Transition Year

Transition Year (TY) is a one-year programme taken after Junior Cycle and before the two-year Leaving Certificate programme. Each school designs their own unique Transition year programme.

Transition Year was introduced in St John’s College in September 2013. The main aims of Transition Year is to help young people mature and develop. In St. John’s College, we encourage students to become independent learners. Students are given opportunities to develop communication skills, self-confidence and a sense of responsibility.

Transition Year is student focused, rather than exam focused. Students are offered a broad variety of learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom.

Students participating in the TY Programme will develop skills needed for the 21st century. These include communication skills, working with others, critical and creative thinking and information processing. Learning will be more activity based and assessed in a different way than in the traditional Junior Certificate.

In St. John’s College, TY students will sample a wide range of subject areas which will allow them to make better and more informed subject choices for their Leaving Certificate.

These include: Biology, Physics, Home Economics, Business, History, Geography, Art, Craft & Design, Construction Studies, Design and Communication Graphics, French and Spanish.

Students will also sample subjects such as: Enterprise (Mini Company & fundraising), Career Guidance, Relationships & Sexuality, Preparation for the Adult and Working Life, Road Safety and Contemporary Issues.

Students will still study core subjects such as English, Maths, Gaelic Studies, Information Technology and Physical Education for the year.

In St. John’s College, we use a Credit System to assess students work. Students achieve credits for attendance, punctuality, project work, assignments and behaviour. A portfolio of work is submitted at the end of the year.

Students complete two weeks of work experience throughout the year also. A diary of this work experience is then submitted.

Mock interviews are also held in March every year. This gives students an opportunity to further develop their communication skills and prepare for the world of work.

Exams take place in English, Maths and Gaelic Studies at Christmas and summer.

Students receive a certificate of Distinction, Merit or Pass at the end of Transition Year.

TY students gain on average an extra 26 points more in their Leaving Cert!!

TY students are twice as less likely to fail the Leaving Cert!!

TY students are two and a half times less likely to drop out of college!!