Junior Certificate

The Junior Cycle framework was introduced to schools in 2014. The Framework contains 24 statements of learning, underpinned by the eight principles, provide the basis for schools to plan for, design and evaluate their junior cycle programmes. That process of planning focuses on the combination of curriculum components (subjects, Priority learning Units and short courses) and other learning experiences. The link for the full framework is available here: https://ncca.ie/en/junior-cycle/

Subject Options on offer to students in Scoil Mhuire

Students can study a maximum of 10 subjects for the JCPA, with an option of 9 subjects if they take 2 short courses of 100hours.

Reporting and Assessment

A dual approach to assessment, involving classroom-based assessment across the three years and a final externally assessed, state-certified examination can enable the appropriate balance between preparing students for examinations and facilitating creative thinking, engaged learning and better outcomes for students. From now on, junior cycle students will receive a new Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA). The JCPA will reflect a much wider range of your child’s achievements over the three years of junior cycle. The JCPA will report on a number of areas, including;

• Subjects (State Examination-SEC and Assessment Task- AT)
• Classroom Based Assessments (CBA)
• Short courses
• Other areas of Learning (OAL)

The state examination that students sit at the end of their junior cycle will also be graded differently. Instead of A, B, C, D, E, F and NG the following descriptors will now be used:

Classroom Based Assessments

Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs) provide our students with opportunities to demonstrate their learning and skills in ways not possible in a pen and paper examination, for example, their verbal communication and investigation skills. CBAs will be undertaken in subjects and will be facilitated by the classroom teacher during a defined time period within normal class time and to a national timetable. For the majority of our subjects, Students will complete one CBA in second year and one in third year.

Once the second CBA is completed students in third year will complete a written Assessment Task. (AT) This task, set by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), is undertaken during normal class time and will be sent to the State Examinations Commission (SEC) for marking. The Assessment Task will be worth 10% of the overall mark in the case of most subjects. At the end of third year, students will sit the final SEC examination in June. CBAs will be reported on in the JCPA using the following descriptors:

• Exceptional
• Above Expectations
• In Line with Expectations
• Yet to Meet Expectations

State Exams

Exams will be set, held and marked by the state Examinations commission in June of 3^rd year which will account for 90% of the final grade in most subjects. English, Irish and Math’s will be offered at Higher and Ordinary level and be one 2 hour exam. All other junior cycle subjects will be offered at a common level.

Other Areas of Learning

Students will have many opportunities to engage with a range of other learning experiences in Scoil Mhuire as part of their Junior Cycle Programme and these can be recorded on the JCPA. Other learning experiences play a critical role in ensuring that students are provided with a broad and balanced educational experience. These may be in curricular, extra-curricular, volunteerism or school community based.

Our students could include their engagement in:

*This list is not exhaustive

Student Wellbeing

Your child’s wellbeing is of central importance to his/her educational success and overall happiness. As a result, Wellbeing will become a core part of your child’s junior cycle experience. This area of learning includes, amongst others, Physical Education, Civic, Social and Political Education, Social, Personal and Health Education (including Relationship and Sexuality Education) and Guidance.

Level 2 Learning Programmes

There is a new Junior cycle pathway for students with particular special educational needs called Level 2 Learning Programmes (L2LPs). These are successfully taking place in special schools and are available for some students in mainstream post-primary schools also. Students completing this programme will have their results reported on the JCPA