Department of Education issue ‘duty to verify’ guidance to Primary Schools..

While I was looking for the uniform guidelines I happened upon some others.. Following the recent High Court ruling on the allocation of places at St Cecilia’s College the Department has published guidance on their recommendations on schools’ “duty to verify” information [pdf file]. Interestingly, even though the ruling was on a case brought by a post-primary school, the text refers to guidance for primary schools, perhaps suggesting they intend to introduce the ‘duty to verify’ for next year’s new intake, although the letter is addressed to all Principals and Boards of Governors and surely all schools will have a ‘duty to verify’? The final piece of guidance is worth noting

Notwithstanding all of the above, if a primary school becomes aware, at any stage prior to enrolment, that an applicant has gained a place by using false information within their application, then the primary school has an obligation to withdraw the place and allocate it correctly in line with their admissions criteria.

Pete Baker