Transition Year

The Transition Year programme has run in Ardee Community School since 2011. It is an optional programme. Each year, we have a very strong uptake with an average of 80% students opting for Transition Year after Junior Cycle. We aim to facilitate offering the transition year programme to as many students as possible each year. We provide a planned comprehensive programme of subjects and modules.
 
After Junior Cycle/Transition year we offer two parallel programmes, the conventional Leaving Certificate and the Leaving Certificate Applied.
 

1. Leaving Cert Applied – LCA
   This is a recognised practical based programme aimed at those students who have difficulty accessing the depth of study needed for the conventional Leaving Certificate.Students participate in a series of structured tasks, projects, interviews, oral exams and final exams. Attendance of 90% is required by students on the programme. Students can use this qualification to access further education through the Post Leaving Certificate Course (PLC) route and other training programmes. Students undertake one day’s work experience per week over the two years.
2. Conventional Leaving Certificate
   We offer a very comprehensive range of subjects. To date, most students get to study most if not all their chosen subjects. Students choose four option subjects.

 

Compulsory Subjects	Optional Exam Subjects
Maths	Biology
Irish*	Chemistry
English	Physics
Religious Education	Agricultural Science
Career Guidance	French
PE	German
ICT	Business
SPHE	Accountancy
	History
	Geography
	Art
	Music
	Home Economics
	Design and Communication Graphics (DCG), (Junior Cycle Graphics)
	Engineering (Junior Cycle Engineering)
	Construction (Junior Cycle Wood Technology)
	Politics and Society
	Physical Education (Exam Subject)
	Computer Science (Exam Subject)
	Entreprise Education (LCVP)
	Technology
	Applied Maths

 
Applied Maths is currently offered in the school outside school hours as an additional subject.
Politics and Society, Leaving Certificate Physical Education, Leaving Certificate Computer Science and Technology have been introduced as exam subjects in recent years.

 

Key Aims of Transition Year

1. To develop key life skills, such as teamwork, communication, planning, leadership, and time management.
2. To help students discover personal strengths.
3. To develop maturity and self-confidence.
4. To enable students to extend boundaries and embrace change.
5. To develop independent learning.
6. To prepare for the world of work.
7. To explore and develop links and contributions to each other, to the school and to the wider community.
8. To begin the journey towards decision making on senior cycle programme/subject choice and course/career choices after school.

Our Transition Year Programme

Please note that the programme on offer for Transition Year varies from year to year and is dependent on the school resources and other programmes available.