THE TRANSITION YEAR PROGRAMME AN OVERVIEW Parents Information Session 2015

TRANSITION YEAR Transition Year is a one year school based programme between Junior and Senior Cycle. It is designed to act as a bridge between the two by facilitating the smooth transition from the more dependant learning of the Junior Cycle to the more independent self-directed learning required for the Senior Cycle

AIMS Education for MATURITY with emphasis on social awareness & increased social competence Education through experience of ADULT & WORKING LIFE as a basis for personal development & maturity Promotion of general, technical and academic SKILLS with an emphasis on interdisciplinary and self-directed learning

TRANSITION YEAR Why opt for Transition Year ?  Challenges facing our Young People  Changing attitudes to Education  Need for Skills based learning  Age profile of Irish students  Time to mature

CORE SUBJECT LAYER English Irish Maths European Language: French or German Religion Physical Education

SUBJECT SAMPLING LAYER Art, Craft, Design Home Economics SCIENCE- Physics, Chemistry, Biology Humanities Music

TRANSITION SPECIFIC LAYER Mini-Company Chinese Multi Media ECDL Spanish European Studies Drama Law Choir

Once off activities e.g. ` OUTDOOR PURSUITS DAY TRIPS: ART, DRAMA, SCIENCE ETC., YOUNG SCIENTIST/ Science Work Shops EUROPEAN STUDIES VISIT TO HOLLAND EUROPEAN YOUTH PARLIAMENT YOUNG ENVIRONMENTALISTS Work Experience Hospital Life Programmes Hair and Beauty Workshops Film Festival Photography

METHODOLOGIES Active & learner-focused Teacher as facilitator Collaborative learning encouraged Group work / Pair work Role-play /simulations Project work /Fieldwork Out-of-school activities Visiting speakers Negotiated learning Practical work

ASSESSMENT ‘Assessment should be an integral part of the learning process in Transition Year not separate from it’ (D.E.S.Guidelines) House Exams at Christmas and Summer in Core subjects Portfolio assessment Oral /Aural assessment Project work Self-assessment Peer-assessment Written /Practical Class test Skills assessment.

EVALUATION ENCOURAGED AS A REGULAR FEATURE External – INSPECTORATE / Dept. of Ed.& Science Internal – Tutors- Journal Checks SCHOOL – WHOLE STAFF- Continuums INDIVIDUAL SUBJECT TEACHER STUDENTS PARENTS WORK PROVIDERS

NCCA LONGITUDINAL STUDY TY STUDENTS DO BETTER BY AN AVERAGE OF 26 POINTS REPEAT STUDENTS ONLY GAIN BY AN AVERAGE OF 5 POINTS TY CANDIDATES MORE LIKELY TO BE ‘EDUCATIONALLY ADVENTUROUS’

Application Procedures 1 class of 24 students 2 classes of 24 students (Total of 48) Subject to D.E.S. and Board of management. Selection Procedure: TY Form Lottery Non-refundable deposit of €100 required Application forms to be returned by Friday the 8 th January, 2016

Cost of Transition Year Initial non-refundable deposit €100 March €100and May €100 Where the money goes: ECDL €125 Law € 15 Workshops- € 60 Buses: Varies. Visiting Speakers € Sports: € 30- Varies Subsidise other activities e.g. Swimming, outings etc. Cost of exchange visits are not included in these figures