RamsgrangeCommunitySchool

The Transition Year (TY) is a one-year programme that typically forms the first year of a three-year senior cycle in many schools. It is designed to act as a bridge between the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate programmes.

Transition Year has been open to all second-level schools, of which approximately 75% currently offer the programme. In many schools Transition Year is optional for students. Transition Year offers pupils a broad educational experience before proceeding to further study and/or vocational (employment) preparation. It provides a bridge to help pupils make the transition from the highly-structured environment of normal schooling to one where they will take greater responsibility for their own learning and decision-making.

Pupils get the opportunity to participate in learning strategies which are active and experiential and which help them to develop a range of transferable skills (e.g. critical thinking and creative problem-solving) that will be important in their future careers. Transition Year also provides an opportunity for pupils to reflect on develop an awareness of the value of education and training in preparing them for the ever-changing demands of the adult world of work and relationships.

The programme has three main aims:
1. Education for maturity with emphasis on personal development, including social awareness and increased social competence.
2. The promotion of general, technical and academic skills with an emphasis on interdisciplinary and self-directed learning.
3. Education through experience of adult and working life as a basis for personal development and maturity.

Subject options
Each school devises its own unique programme to meet the needs of it's students. The programme offers students a broad and balanced curriculum based on the following four 'layers':

Core Subjects - are usually those subjects that all students take for the full year. Examples include Physical Education, I.C.T., Mathematics, Gaeilge, English etc.

Subject Sampling may involve giving students a taster module of the Leaving Certificate subjects available in the school to help them make informed choices when making their subject choices later. Subject sampling may also expose students to new subjects that they have not experienced before. Examples include: Environmental Studies, Physics, Art, Home Economics, Business Studies, etc.

Transition Year Specific Layer includes subjects and modules devised both within the school and by external agencies supporting the programme in schools. Examples include: Mini Company, Photography, Tourism Awareness Programme, Young Social Innovators etc…

TY Calendar Layer includes "once off" activities. Examples include: Work Experience, Outdoor pursuits, Social outreach, Field Trips, Visiting Speakers etc.

The less structured nature of most Transition Year programmes combined with the exploration of new subjects and work experience all provide excellent experiences from which students can develop their career interests.