Statutory School Policies Checklist for Boards of Management (Ireland)

A free downloadable checklist for boards of management to assess the school's current policy position.

Note on source: No live Irish article currently mirrors the UK "Statutory Policies Checklist" format one-for-one. This version has been synthesised from the mandatory-policy and publication content already live in the Irish Policy Review and Policy Publication articles, restructured to match the UK checklist's format for parity. Recommend a policy/legal review pass before publishing, since it is new synthesis rather than a direct extraction.

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1. Policy Inventory

• The school maintains a central policy register
• All policies are listed in one place, with version numbers
• Policies are categorised by type, legislative basis and ownership (school-created vs. patron template)

2. Ownership

• Every policy is assigned to a named owner
• Responsibility for initiating review is clearly defined
• Escalation responsibility is defined for overdue reviews

3. Review Status

• The last review date is recorded for every policy
• The next scheduled review date is recorded
• Overdue policies (e.g. Child Safeguarding Statement past its annual review) can be identified quickly

4. Board and Patron Approval

• The board knows which policies require full board ratification (Child Safeguarding Statement, Code of Behaviour, Anti-Bullying Policy, Admissions Policy, Data Protection Policy, Health and Safety Statement)
• The board knows which policies require patron approval before publication (Admissions Policy, per the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018)
• Approval dates are recorded and linked to specific policy versions
• Approval decisions are clearly reflected in board minutes
• Adoption of patron-issued templates (CPSMA, Educate Together, etc.) is recorded with adoption date

5. Publication Requirements

• All required documents are published on the school website
• The Child Safeguarding Statement is displayed prominently in the school and available to parents, Tusla and the public on request
• Published versions are current and aligned with board-approved versions
• A process exists for updating published copies when policies are approved

6. Evidence

• Supporting evidence can be located quickly if requested
• The review history of key policies can be demonstrated
• The board can evidence its governance oversight of policy matters

7. Policy Categories to Check Against Your Register

Child protection and safeguarding

• Child Safeguarding Statement (Children First Act 2015)

Enrolment and behaviour

• Admissions Policy
• Code of Behaviour
• Anti-Bullying Policy (aligned to Bí Cineálta DES procedures)
• School Attendance Strategy

Health, safety and data

• Health and Safety Statement
• Data Protection / GDPR Policy

Other

• Complaints procedures
• SEN provision policy
• Internet acceptable use policy
• Any additional patron-specific policy requirements

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This checklist is a practical readiness guide for governance self-review. It does not constitute legal advice or a guarantee of inspection outcomes — always confirm current requirements against the latest DES circulars and Tusla guidance.

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Source articles: Irish School Policy Review Checklist, School Policy Publication in Ireland