Each school devises its own unique programme to meet the needs of it's students. The programme should offer students a broad and balanced curriculum based on the following four layers.
Core Subjects: are usually those subjects that all students take for the full year.
Subject Sampling: may involve giving students a taster module of the Leaving Certificate subjects available in the school to help them make informed choices when making their subject choices later. Subject sampling may also expose students to new subjects that they have not experienced before. Includes subjects and modules devised both within the school and by external agencies supportig the programme in schools.
Transition Year Specific Layer: TY Calendar Layer includes "once off" activites such as work experience, trips, musical production, etc.
Schools decide upon the subjects and modules in each of the four layers based on the needs of students, staff allocations and teachers expertise as well as parents expectations and local resourses and geographical location.
| Core subject layer may include | Subject sampling layer may include | TY specific layer may include | Calendar layer may include |
|
PE ICT Mathematics Gaeilge English RE Other |
Environmental Studies Spanish Drama Business Studies ICT Other |
Mental Health Matters Mini Company Photography Tourism awareness programme Psychology Log on Learn Young Social Innovators Other |
Work experience Outdoor pursuits Social outreach Field trips Visitng speakers Drama/Musical production Other |
Areas of Study - Ideas for Planners:
Customising the curriculum with Transition Units
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment includes Transition Year is included in the review of senior cycle currently underway. New school devised 45 hour courses, called transition units, are currently being developed by NCCA, in collaboration with teachers and agencies. Try out some sample transition units, or contact transitionunits@ncca.ie to register your interest in developing transition units.
To access sample NCCA Transition Year units, follow the links below: Click here to access NCCA transition Units page
