THE TRANSITION YEAR
PROGRAMME
Virginia College
Thursday, 14 March 2011
Mr. Michael Duffy
INTRODUCTION
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One year programme
Bridges the transition from JC to LC
Encourages personal/social
development and independence
Development of a wide range of
transferable skills
Fosters academic achievement
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Each school devises its own
timetabled programme to cater for
the needs of its students
Essentially the Transition Year
programme in Virginia College
offers students a broad and balanced
curriculum
LAYER ONE
Core Subject Layer:
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English
Irish
Mathematics
Science
LAYER TWO
Subject Sampling Layer:
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Spanish/German/French
Creative Design
Hotel, Catering and Tourism
Music and Drama
Graphics and Construction
Engineering
LAYER THREE
Modules specifically designed for TYP:
 First Aid
 Drive for Life and Road Safety
 Health and Lifestyle
 Health and Hygiene
 Water Safety Skills Bronze Award
 GAA Coaching and Referee Award
 Peer Educators Programme
 Choose Safety Programme
LAYER FOUR
Calendar Events:
 Lourdes Diocesan Pilgrimage
 Co. Enterprise Board Awards
 Work Experience
 Theatre Trip/Pantomime
 Tain Adventure Centre
 Retreat
 Pumpkin Festival
 Visiting Speakers from Gardai, Concern…
 French Exchange
ASSESSMENT
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Integral part of the teaching and learning
process
All aspects of the programme are
assessed
Variety of techniques:
project work, portfolios, aurals, written
tests, practicals, exhibitions, oral
presentations, worksheets, diaries
Self Assessment
CERTIFICATION
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Department of Education and
Science’s certificate of participation
Virginia College’s certificate
Additionally certified courses such as
First Aid, Gaisce, Bronze Award,
Drive for Life, Young Scientist of the
Year, Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Cert…
BENEFITS
Transition Year can help students:
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Discover more about their personal
strengths
Develop maturity and self-confidence
Build interpersonal and team skills
Develop entrepreneurial skills
Explore the working world
Achieve improved Leaving Certificate
results
Research
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There is growing evidence that
students who have taken the
Transition Year Programme are more
self-reliant learners when they enter
third-level education than their peers
(Source: Commission on the Points System, Final
Report & Recommendations, 1999. P46)
RESEARCH FINDINGS
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National Council for Curriculum and
Assessment (1994)
The Economic and Social Research
Institute (2004)