Programmes

We endeavour to equip our students with key skills for the future and instil in them a love of lifelong learning  as well as personal growth.

Transition Year

Transition Year is a one year programme taken after the Junior Certificate and before the Leaving Certificate Programme. Transition Year is offered to all students as an option for those who wish to follow a three year Senior Cycle.

The Transition Year Programme was established in Bailieborough in 2011.  The programme is offered to students who completed an application form and were successful at interview. 

Our programme calendar focuses on four main areas:

  • Continuation of the core subjects
  • Subject sampling for the Leaving Certificate Programme
  • Transition year specific modules and subjects
  • Once off calendar events.

 

Within our school the core subjects of English, Irish and Maths are continued.                             

All pupils continue to study French/German for two class periods.

Pupils are given the opportunity to sample all the Science subjects on offer in the school for Leaving Certificate (Biology, Agricultural Science, Physics and Chemistry). 

Within our timetable we also provide Transition Year Modules.  The modules are History, Geography, Art, Music and Science.  Transition Year students also avail of Career Guidance and Work Experience.

Timetabling allows for Drama, Enterprise, Physical Education. Healthy Living, Life Saving, Kayaking, Life and Environmental Studies, Basketball, First Aid and European Computer Driver Licence.

A range of events may also be provided for our students:

  • Participation in the GAISCE awards (Bronze medal)
  • Outdoor pursuit programmes
  • Irish Wheelchair Association
  • Introduction to Samba Drums
  • Various Educational outings
  • Participation in Comhairle na N-og
  • Drive for Life Workshops
  • Work Experience (I day per week)
  • GAA Coaching
  • Drama/Dance Workshop
  • Irish Road Safety
  • Ger Carey show

 

Purpose of Transition Year

 

We believe that the inclusion of a fourth year in the secondary school cycle gives the student a more rounded education.

  • It offers them a chance to mature and develop socially, intellectually and emotionally.
  • It enables them to explore options, which would not otherwise be normally open to them.
  • It allows them to build a more solid foundation before proceeding to a Leaving Certificate programme.
  • It encourages them to become more self-directed learners through the development of general, technical and academic skills.

 

After completing Transition Year students should…..

  • Be more confident and secure.
  • Be more caring and sensitive to the needs of others.
  • Have taken responsibility for their own learning.
  • Be able to communicate more effectively.
  • Have considered their future subject and career options.
  • Nurtured talents and discovered new ones
  • Become more inquisitive about the world around them.
  • Have made some friends for life!

 

What about exams?

Assessment is a key part of any worthwhile learning programme. Transition Year is an opportunity to move beyond the narrow focus of the end of year, written exams.                The emphasis is on varied and on-going assessment with students themselves becoming involved in diagnosing their own strengths and weaknesses. Project work, portfolio work and exhibitions of students’ work are also encouraged.

Facts about Transition Year

  • Students who take TY secure on average 46 points more than those who do not.
  • A report from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment shows that those who take the transition year perform almost as well as those who repeat the Leaving – on average they are just five points behind.

Presentation

At the end of the year a presentation night is organised by the pupils.  Parents, teaching staff, visiting speakers and other people that got involved in our Transition Year Programme are invited to attend this night.  The pupils display some of their work and talk about the various activities they got involved in during the year along with performing snippets from their various modules and courses taken during the year.  Certificates are given to the pupils and photographs taken for the local paper.

Learn More

Subjects

Learn More