject class/programme

and the proposed change fits into the band structure and discusses the proposed
changed with the relevant teachers/programme coordinators.

 If a change is practical and a place is available in the new subjects/level/programme,

the change will then be made subject to the subjects/level/programme change form
being signed by all relevant parties as outlined in the SUBJECT/PROGRAMME
CHANGE FORM

 The signed off subjects/level/programme form is given to the deputy principal to be

filed.

 Changes will only be considered when all relevant parties outlined in

SUBJECT/PROGRAMME CHANGE FORM have been consulted
.
 Rockford Manor Secondary School
Stradbrook Road, Blackrock, Co Dublin.

SUBJECT/PROGRAMME CHANGE FORM

Students Name:_______________________________________________________
Class:_______________________________________________________________
Date:________________________________________________________________
Please tick relevant box
Changing Levels Changing Subject Giving up a subject Changing programme

Name of subject/programme to be discontinued:____________________________

Signature of teacher of existing subject/programme: ________________________

Name of replacement subject/programme (if applicable):_____________________

Signature of Teacher of replacement subject:______________________________

Guidance Counsellor _______________________________________________

Signature of Relevant Dean/programme coordinator:_______________________

Signature of Parent/Guardian:__________________________________________

Principal:____________________________________________________________
Please note:
All subjects/level/programme changes must be discussed with the relevant teachers, deans,
programme coordinator and guidance counsellor before students move class.