In St Aidan’s CBS, Transition year is an optional programme taken between Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate. It has evolved over the years since it was first introduced in 1994. The planning of our programme involves the whole-school. In addition to each subject department having developed its own syllabus, much cross curricular planning has generated new and innovative modules over the years.
Our TY programme is reviewed annually and changes are made to enhance the program based on students', teachers' and parents' views and experiences. Transition Year is a great opportunity for our students to work with their teachers to develop their personal and social awareness skills and competence.
The mission statement of the Transition Year is:
To promote the personal, social, educational and vocational development of pupils and to prepare them for their role as autonomous, participative and responsible members of society.
An emphasis is placed on:
- Education for maturity, spiritual and personal development, including social awareness and increased social competence.
- The promotion of general, technical and academic skills with an emphasis on interdisciplinary and self-directed learning.
- Education through experience of adult and working life as a basis for personal development and maturity.
Transition year gives students an opportunity to:
- Receive a broad education experience free from exam pressure, new subjects, new experience which the Junior Cycle and Leaving Cert does not provide.
- Experience the world of work. To give them opportunities to research career options, plan for the future and set realistic goals.
- Build confidence and mature into young adults.
Criteria and Procedure for Admission to the Programme
Since the number of places to be offered is limited, we have established certain criteria and procedures for admission. When allocating places for the programme, the school will consider the suitability of each applicant and his inherent potential to develop and benefit from the programme. Students who wish to do the Transition Year Programme must make a formal application to the school by filling in an Application Form.
The TY Curriculum
The St Aidan’s Transition Year programme curriculum consists of four layers: the Core subjects’ layer, the Subject Sampling layer, the Transition Year specific layer and the Calendar events layer.
Core Subjects Layer:
Maths, English, Irish, PE, Religious Education, Social,Personal and Health Education
Subject Sampling Layer:
Leaving Certificate subjects:
French, History, Geography, Business Studies
Practical Rotations
Students may choose Music and Drama as a full year module or join the practical rotation Art Craft and Design, Materials Technology, Design and Communication Graphics and Technology.
Science Rotation
Biology, Physics,Chemistry and Nutrition Studies
Transition Year specific layer:
Digital Media Literacy, Computer Studies (Microsoft Office Specialist)
Horticulture, Cookery, Lifeskills, High Performance education, Primary school experiences.
The following Programmes are also offered:
- Reach + career and College preparation programme
- Project One Sky Wellbeing Programme
- Concussion workshop
- Choose Safety Programme (HSA)
- Induction for Work Experience Programme
Calendar layer events:
A large variety of day trips, guest speakers, competitions and workshops are offered:
Recess team bonding Trip, TY Hike, Surfdoc, Barnardos fundraising event, CSI, Enterprise workshops, Zeminar, Irish Aid workshop, St Patrick's Cathedral Tour, Bank of Ireland, School Bank, Personal Safety, Junior Achievement Ireland, Ice skating, Compute TY, Go Quest, Glasnevin Cemetery tour, Laughter Lounge, French cinema trip, Irish heart foundation fundraiser, Movie Magic workshop, TY Ceili, School of Etiquette, TY retreat, TY Play, First Aid, Road safety workshop, Skip n Rope, Belong workshop, Tinpot radio Transmission, Looking into Law Programme, RSCI Mini med programme , Reptile workshop, Zip it, Microsoft Dreamspace, Barista training, Go Beyond Adventures, Healthfest. Students are encouraged to participate in competitions from Gaisce Awards, Money Smarts programme, Enterprise competition and the BT Young Scientist.
Work Experience
Work experience is one of the main elements of the programme. Each year, Transition Year students from St Aidan’s go on work placements and enjoy the opportunity to not only learn about the world of work and explore possible career options but also to actively develop skills for future enterprise and employability.
Where possible, students are encouraged to find placements in work related to the career in which they have a special interest. It is the responsibility of each student to make his own application and to find their own work experience placement as this is an essential element of preparation for the world of work. Students are not paid for work experience.
Exceptional work placements
Week placements: In some limited instances employers may only be able to offer a block week of work experience. Where these placements are of a high value to the students career choices the student may submit an application to the Transition Year Coordinator for permission to be released for this week.
Transition Year Work Experience Placement takes place each Wednesday during the academic term. The first session begins in September and the second session begins in January. Ideally a different placement should be sought for each session.