1. Loreto High School, Beaufort
NEW JUNIOR CERT
Loreto High School, Beaufort

2. WHY? New type of teaching and learning Move away from “ROTE LEARNING”
Greater emphasis on continuous assessment
Greater emphasis on student WELLBEING
Focus on student’s skills and preparation for life

3. Principles Learning to Learn Choice and Flexibility Quality
Creativity and Innovation
Engagement and Participation
Continuity and Development
Inclusive Education
Wellbeing

4. Key Skills Being Literate Being Numerate Being Creative
Managing Myself
Staying well
Managing Information and thinking
Communicating
Working with others

5. When? In the pipeline since 1997 Worked on by NCCA
Implemented incrementally since 2014/2015
2017 – English
2019 – Science, Business Studies
2020 – Irish, Art, Modern Languages
2021 – Maths, Home Economics, History, Music, Geography
2022 – Religion

6. What’s different? Students can sit a maximum of 10 subjects
Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs) in 2nd and 3rd year
Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement on subjects assessed, CBAs and a written report of learning (externally marked) and other school achievements

7. How do CBAs work? Apply to all subjects
Completed at end of 2nd year and beginning of 3rd year
2nd year – students, in groups, research a topic and complete a project
3rd year -  students, individually, complete a project
One of the CBAs must include a presentation
Teachers collectively mark the CBAs
Students submit a written report on the 3rd year CBA, with their exam, to the SEC for correction which will represent 10% of their final  Junior Cert mark

8. Gradings Descriptors Exceptional Classroom Based Assessments
Above Expectations
In Line with Expectations
Yet to Meet Expectations

9. WHAT SUBJECTS? Same subjects as we have currently on offer
CSPE is no longer an examination subject but is mandatory
Only Maths, English and Irish have Higher and Ordinary level exams
All other subjects have a common level exam
All exams of 2 hour duration

10. Wellbeing? Non exam subjects Important for student development
CSPE, PE, SPHE, Choir/Drama, Guidance
Other school activities eg. Retreats, Study skills, Pastoral Care, Speakers etc.
Initially will be 5 periods per week.

12. Changes in teaching and learning
Teachers will take a different approach
More student involvement in their learning
Increased engagement and participation
Assessment for Learning
Students correcting one another’s work
Comment only marking
More effective feedback
More groupwork/creative projects etc.

13. Certification? SEC reports on state examination elements
School produces a Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement for Classroom Based Assessments and other school activities
Other school activities include:
School leadership roles eg. Green Captain, Class Prefect
Representing school in sports, debating, choir etc

14. Gradings Subjects: Grade % Band Distinction 90 - 100 10 Higher Merit 15
Merit 20
Achieved
Partially Achieved
Not graded
0 - 19

15. English Grades 2017 Higher Level No. of Students Distinction
Higher Merit
Merit
Achieved
Partially Achieved
Not Graded
2017
48235
1.8%
20.2%
59.7%
15.9%
2.3%
0.1%
Ordinary Level
No. of Students
Distinction
Higher Merit
Merit
Achieved
Partially Achieved
Not Graded
2017
12755
2.9%
33.2%
46.8%
13.0%
3.7%
0.5%

16. Further Information

17. Questions

18. THANK YOU