CURRICULUM

Academic Standards and the Curriculum
The school aims to help all pupils achieve their fullest potential in academic and extra-curricular fields at each stage of their development. In our teaching we aim to help, stimulate, challenge each student, and this aim is supported by careful monitoring and regular reporting.

The curriculum provided is balanced, broad and diverse. Scholarship and academic depth are its central features.

A high priority is placed on communication with parents. There is a programme of regular reporting and staff are available to meet with parents on request. There is also a parent-teacher meeting for each year group each year.

The broad academic foundation provided by the school is reflected in the wide diversity of courses and universities chosen by students. Competent careers and higher education advice is provided in the school.

All Transition Year students have the opportunity to engage in work experience. The school liaises with industry, commerce and other organisations in order to identify suitable placements for each student.

State Curricula
The Irish Department of Education and Science Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate curricula are followed.

All students sit the Junior Certificate at the end of 3rd Year.

Transition Year is compulsory in 4th Year.

All students sit the Leaving Certificate at the end of 6th Year.

The average class size is eighteen. Many classes in the Senior Cycle are considerably smaller than the average size.

Our examination results are excellent across a wide ability range. We have a retention rate of which we are justifiably proud. Over the years, the overwhelming majority of our students have progressed to study at university. Virtually every student who seeks to pursue third level studies has been able to do so.

Junior Cycle: Years 1-3
Compulsory subjects: Gaeilge*, English, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Civic Social & Political Education (CSPE), Social Personal & Health Education (SPHE), Religious Education, ICT**

* Some students may be entitled to an exemption from Gaeilge
** ICT is offered in 1 st and 2 nd Year only

All classes are of mixed ability during 1st and 2nd Year. Some streaming is introduced in 3rd Year.

Optional Subjects:
All students study Latin and Music during the Christmas Term of 1 st Year. After Christmas of 1 st Year students opt for either Latin or Music.

Art is offered in the evening time throughout the school. All students in 1 st Year are encouraged to sample Art.

All students study French, German and Business Studies for all of 1 st Year. At Easter of 1 st Year they choose two of these subjects.

Subject choices made during 1 st Year apply until the end of Transition Year.

Transition Year: Year 4
As well as offering the traditional subjects much of the year is devoted to a range of other modules. Examples are: First Aid, ECDL, Social Awareness and Work Experience. The third term in Transition Year is spent abroad on a Foreign Exchange Each in France or Germany, improving language skills and learning the richness of another culture.

During Transition Year students will have the opportunity to sample Leaving Certificate subjects with which they might be unfamiliar. Students choose the subjects they are going to take for the Leaving Certificate during Transition Year.

Senior Cycle: Years 5-6
The Leaving Certificate (Established) curriculum is offered at the school.

Subjects offered: Applied Mathematics, Art, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Classical Studies, English, French, Gaeilge, Geography, German, History, Latin, Mathematics, Music, Physics, and Religious Education.

Subject combinations for the Leaving Certificate vary from year to year in response to student demand. Not all subjects may be offered each year.

All subjects are taught at Higher level, with the exception of Gaeilge and Mathematics, where there is streaming into Higher and Ordinary level classes.