Junior Cycle

Information

The Junior Cycle covers the first three years of secondary school. Children begin their second-level education around the age of 12. The Junior Certificate examination is held at the end of the Junior Cycle in post-primary schools and students normally sit the exam at the age of 14 or 15.

During the Junior Cycle, students study eight broad areas:

• Language and literature
• Mathematical studies
• Science and technology
• Social, political and environmental education
• Arts education
• Physical education
• Religious and moral education
• Guidance, counselling, pastoral care.

Over the three years in the Junior Cycle, every student should have formal experiences across these eight areas. Twenty-six subjects are currently available but not all schools offer them. You can view the Junior Cycle syllabus and curriculum information here. All students must follow courses in Irish (except where that student is exempt from studying Irish), English, mathematics and civic, social and political education. There may be other compulsory subjects, depending on the type of school.

Proposed changes to Junior Cycle

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) has produced new proposals (pdf) for reform of the Junior Cycle. These include a cap on the number of subjects to be assessed; new “statements of essential learning”; a mix of exam and portfolio assessment; and a new Level 2 award for students with special needs.

Read the detailed proposals from the NCCA (pdf).

The Junior Certificate School Programme

The Junior Certificate School Programme has been designed to help young people who are at risk of leaving school early and who would benefit from special support when they are working towards the Junior Certificate.

The programme aims to promote competence in:

• Literacy, numeracy and spoken language skills
• Experience in various areas of activity, such as artistic and scientific activity
• Knowledge and guidance in matters of personal health, sexual awareness and relationships
• Formative experience in moral, religious and spiritual education
• Computer literacy
• Knowledge and appreciation of social cultural heritage
• Understanding of ideas about citizenship.

Schools that offer the programme are given extra resources in order to facilitate teachers to develop a team approach to supporting the students.

Students taking the Junior Certificate examination study the normal Junior Certificate syllabus. All students participating in the Junior Certificate School Programme must be entered for the Junior Certificate examination and all students who have been profiled are entitled to a profile, which is an individualised record of their achievement. This profile is in addition to the Junior Certificate.