Junior Cycle Programme

Senior Cycle Programme

Leaving Certificate Established

Leaving Certificate Applied Programme - LCAP

Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme - LCVP

Transition Year Programme

Special Needs

Junior Cycle Programme

· Junior Cycle Core Subjects: * Gaeilge * English * Mathematics * History * Geography * Science * Modern Languages - French- German - Spanish * CSPE (Civic, Social and Political Education) SPHE (Social, Personal and Health Education) * Religious Studies Physical Education(a) Subjects marked above with an * are examination subjects.(b)Two additional subjects to be chosen from the list on the right hand side. · Junior Cycle Option Subjects - (choice of two)Modern Language* - French- German- Spanish Business Studies ArtTechnical GraphicsTechnologyMaterials Technology (Wood)Materials Technology (Metal)MusicHome Economics * A second Modern Language may be taken as an option. However this will only be offered if a sufficient number of students participate.

· All subjects are available at the appropriate level; Higher and Ordinary level.
· Foundation Level is available to students in Gaeilge and Maths and English.
· CSPE is offered at a common level only.

Class Size & Levels

The maximum class size will not exceed 30 pupils in academic subjects. In practical classes, the maximum number will not exceed 24 pupils. However the maximum number of students for Home Economics is 20 (twenty).
All subjects are available at the appropriate level: Higher and Ordinary. Foundation Level is available to students in Gaeilge and Maths.

Senior Cycle Programme

Leaving Certificate Established

The Leaving Certificate (Established) allows student to sit seven subjects for examination.

- Three Core Subjects: Gaeilge, Maths & English
- One Modern Language
- Option Subjects (Students choose Two of the following)

All subjects are taken at either Higher or Ordinary Level.

In Third Year the following process allows students and parents to make informed choices about Senior Cycle:

- Information Evening in September-October on Study skills and Course Choices available at Senior Cycle.

- DATs (Aptitude Testing) in December - January.

- Information Evening on Transition Year and other Senior Cycle Options and Subjects- January

- Interviews for Transition Year Programme - February.

- Students are informed of their Options/Programme in - April

- A comprehensive booklet entitled "Choosing the Right Option at Senior Cycle" is made available to all Third Year students and parents in Spring of Third year.

Subject to sufficient demand and resources, Management reserves the right to determine on an annual basis the range and level of subjects.

Senior Cycle Programme

Leaving Certificate Applied Programme - LCAP

The Leaving Certificate Applied is a distinct, self-containing two-year Leaving Certificate Programme aimed at preparing students for adult and working life. The Leaving Certificate Applied is best suited for the students who are not adequately catered for by other Leaving Certificate programmes and who have not found traditional forms of assessment to be suited to their styles of learning. The programme emphasise forms of achievement and excellence, which the established Leaving Certificate has not recognised in the past. The programme is structured around three elements: Vocational Preparation, Vocational Education and General Education.

The Programme here in Castleknock Community College offers our students specific opportunity to prepare for the world of work and to progress to further education and training. The rationale behind The Leaving Certificate Applied is that the talents of all students are recognised-the programme is responsive to the aptitudes, abilities, needs and interests of the students. The programme also promotes communication and decision making skills and affords the students the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills to the solution of real problems. Consequently, the students as a result of their involvement in the Leaving Certificate Applied are given the opportunity to develop in terms of responsibility and self-esteem.

Key underlying Principles:
Subject integration across the curriculum
Teamwork
Basic Skills
Active teaching & Learning Methodologies
Reflecitn
Links with the Community.

Course Content
The Leaving Certificate Applied Programme is a two-year Certificate programme consisting of a range of courses, structured on
a modular basis for which credits are awarded. A module is of thirty hours duration. To facilitate the structure of the modules the programme is broken down into four sessions. One module is usually completed within a session in each course area.

Examination & Assessment
A range of Key Assignments and Student Tasks are completed within the two years of Senior Cycle. The Terminal Examination requires students to take seven Leaving certificate Examinations in the following areas:
- English & Communication
- Mathematical Applications
- Social Education
- Languages (2)
- Vocational Specialisms (2)

Senior Cycle Programme

Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme - LCVP

This programme was introduced to the Senior Cycle Curriculum in 1989 in response to an identified need fir an enhancement if curriculum provision. Following a review of the Senior Cycle curriculum the LCVP was modified and expanded in 1994. The revised Programme enabled the participation of a large number of students wit ha wide range of aptitude and ability than the original LCVP permitted.

LCVP Rationale:
The LCVP subscribes to an educational approach, which emphasises active learning, cross-curricular and interdisciplinary activities, and the acquisition of core skills with the ultimate aim of developing autonomous, adaptable, and lifelong learners. The Programme aims to develop key vocational skills, which enable students:

To be innovative and enterprising
To communicate their thoughts and ideas effectively
To take greater responsibility for their own learning
To learn from their experiences
To work as members of a team or group
To solve problems and make decisions
To adapt and cope with changing circumstances

LCVP Structure & Content:
Each student must take as the core elements of the LCVP

Two Leaving Certificate subjects from one of the two sets of Vocational Subjects Groupings: (e.g. Business Studies & Home Economics)
A course in a modern European Language: (French, German, Spanish).
Three link Modules
Irish at Leaving Certificate
Students must take at least five Leaving certificate subjects.

The Two Mandatory Link Modules are:

v Preparation for the World of Work
v Enterprise Education

The purpose of the two links modules is to fostered in young people a spirit of enterprise, adaptability and initiative and to develop communication, interpersonal vocational and technological skills and an experience of the world of work

Activities & Skills
Students are afforded to following experiences

Involvement in Enterprise activities
Working in teams on projects
Engagement in interdisciplinary projects, which facilitate learning across the curriculum
Organising visits of people from the world of business, industry and community services to the school and study visits to places of work
Participation in work placement, work shadowing or work simulation.
Access to, and use of, information technology and audio-visual resources.

Assessment & Certification
The Leaving Certificate Examination is a range of skill areas within the Link Modules by the national Council for Vocational Awards (NCVA) through two modes - a written examination and a portfolio of coursework.

Senior Cycle Programme

Transition Year Programme

"To promote the personal, social, educational and vocational development of the students, and to prepare them for their role as autonomous, participative and responsible members of society"

The Transition Year Programme is available at present on a non-compulsory basis. This is a one-year programme, which comes immediately after completion of the Junior Certificate.
This programme includes modules in:
- Computer Studies
- Project work
- Mini Company
- Community Service
- Work Experience
- "Gaisce" Award Scheme,
- Further study of the subjects, which the student will take at Leaving Certificate level.

The Benefits of the Transition Year Programme
- Discover more about their personal strengths
- Develop maturity and self-confidence
- Improve self-esteem
- Build interpersonal and team skills
- Make wiser subject choices for Leaving Certificate and Further Education.
- Extend the learning experience beyond the classroom
- Develop entrepreneurial skills
- Explore the working world
- Extend the repertoire of learning styles.

This programme is limited to 48 (Forty-eight) students.

Prospective students are interviewed in the Spring of Third Year.

"There is growing evidence that students who have taken the Transition Year Programme are most-self-reliant learners when they enter third level education than their peers."
Commission on the Points System, Final Report & Recommendations, 1999, p46.