Junior Cycle

All students will be arranged in classes of mixed ability in 1^st Year and thereafter banded. All students get the possibility to study each subject at higher level where relevant (all subjects are taken at Common Level apart from English, Irish and Maths where they can be taken at Ordinary or Higher level).

The decision to take applicable state exams in Third Year at Ordinary level is based on:

Teacher’s assessment
Consultations with students

All first year students study Music and Art. In second year, students can decide to take either or both as they become Option subjects in Second Year.

The subject specifications for each subject is prescribed by the Department of Education and Skills (www.curriculumonline.ie)

Methods of Assessment

Continuous assessment in each subject throughout the year
Christmas and Summer house examinations followed by school reports
Classroom Based Assessments in Second and Third Year and Assessment Tasks
Junior Certificate Examination at end of Third Year (Pre-Junior Certificate exams usually in February)
Oral, projects & practical examinations in relevant subjects

Other Areas of Learning at Junior Cycle

Students are encouraged to access Other Areas of Learning through, for example, involvement in extra-curricular activities.

Students engage in up to 400 hours of Wellbeing activities over the three years of Junior Cycle.

Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement

At the conclusion of their three years of learning at Junior Cycle, each student receives a Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) that includes their final exam results and CBA Grade Descriptors for all subjects and short courses as well as details of their Other Areas of Learning

Book Scheme

From September 2024, 1st Years – 3rd Years will avail of the Junior Cycle Schoolbooks Scheme. The ISK will provide schoolbooks and core classroom resources to all Junior Cycle students. ‘Schoolbooks’ include all relevant textbooks, novels, plays, exam papers. Core classroom materials include 12 copies, an A4 folder, school journal, maths formulae and tables/log book, calculator.

Parents/Guardians of students commencing 2nd and 3rd year will have already received/purchased a significant amount of school books and classroom resources required for Junior Cycle. Any additional schoolbooks and classroom resources required by the students in 2nd and 3rd year will be covered under the book scheme.

All schoolbooks under this scheme will remain the property of the school so that they can be used in future years. All schoolbooks will be provided on loan to students for the duration of the Junior Cycle and must be returned to the school at the end of the 3 years of Junior cycle.

It is imperative that students take good care of their schoolbooks and keep them in good condition during the period that they are in their possession. Students are required to cover their books. It is not permitted to write on schoolbooks.

There may be some additional classroom resources that are not covered by the scheme. Further details of what items parents/guardians will need to supply for the return to school in September/ pay a fee to the school for will be itemised and communicated by letter to parents/guardians prior to students return in September.

FIRST YEAR SUBJECTS