Transition Year
The school operates a Transition Year programme for students who have completed their Junior Cycle education and is before the two year Leaving Certificate programme.This one-year educational programme offers the potential for the holistic development of young people as flexible learners, active citizens and future workers. It places an emphasis on personal development, social awareness and increased social competence.
General Information On Transition Year:
- It is designed to act as a bridge between the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate programmes.
- It is available to all second-level schools and currently some 550 schools offer the programme.
- Transition Year may be optional or mandatory for students depending on the school’s policy.
- Each school designs its own Transition Year programme, within set guidelines, to suit the needs and interests of its students.
- In establishing its own distinctive programme content, the school takes into account the possibilities offered by local community interests.
Examination
There is no state examination at the end of Transition Year. Assessment is usually carried out on an ongoing basis and can include school-based assessment of projects or portfolios, oral, aural, practical and written activities.
Evaluation of activities such as work experience or community service will often involve the providers or hosts of such activities.
Some modules may have their own assessment arrangements.
Transition Year Units
New courses, called transition units, are currently being developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), in collaboration with teachers and agencies.
Overall Aim of Transition Year
To promote the personal, social, educational and vocational development of students and to prepare them for their role as autonomous, participative, and responsible members of society, through
- Providing education for maturity with emphasis on social awareness and increasing social competence, without the pressure of State Exams
- Promotion of general, technical and academic skills, with emphasis on interdisciplinary and self-directed learning.
- Providing education through experience for adult and working life as a basis for personal development, and an opportunity to explore possible career choices for the future
- To build confidence and self esteem
- To develop socially, personally, physically and academically through involvement in a broad range of activities
- To become involved in subjects and activities that they may not otherwise encounter
- To provide a solid foundation for the Leaving Certificate
- To acquire skills in the use of ICT
Relationship to School's Mission/Vision/Aim
In keeping with the Religious and Educational Philosophy of Ursuline Schools, and the school’s Mission Statement, Transition Year provides a learning experience that promotes the intellectual, moral, spiritual and social development of the students. It gives an opportunity to students of varying abilities to work together on shared tasks.
Programme Content
The programme content is a balance between the academic and non-academic. The subjects studied includes Irish, English Maths, French, Biology, Chemistry, Art, Religion, History, Geography, Music, PE, Accounting, Home Economics, Computer Studies, Chinese, Enterprise, Art Craft/Music, Public Speaking, Career Guidance.
Transition Year Activities
- Mini Company
- Work Experience Placements
- Volunteering
- School tour
- Day Trips – Film, Play
- Field Trips – History/Geography
- Kinsale Outdoor Pursuits Day
- Pitch and Putt
- Ice skating
- GYM morning
- Guest Speakers
- Road Safety Awareness presentation
- UCC Business Information Systems – Week
- UCC Easter School Week
- UCC Open Day
- CIT Technology Week
- Meitheal training
- CIT to attend Graffitti drama workshop
- Public Speaking Competitions
- Intergenerational Table Quiz
The Transition Year programme is a dynamic one and is therefore being evaluated and reviewed on an annual basis.
Work Experience
In Transition Year the learning environment is linked up with the world to the world of work. Our work experience programme provides an education for working life and provides them with opportunities to develop social and life skills.
Students source their own placements for Wednesdays. Module 1 is from September to December and Module 2 is from January to May.Ideally a different placement should be sought for each module.
Placements usually include hospital departments,bakeries, primary schools. pharmaceutical factories,shops, preschools,hairdressing, office work, third-level institutions,etc
Prior to starting placement students are given a work placement induction.An evaluation is done at the end of each module.
How can I get the best out of my TY experience?
To get the best out of the Transition Year experience the students are encouraged to participate as fully as possible
How can plan I for TY Work experience?
The students are encouraged to find work experience in fields of work that they feel they would be interested in and therefore would get the most benefit from.
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