Requirements

In order to ensure that each scheme gives effect to the purpose and the principles, the legislation specifies the following requirements relating to content in Sections 11C, 11D, 11E and 11I.

1. Each scheme must contain a home zone with clearly defined geographic boundaries.  See 11E(1).

2. Students who live in the home zone have an absolute right to enrol at the school.  See 11D(1).

3. The boundaries of the zone must touch or overlap the boundaries of the zones in any neighbouring schemes.  See 11I(1)(c).  Note that this requirement is meant to be read in conjunction with requirement 5 below.  It is not meant to apply to a situation where School A, which does not operate an enrolment scheme, lies between Schools B and C which do operate enrolment schemes.  The home zone boundaries of Schools B and C do not have to touch.

4. A student living in the home zone must find it reasonably convenient to attend the school.  See 11E(2a).

5. The home zone must be drawn in such a way that every student can attend a reasonably convenient school.  See 11I(1)(b).

6. The scheme must promote the best use of the network of State schools in the area.  See 11I(1)(d).

7. Out of zone students who apply for enrolment at the school must be accepted in the following order of priority:

(a) students accepted for enrolment in a special programme run by the school;

(b) siblings of current students;

(c) siblings of former students;

(d) children of board employees;

(e) all other students.

8. If there are more applicants in priority groups (b)-(e) than there are places available, selection within the priority group must be by ballot.

Because these requirements cover so many of the aspects of the content of enrolment schemes, all enrolment schemes will look very similar.  To assist schools, the Ministry has therefore developed a pro forma enrolment scheme.  This is given as Appendix 1.