Work experience is a valuable opportunity for students to step beyond the classroom and explore the world of work. At Ramsgrange Community School, we place great importance on the work experience undertaken by our senior students in Transition Year (TY), Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA), in fifth year, particularly if doing the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP). It allows students to develop practical skills, build confidence, and gain insight into different careers. By engaging with local businesses and organisations, students learn responsibility, communication, and teamwork. We strongly value this experience as it helps students make informed decisions about their future pathways and prepares them for further education, training, and employment.
Students doing the TY programme engage in 3 sessions of work placement. TY placements take place each Tuesday, usually beginning in October each year and run for approximately 7/8 sessions each. Two of the placements are in a work setting of interest to them and their future career and the other is in a setting where a community service is being provided such as a charity shop or voluntary organisation (eg: day care centre/animal shelter). Relevant dates for the TY work placements are given to TY students at the start of the TY programme and are posted on TY Teams.
Students doing the LCA programme engage in 4 sessions of work placement. LCA placements take place each Wednesday. Relevant dates for the LCA work placements are given to the students at the start of the LCA programme and are posted on LCA Teams. LCA placements run from Sept - Jan and Feb - May each year with 2 sessions completed during LCA1 and the other two completed during LCA2. LCA students gain credits for completing work experience (with 90%+ attendance) along with other relevant key assignments.
All students in fifth year(including LCVP students) have the opportunity to engage in one week of work placement. This usually takes place in March of fifth year for the students and details are given to students at the beginning of fifth year.