Transition Year is a one year programme taken after the completion of Junior Cycle and before the Leaving Certificate Programme. Transition Year is offered to all third year students who wish to follow a three year senior cycle programme.
Transition Year places a heavy emphasis on experiential learning . The emphasis is on developing skills rather than on simply remembering facts. Such skills stand to people for life.
The purpose of the Transition Year Programme is to promote maturity and personal growth and development. Students are encouraged to become self-directed learners through the development of general, technical and academic skills. Students are encouraged to develop work-related skills. Students are provided with opportunities to develop communication skills, self-confidence and a sense of responsibility. Socially, students develop their ‘people’ skills and more awareness of the world outside school.
What about exams?
Assessment is an integral part of any worthwhile learning programme and for that reason Transition Year students will sit Christmas and Summer house examinations with all other year groups. However, Transition Year is also an opportunity to move beyond the focus of end-of-year summative assessment. The emphasis is instead placed on varied and on-going assessment with students themselves becoming involved in diagnosing their own learning strengths and weaknesses. Project work, portfolio work and exhibitions of students’ work are also encouraged.
Facts about TY
On average 75% of students who have completed 3rd Year go on to do Transition Year
(Department of Education of Education Statistics 2021)
In St Brigid's the following subjects are offered in Transition Year;
English
Irish
Maths
Spanish
French
Business Studies/Accounting
Agricultural Science
Chemistry
Physics
Biology
Information Technology
Religious Education
Home Economics
Art
History
Geography
Transition Year offers students a broader variety of topics, subjects and life skills. Here is a taste of the current modules offered to Transition Year students:
Gaisce Bronze Award
First Aid
Law Programme
Career Guidance
Sign Language
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)
Public Speaking
Young Social Innovator (YSI)
Global Citizen Education
Green Schools
Young Entrepreneur Programme
Outdoor Activity Programme
Photography
Etiquette Training
Friends of the Elderly Programme
Driver Education/Road Safety/Car Maintenance
Beauty Therapy
Newby Chinese
Guest Speakers
Car maintenance
Law module