SENIOR CYCLE PROGRAMME:

In approaching the Senior Cycle Programme Third year students must consider 3 main options.

To take a Transition Year Programme followed by the regular two-year Leaving Certificate. Any Third Year student may apply for this, but it is particularly recommended for those who are a little younger than the norm, i.e. under 15 years of age on the 1st of January this year (or 17 years or younger sitting the Leaving Certificate).

To take the Leaving Certificate Programme. Students should keep further studies at 3rd level in mind when selecting their subjects for Leaving Certificate.

To take the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme. The Leaving Certificate Applied is a distinct, self-contained two-year programme aimed at preparing students for adult and working life. This programme is designed to cater for the needs of students for whom the ordinary Leaving Certificate courses are not appropriate.

Details of all these options are attached.

Please note that the school management reserves the right to modify student lists for each of the above programmes.

TRANSITION YEAR PROGRAMME:

Transition Year is a one year programme. It provides a bridge to enable students make the transition from Junior to Senior cycle. It encourages personal and social development and recognises the need for students to grow in independence. Transition Year fosters academic achievement as students prepare for a Leaving Certificate Programme, further study and adult and working life. It encourages the development of critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills.

Full details of the programme on offer at St. Nathy’s College are comprehensively outlined in the school’s Transition Year Programme prospectus which may be viewed online at (prospectus)

Other Activities
Dance and Choreography First Aid Aerobics Coaching Course Swimming	Hill Walking School Show Mini Company An Gaisce Award Day Trips

Teaching and Learning:

The Transition Year Programme at St. Nathy’s College will use a wide range of teaching and learning methodologies and situations such as:

Homework: Homework will consist of research, project work, preparation of presentations and exhibitions as well as written work.

Assessment: Students will be assessed four times during the year - at Halloween, Christmas, Easter and Summer. Assessment modes will vary from subject to subject but in general, the following assessment modes will be used:

School Reports:

Formal school reports will be issued at Christmas, Easter and Summer. Assessment at Christmas will be reviewed in early January with parents and students at a Parent-Teacher-Student meeting. Assessment at Summer will involve an exhibition of the student’s work.

Evaluation:

St. Nathy’s College will regularly review and evaluate its Transition Year Programme. This will be done in consultation with all parties. Through review and evaluation we will allow the Transition Year Programme to constantly evolve to meet the requirements of parents, students and teachers.

Review and evaluation will involve the use of the following forms:

	Evaluation of Transition Year Programme -  by parent
	Evaluation of Transition Year - by student
	Evaluation of student work experience by employer
	Subject/Module evaluation by student
	Teacher self-evaluation

Certification - The Department of Education and Science awards a certificate of participation to all who complete a Transition Year Programme.

The school will also certify the students’ participation, enthusiasm, commitment and progress throughout the year. There will be opportunites to receive external certification during Transition Year in some subject / modules, eg. First Aid, ECDL, President’s Award, etc.

At the end of the school year student efforts will be recognised by holding an exhibition of student work and by awards given at a Prize Ceremony.

Work Experience - Each student completes three weeks of work experience during the school year. Students are expected to find these placements themselves and the placements will need to be approved by the school. The student and parent(s) will need to complete a ‘Work Experience’ form and return this form to the TY Coordinator.

Community Work - It is expected that all students will participate in some form of voluntary work in the community during the year. This would be in addition to any voluntary community work completed as part of ‘The President’s Award’. Students are expected to arrange this work themselves.

The LEAVING CERIFICATE VOCATIONAL PROGRAMME (LCVP) is a senior cycle programme designed to give a strong vocational dimension to the Leaving Certificate. The aim of the LCVP is to prepare students for adult life by ensuring that they are educated in the widest sense possible. It will help them to develop the ability to cope and thrive in a work environment of rapid change. The programme gears students towards self-directed learning, being innovative and enterprising and acquiring attitudes and skills appropriate to the world of work.

LCVP students follow the Leaving Certificate curriculum as usual; in addition two Link Modules are completed. The eligibility to do the LCVP is determined by the requirements below:

Requirements of LCVP:

• You must take a minimum of five Leaving Certificate subjects, including Irish (unless exempt)
• TWO of the Leaving Cert subjects must from the designated Vocational Subject Groupings (VSGs) —See below
• You must have adequate knowledge of a recognised Modern European Language
• You must study two Link Modules- Preparation for the World of Work and Enterprise Education.

Vocational Subject Groupings:

The following VSGs are the combinations of subjects which would make
students eligible to do the LCVP (in addition to the other requirements already outlined)

1. Construction Studies/Engineering/Design & Communication Graphics (any two)
2. Physics and Construction Studies/Engineering
3. Home Economics /Biology/Agricultural Science (any two)
4. Home Economics and Art
5. Accounting/Business/Economics (any two)
6. Physics and Chemistry
7. Biology and Chemistry /Physics / Physics & Chemistry (combined)
8. Agricultural Science and Construction Studies/Engineering
9. Agricultural Science and Chemistry / Physics
10. Agricultural Science and Business /Accounting / Economics
11. Engineering and Business / Accounting / Economics
12. Construction Studies and Business /Accounting /Economics
13. Home Economics and Business /Accounting /Economics
14. Art and Business /Accounting /Economics
15. Music and Business /Accounting /Economics

Link Modules

Activities & Skills you will develop in the LCVP

Assessment & Certification of the LCVP

For the LCVP Link modules students produce a Portfolio of Coursework over the two years (60%) and complete an Exam (40%). In addition to their other Leaving Certificate results, students will receive an additional statement of results for the LCVP. The grades are as follows:

The Leaving Certificate Applied Programme is a distinct, self contained two-year programme aimed at preparing students for adult and working life. The programme puts an emphasis on forms of achievement and excellence, which the established Leaving Certificate has not recongised in the past.

The Leaving Certificate Applied is intended to meet the needs of those students who are not adequately catered for by other Leaving Certificate Programmes or who choose not to opt for such programmes.

Curriculum/Subjects:

Teaching and Learning:

Leaving Certificate Applied uses a wide range of student centred methodologies and a broad range of educational experiences. These include:

Assignments Visiting speakers Social and cultural trips Team work

Interviews Oral, practical and aural assessment Logbook and diaries

Homework - This consists of assignment work, research, task work, interview preparation, work sheets, exam questions, revision and study.

Assessment and Certification - Certificates are awarded by the Department of Education and Science at three levels.

There is continuous assessment over the two years in the form of key assignments, tasks, interviews and completion of modules. There are practical, oral and written exams at the end of the final year.

Progression:-

Students, who study the Leaving Certificate Applied course, have access to a variety of Post Leaving Certificate courses, most of which are certified by FETAC. These FETAC awards, usually Level 5, provide direct progression routes to Third Level programmes of study at all the Institutes of Technology and a select number of degree programmes of study at the Universities. For the latest information and an overview of the Irish qualification system, visit the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland at www.nqai.ie; and visit www.fetac.ie

Students, upon completion of their Leaving Certificate Applied programme, are eligible to apply for training courses at Failte Ireland, TEAGASC, BIM, Garda Siochana, the Army – Permanent Defence Forces, Childcare, FAS apprenticeships etc.

Work Experience:-

Work experience is organised on a one day per week basis. Each student completes at least eight weeks work experience over the two year programme.

Note:- Leaving Certificate Applied programme is not a suitable option for those students who wish to transfer directly to Third Level education. Please consult the Guidance Counsellor or visit www.qualifax.ie for specific entry requirements for courses at Third Level.

This is the most widely taken programme in which students must take at least five subjects, including Irish (with the exception of those with a previous exemption). Those intending to pursue Third Level Education normally take this examination and access to third-level courses depends on results obtained.

The Leaving Certificate subjects offered are:

1. Core Subjects - these subjects are taken by all students

English
Irish
Mathematics

2. Option Subjects – each student takes four option subjects

Accounting Agricultural Science Art Biology Business Chemistry Construction Studies Design and Communication Graphics

Engineering French Geography History Home Economics Music Physics Physics and Chemistry

3. Other Subjects – each student also takes the following subjects

Career Guidance
Computer Studies
Religion

Those students proceeding to Leaving Certificate are required to indicate their subject preferences on the attached form.

Please note:

• Higher and Ordinary levels will be provided in all subjects.

• All subjects selected must normally have been taken at Junior Certificate level. Exceptions may be made to this ruling with the approval of the school authorities.

• Students aspiring to take Higher level in any subject should normally be expected to achieve at least a Grade C at Higher level in the Junior Certificate Examinations in that subject.

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