What is the purpose of the Transition Year Programme?

To encourage greater maturity in a wide range of areas.  To  promote improved technical and academic skills. To promote greater maturity in relation to work and careers by developing work-related skills. To provide opportunities to develop communication skills, self-confidence and a sense of responsibility. To develop greater ‘Social’ skills and more awareness of the world outside school.  In short to help mould more mature, self confident, well rounded individuals.

Who decides on the Transition Year Programme?

Each school devises its own TY programme. The teaching staff draws up a programme in the light of the Transition Year Guidelines and the Resource Material published by the Department of Education and Science. They also consider students’ needs, parents’ views, employers and the wider interests of the local community. Each year the programme is evaluated, with inputs from all these parties, and revised by the teaching staff.

What subjects are studied?

This varies from school to school but in every school students follow a timetable as they do in other years. Our programme attempts to achieve a balance between continuation of essential core subjects, (Irish, English, Maths) ,a tasting and sampling of other subjects (Woodwork, Art, French)  a variety of distinctive courses designed to broaden students’ horizons (ECDL, Music, Religion) and some modules and activities specifically aimed at promoting the maturity that is central to the whole Transition Year ideal. (Personal Development, Debating).

Some features common to the programmes.

Many schools offer modules, short courses on particular topics. Most schools offer a work experience programme. The Mini-company, where students set up and operate a real business, is a popular way of learning. The use of visiting speakers as well as trips beyond the classroom are features of many programme. Project work, where students undertake independent research, usually more extensive than traditional ‘homework’, is also common to many programmes.

What about exams?

Assessment is a key part of any worthwhile learning programme. Transition Year is an opportunity to move beyond the narrow focus of end-of-year, written exams. The emphasis is on varied and on-going assessment. Project work, portfolio work and exhibitions of students’ work are also encouraged. Each individual school makes its own arrangements for reporting to parents and for the certification of students who complete the TY programme.

Is Transition Year available to all students?

Currently over 27,000 young people are following a Transition Year programme in approx. 540 schools. Some schools offer the TYP to all students who have finished the Junior Certificate. In other schools students may have to apply for a limited number of places and a selection procedure is used to identify the most suitable students.  In this school only one TY class of 24 is the norm.*

Is Transition Year suited to all students?

With its emphasis on promoting development and maturity, all young people can benefit from the programme. Transition Year, in particular, can allow for the development of an individual’s multiple intelligences, linguistic, mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal and naturalist. The Transition Year programme can also develop key skills for the 21st century such as the three Ts thinking, teamwork and technology.  However not all students are suited to the TY programme.  In light of the limited places available only those deemed suitable will be considered.

In a school where TY is optional might the student miss his/her friends who continue through to fifth year?

It is true that if none of the friends opt for TY, the student will be separated from them to a degree. However unless his friends opt for the exact same Leaving Certificate subjects he will become separated from them anyway. It is unwise to make important decisions about your education based on what your friends want or dont want to do.  Far from losing contact with friends the new relationships that develop during the Transition Year tend to be solid and long-lasting.

Will students find it difficult to get back to work in 5th and 6th year?

It has been our experience that the majority of students who do Transition Year return to 5th year with a stronger focus and a greater determination to do justice to themselves in the Leaving Certificate.  Statistically it has been shown that those students who do Transition Year achieve an average 40-50 points extra in the Leaving Certificate than those who do not.
The fee for  the Transition Year programme is €250 which covers the vast majority of trips, materials and activities.  There is an additional cost of an International trip, usually in February.  In my experience a reasonable estimate of the total cost,  including the International trip and ECDL (Computer Qualification) would be in the region of €950 to €1000.
In addition to this information sheet I will be going around speaking to the 3rd year classes immediately after the February mid-term break.  If you are interested in applying for Transition Year please provide your details in the space provided and an application form will be sent out to you.  The absolute deadline for return of this form and payment of a €50 deposit is March 12th.

*If there is over-subscription interviews will take place and a lottery system will be used if deemed necessary.

Aidan Jordan