1. Second Level Education in Ireland A Brief Overview

2. Types of Second Level Schools The Irish second-level education sector comprises: Secondary Vocational Community Comprehensive schools.

3. Secondary schools Secondary schools are privately owned and managed. The trustees of the majority of these schools are: –Religious communities or –Boards of Governors.

4. Vocational Schools Community School Comprehensive Schools Vocational schools are administered by Vocational Education Committees Community and Comprehensive schools are managed by Boards of Management of differing compositions.

5. Second-level education aims to provide a comprehensive, high-quality learning environment To enable all students to live full lives, appropriate to their stage of development To realise their potential as individuals and as citizens. To prepare students for adult life and to help them proceed to further education or directly to employment.

6. Second-level education Consists of : A three-year junior cycle (ages 13 to 15) followed by a two or three-year senior cycle (ages 15 to 18)

7. The Junior Certificate examination Is taken after three years (age 15) The Junior Cycle covers a vital period in young people’s lives when they encounter significant changes in their educational experience.

8. Principal objectives of the Junior Cycle To complete broad, balanced and coherent courses of study in a variety of curricular areas relevant to their own personal development. To allow students to achieve a level of competence in these which will enable them to proceed to senior cycle education.

9. Transition Year is an option which provides an opportunity for students to experience a wide range of educational inputs and work experience at a remove from the examination focus.

10. Senior Cycle (age 15 to 18) The Leaving Certificate examination is held at the end of the Senior Cycle in post-primary schools. It is the terminal examination of post- primary education.

11. Leaving Certificate Examination Students normally sit for the examination at the age of 17 or 18, after 5 or 6 years of post primary education. Pupils following the established Leaving Certificate Programme must: –take at least five subjects, including Irish.