Second Level |
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Lower second level education (the Junior Cycle) consists of a three year programme for students aged 12 to 15-16 years. The principal objective of the junior cycle is for students to complete a broad, balanced and coherent curriculum composed of a variety of courses incorporating a core and optional areas of study. The Junior Certificate examination is taken at the end of the junior cycle. This is a national state examination comprising written examination papers and relevant oral/aural and practical tests. Subjects include Irish English Mathematics, History and Geography. Schools provide a variety of additional subjects such as modern languages, art, music, home economics, materials technology (wood), woodwork, metalwork and technical graphics. All junior cycle students follow a social, personal and health education programme.
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Upper secondary education (or the Senior Cycle) consists of an (optional) Transition Year followed by one of three versions of the two year Leaving Certificate programme.
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The Transition Year programme is offered following completion of the Junior Cycle. It is a year of active learning emphasising personal and interpersonal development and experiential learning opportunities. The Transition Year is optional and some students prefer to directly proceed to one of the Leaving Certificate programmes.
There are three options within the Leaving Certificate:
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2.2 |
The traditional Leaving Certificate programme is taken by the majority of students is the accepted basis for entry into third level education, Colleges of Further and Higher Education institutions. The programme is of two years duration and the curriculum can be selected from an extensive range of subjects including languages, arts, humanities, sciences and technology.
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2.3 |
The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP)is a more vocationally-oriented version of the traditional Leaving Certificate containing vocational and enterprise education emphases. As with the traditional Leaving Certificate it is fully accepted as a basis for entry to third level.
The LCVP is based on a combination of Leaving Certificate subjects and aims to provide students with an opportunity to engage in self-directed learning and to promote innovation and enterprise. These objectives are largely achieved through the requirement to follow two activity-driven modules known as Link Modules - Enterprise Education, Preparation for the World of Work. The Link Modules are designed to develop:
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- Communication skills, including ICT skills
- Research and report writing
- Teamworking, including interpersonal skills, listening skills, leadership and decision-making skills.
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Experiences such as work placement, career investigation, mini-enterprise and business visits are an integral part of the programme.
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2.4 |
The Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) programme is a separate and distinct and innovative programme designed for those who do not wish to take the direct route to third level education.
The LCA focuses on preparing students for the transition from school to adult and working life. Key principles underlying the LCA are activity-based learning and teaching and maximising the student's involvement with the local community. The programme differs from the traditional Leaving Certificate by being more practical, community based, work-oriented and task-centred. Continuous assessment is used as the basis of about two-thirds of the final examination result and those who successfully complete the programme are eligible for entry into a wide variety of Post-Leaving Certificate courses from which entry to third level may subsequently be gained if appropriate. The LCA dos not provide direct entry to third level.
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Adult & Further Education
Further Education embraces education and training occurs after second-level schooling but is not part of the third level system.
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The Youthreach Programme is run by VECs in Youthreach Centres. The programme introduced in 1989 provides two year's integrated education, training and work experience for young people in the 15 to 20 year age group who left school early without qualification or vocational training. The programme consist of two distinct phases:
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a Foundation Phase to help overcome learning difficulties, develop self-confidence and a range of competences essential for further learning; and |
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a Progression Phase which provides more specific development through a range of education, training and work experience options.
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The Back to Education Initiative (BTEI) provides part-time Further Education programmes for young people and adults enabling them to combine a return to learning with family, work and other responsibilities.
The principle underpinning these alternative programmes is to make them different from the formal structure within the school system and group size are kept deliberately small.
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Post-Leaving Certificate Courses (PLC)
PLC courses provide a bridge between school and work for those who need vocational training to enhance their chance of gaining employment. Programmes are of 1 and 2 year duration and lead to certification at Levels 2 and 3 from FETAC. The programmes are an important re-entry route to learning for adults as well as school leavers. The programme offer courses in a wide-range of disciplines including Business, Electronic Engineering, Computing, Catering, Sport and Leisure, Performance Act, Art Craft and Design, Multi-media studies, Tourism, Marketing, Childcare and Community Care, Hairdressing and Beauty Care, Horticulture, Applied Science etc.
These courses offer an alterative to programmes on offer in higher education in subject matter and approach. Certain PLCs are accepted as bridges into higher education. The courses include: |
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- technical knowledge - the development of the vocational skills needed for the particular discipline.
- personal development - the fostering of interpersonal skills, computer familiarisation, mathematical and literacy skills together with a positive attitude to learning, adaptability and initiative; and
- work experience - exposing the trainee to work experience which give relevance to the skills learned and an appreciation of an adult's role in working life.
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Most PLCs lead to an award from FETAC. The main focus of the courses is to prepare people for employment. It is also possible to proceed from PLC to third-level education. Students do not pay fees to attend PLC courses and grants are available for students on PLC courses. The conditions and rates for grants are the same as those for third-level courses.
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Senior Traveller Training Programme
The Senior Traveller Training Centre (STTC) programme provides basic compensatory education to Travellers over the age of 18. The aim of the centre is to provide Travellers with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to successfully make the transition to work and adult life. The target group are people who have left school with either minimal or no qualifications.
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Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme
The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) is a second chance education and training programme which provides courses up to two years duration for unemployed people over the age of 21 years. Course are provided free of charge, meal and travel allowances are available. Courses are full-time, up to two years and attendance is 30 hours per week. Trainees on VTOS can pursue subjects in Junior or Leaving Certificate programmes or modules or awards certified by FETAC at Foundation Levels 3, 4 and 5.
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Adult Literacy / Basic Education
Adult Literacy Organisers employed by VECs provide group and one-to-one tuition in local areas countrywide. The programme offers a broad range of opportunities for adults who have less than upper second level education or adults who wish to improve their basis skills.
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Self-Financing Adult Education
The Self-Financing Adult Education programme is designed to provide a range of adult learning opportunities in response to demand. Classes are offered on a self-financing basis with fees collected to cover tuition and general overheads. Classes are provided in a range of subject areas such as hobby and leisure courses, professional courses of an academic and practical nature and persona and social development including second change courses.
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Other Services
Adult Learner Guidance Service focus on the needs of adults who have been most disadvantaged by the formal education system. The service is available to learners on VTOS and Adult Basic Educations programmes.
Youth Services provide planned programmes of education designed for the purpose of aiding and enhancing the personal and social development of young persons through their voluntary participation. These programmes are complementary to formal, academic or vocational education and training.
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