Senior cycle is currently undergoing a significant phase of review. Following research and consultation with learners, teachers, management bodies, and many others, a number of areas were prioritised for development and are at various stages of progress. Some of the important features of this work include the development of more flexible programmes of learning, outcomes-based syllabuses for subjects and short courses, the development of key skills and new ways of assessing. Follow the links below to find out more.
Consultation
The recent phase of consultation has now concluded. Reports on the science subjects, short courses and physical education will be available early in 2012. Watch out for consultation on the languages in April 2012.
Towards Learning - an overview of senior cycle education
The development of new subjects and courses and the review of existing subjects are informed by a vision of creative, confident and actively involved young people who are prepared for a future of learning. Follow this link to read more.
Key Skills
Resource materials have been developed for the embedding of key skills in teaching and learning.
Project Maths
Project Maths is being rolled out in all schools since September 2010.
Politics and Society
The syllabus for Politics and Society was approved by Council in 2011 and has been forwarded to the Department for Education and Skills. Opportunites for introducing the new subject to schools are currently being explored.
Science Subjects
Syllabuses for Biology, Chemistry and Physics have been reviewed and are available for consultation here.
Physical Education
A new syllabus is being prepared for Physical Education. This will be a new subject for examination. A non-examination curriculum framework is also under development. Both are now available for consultation here .
Social, Personal and Health Education
The Curriculum Framework for Social, Personal and Health Education was developed by NCCA in consultation with teachers learners, parents, management bodies and others. Discussions on how best to introduce it for all schools are ongoing. In the meantime, it is available here for schools who wish to avail of it.
Other Subjects
Language syllabuses are also undergoing review and committees are currently considering the assessment of the languages.
Short Courses
Two sample short courses, Enterprise and Psychology, are now available for consultation.
Flexible Learning Profiles
A group of schools are exploring more flexible approaches to learning at senior cycle.
Transition Units
A large number of transition units are now available for downloading.
The review of aspects of the Leaving Certificate Applied has commenced.
Making connections
Senior cycle is an important stage of education in its own right, but it is also important that learners experience a smooth transition both into senior cycle from junior cycle and from senior cycle into the world of work and further learning. It is planned to pay particular attention to these two transitions during 2011. As the Junior Cycle Curriculum Framework is developed, the transition from junior cycle to senior cycle will be emphasised.
A joint National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and Higher Education Authority conference on the transition from post-primary school to higher education took place on 21 September 2011. For more details go to www.transition.ie
You might also like to check out the section on Leading and Supporting Change in Schools which looks at some ideas on how these changes might find their way into schools.
For more information, follow the links
History of the review
Senior Cycle Education in Ireland
Working with Schools