Planning

Each year the board must determine the likely number of places that will be available in the following year. This number has to be publicised in a daily or community newspaper circulating in the area served by the school. [Section 11J(2) as modified by Section 11PB( c)(ii)]

Enrolment cannot be allowed to occur haphazardly, otherwise it could happen that local students would have to be excluded to avoid exceeding the maximum roll. Each year, therefore, in respect of the next academic year, the board must make every effort to assess the likely number of preference students for whom the school is reasonably convenient, because under its scheme the board is required to give its highest level of commitment to these students.

This is particularly important in primary schools, where students are progressively enrolled throughout the year as they turn five years of age. Having made every effort to establish the number of preference students for whom the school is reasonably convenient and who will probably be applicants for places in the next academic year, the board will be in a position to estimate the number of places that are likely to be available for other students. This will help the board to avoid a situation in which preference students who live near the school have to be declined enrolment because too many preference students who live at a distance have been enrolled at an earlier date.

Refer to the section below entitled "Letting the public know". This explains how the results of the board's planning must be communicated to the public each year.