Principals have proposed a shakeup of the school entry system in Ireland.

The Irish Primary Principals' Network (IPPN) suggested the new setup should see parents ranking their choices of school in a centralised applications system.

Such a move would result in parents of up to 120,000 pupils being required to fill out Central Applications Office (CAO)-style forms in order to secure a place for their child in a primary school or secondary school.

It is hoped that adoption of the new approach would serve to make the admission system fairer and help to standardise enrolment policies.

Sean Cottrell, director of the IPPN, described current enrolment policy as uneven, claiming priority should be given to children with siblings already attending a school, as well as those living closest to it.

Mr Cottrell stated: "Families that have traditionally lived within a school's catchment area and attended that school should not be disadvantaged by those living in newer houses located closer to the school."

Written by Donal Walsh

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