Junior certificate
Junior Cycle School Subjects
Students normally study seven subjects for examination. They must also attend classes in Career Guidance and Religious Formation and take part in activities designed to help them develop as cultured young people.
The English course aims to develop:
The ability to critically analyse information, as preparation for the responsibilities and challenges of adult life
A respect and appreciation for language used accurately and appropriately, and a competence in a wide range of oral and written language skills;
An awareness of the value of literature for widening horizons, for enhancing their sense of cultural identity, and for personal enjoyment.
Maths is one of the core subjects which is compulsory in every school. Project Maths, the current leaving cert curriculum, provides students with the opportunity to gain an understanding of and familiarity with several branches of mathematics, as well as developing their overall appreciation of the subject. The branches, or ‘strands’ in question have been chosen because they have applications in everyday life, are useful in other disciplines, and provide a foundation for further education. As a result, maths is very accessible to students at all levels.
Leaving Certificate Irish builds upon the language developed during Junior Cycle. All four language skills are further developed in order to enable the learner take an active part in the bilingual society in which we live in today in Ireland. The learner is encouraged to develop and share her/his views on a range of topics. The learner is also prepared during Senior Cycle for further study in or through Irish.
Spanish
In the post-primary junior cycle, the study of science contributes to a broad and balanced educational experience for students, extending their experiences at primary level. It is concerned with the development of scientific literacy and associated science process skills, together with an appreciation of the impact that science has on our lives and environment. In an era of rapid scientific and technological change the study of science is fundamental to the development of the confidence required to deal with the opportunities and challenges that such change presents in a wide variety of personal and social contexts.
Arising out of their experience in the junior cycle, it is hoped that many students will be encouraged to study one or more of the science subjects in the senior cycle, thus preparing themselves for further study or work in this area
Leaving Certificate business creates an awareness of the importance of business activity and develops a positive and ethical attitude towards enterprise. The learning experiences in business develop students’ critical thinking, creative and organisational skills while enhancing literacy and numeracy skills using real-life examples. Business provides students with a learning foundation for a wide range of careers in business, marketing, law, enterprise and management.
OH MY GOSH! YOU FOUND IT!!!
Geography is the study of people, their environment, and the interaction between the two. The course follows from Junior Cert Geography, and covers very similar topics (such as rocks, soils, oceans, population movements, map-reading, and economic activities) in a lot more detail. There are a large number of optional sections on the course, allowing students to focus on the sections of the course which they like.
The Home Economics syllabus (social and scientific) provides students with knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes necessary for managing their own lives, for further and higher education and work. The learning experiences in home economics develop flexibility and adaptability in students, prepare them for a consumer-oriented society and provide a learning foundation for a wide range of careers in food, textiles, science, design, social studies and tourism.
