Junior Cycle Review

The NCCA has been reviewing the junior cycle in response to issues raised about the degree to which the aims and principles originally set out for the Junior Certificate programme had been realised in its implementation.

The issues identified included the extent to which students encountered an appropriate and relevant curriculum, the impact on the curriculum of the assessment approaches used, the actual level of curriculum overlap and overload, and the manageability of the programme at school level in terms of time allocation and subject choices.

The NCCA has responded to these areas of concern by instituting a number of initiatives.

Rebalancing of subject syllabuses

In response to concerns about curriculum overload and repetition within and between subjects, the NCCA has been involved in a process of rebalancing the junior cycle curriculum. The purpose of this rebalancing is to ensure that students can engage with their learning in the way that it was envisaged when the junior cycle was first established.

Find out more about Rebalancing...

Assessment for Learning (AfL)

AfL emphasises the young person's active role in his/her learning. It is about using assessment as a tool to improve and support students' learning. AfL happens before, during and after lessons rather than at the end of a unit of teaching. It allows for effective differentiation and gives students ownership of their learning. It encourages students to think about their learning rather than expecting the teacher to be in control.

More about AfL...

Research into students' experiences in junior cycle

This major research project follows a group of students from their transition to post-primary school to the completion of their Junior Certificate in 12 schools.

More about students' experiences...

Support for curriculum planning

School Development Planning Curriculum Review at Junior Cycle; This resource was developed jointly by the NCCA and the Coordination Team of the School Development Planning Initiative (SDPI).

More about junior cycle curriculum planning...