Junior Cycle

The Junior Cycle Programme at Grennan College

The Junior Cycle features newly developed subjects and short courses which focus on key skills and the implementation of new approaches to assessment and reporting. Underpinning the new Junior Cycle are a set of principles, key skills and statements of learning. These ensure that your child receives a rich educational experience and a varied curriculum of knowledge, skills and values.

Key Skills at Junior Cycle

The Framework for the Junior Cycle (Framework for Junior Cycle | NCCA) provides the basis for Grennan College to provide relevant educational programmes which are inclusive and foster the holistic development of each student. Active and innovative learning and teaching methodologies are employed to ensure quality learning experiences for all, including those with special educational needs.

Core Examinable Subjects

Our Junior Cycle students study the following core examinable subjects:

*Please Note: Students with an exemption from the study of Irish as per Department of Education Circular Letter 0055/2022 are not required to study Irish

Elective Subjects

Students also select three of these elective subjects for their Junior Cycle examination:

Wellbeing

All students in Grennan College study short courses in Civic Social and Political Education (CSPE), Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) and Physical Education (PE). Students engage in modules such as Choir/ Caring Aspects and Literacy and Numeracy as part of the Wellbeing provision in Grennan College. Students also meet with their Class Tutors each morning for 10 minutes (Monday – Thursday) and this is a key part of our school day, whereby a Wellbeing programme is followed and positive relationships are fostered.

Religious Education

All Junior Cycle students study Religious Education.

Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA)

The JCPA captures student achievements in several assessment elements undertaken over the three years of Junior Cycle. The JCPA reports on the following:

• Subject Grades from the state-certified final examinations
• Classroom Based Assessments
• Other Areas of Learning

Classroom Based Assessments

During the three years at Junior Cycle, students will sit Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs). These CBAs allow your child to experience subjects and topics in many different ways, most importantly, they allow students to demonstrate their learning through methods that would not be possible to assess with pen and paper. CBAs are in every subject, CBA 1 in Second Year and CBA 2 in Third Year. They follow a national timetable and are awarded Descriptors by their classroom teacher. These descriptors are reported on through school reports and are also on your child’s JCPA when they complete Junior Cycle.

Once the CBAs are completed in third year, students then complete a written Assessment Task. This task is set by the NCCA, undertaken during normal class time and then sent to the State Exams Commission for marking. These Assessment Tasks are worth 10% of the overall mark received by the students in their final State Examinations Assessment which they sit in June of Third Year. The grading system for these exams has also changed (see image below).

Other Areas of Learning

Finally, students will have the opportunity to engage with a range of other learning experiences as part of their Junior Cycle programme in Grennan College. These learning experiences can range from art competitions, music performances, writing competitions etc. These experiences play an important role in ensuring your child receives a broad and balanced educational experience. These other areas of learning are also reported on through the JCPA.

Check Out the Following Links for More Information On the Junior Cycle

• Junior Cycle Information for Parents/Guardians
• Junior Cycle Ongoing Assessment Explained