THE TRANSITION YEAR
PROGRAMME
Parents’ Overview
2014-2015
TRANSITION YEAR
INTRODUCED IN 1973
MAINSTREAMED IN 1994
APROX. 75% OF ALL POST PRIMARY
SCHOOLS
CERTIFIED by Dept.of Education and
Science in 2000
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
TRANSITION YEAR
Transition Year is a one year school
based programme between Junior and
Senior Cycle.
It is designed to act as a bridge
between the two by facilitating the
smooth transition from the more
dependent learning of the Junior Cycle
to the more independent self-directed
learning required for the Senior Cycle.
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
TRANSITION YEAR
Mission Statement of Transition Year
“To promote the personal, social,
vocational, and educational
development of students and to
prepare them for their role as
autonomous and participative
members of society”
(Dept of Education , Transition Year Guidelines 1994/1995 )
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
AIMS of Transition Year
Education for
MATURITY
with emphasis on
social awareness
& increased social
competence
Education through
experience of ADULT
& WORKING LIFE
as a basis for personal
development &
maturity
Promotion of general,
technical and academic
SKILLS with an
emphasis on
interdisciplinary and
self-directed learning
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
Transition Year Rationale
To provide a learning
structure which promotes
maturity
To develop a wide range of
cognitive and emotional skills
To be learning led rather
than exam driven
To ensure breadth and
balance in the curriculum
To provide experiential
learning
To challenge students in all
areas of development
To facilitate interdisciplinary
and cross-curricular links
To develop life skills
To learn through networking
with other schools and social
agencies
To encourage variety in
teaching and learning styles
To enable students to become
independent, self-directed and
self-regulated learners
To encourage a more
professional use of assessment
To promote compensatory and
remediatory education.
To co-operate with all
educational partners in
providing a broad and
enriching experience.
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory
in T.Y.
• Bodily-Kinesthetic –Sport, Body Language, Craft, Drama, Touch
• Logical/ Mathematical – Maths, Science, Debating, Analysis
• Linguistic – Languages, Oral Presentations, Writing , Poetry , Novels
• Visual/Spatial – Graphics, Maps, Design, Art, 3-D imagery, Collage
• Musical – Musical, Learn/play instrument, Write Lyrics, Languages
• Interpersonal – Teamwork, Group projects, Lead, Mediate , Share
• Intrapersonal- Reflection, Individual goals , Self directed learning
• Naturalist – Environment, flora, fauna, animals, collections, series.
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
Planning and Timetabling
Transition Year …….
LEARNING LED not EXAM DRIVEN
SCHOOL BASED –UNIQUE TO EACH SCHOOL
STUDENT FOCUSED
TEACHERS’ EXPERTISE IS USED
INDIVIDUAL SYLLABII WRITTEN
D.E.S. /T.Y PDST/ T.Y.TEMPLATE
VARIED TEACHING & LEARNING
VARIED MODES/TECHNIQUES OF ASSESSMENT
INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY EVALUATED
DEPARTMENT SUPPORT/CERTIFICATION
INSPECTORATE MONITORING
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
TRANSITION YEAR
Why do Transition Year?
 Time to mature and develop
 Space to reflect and plan
 Develop new competencies
 Preparation for challenges that lie
ahead
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
Challenges Facing Young People
Leaving Certificate :
• Helpful in terms of informing Subject
Choice
• Helpful in terms of Study Skills/Learning
Styles
• Helpful in terms of promoting Independent
Self Directed Learning
• Assessment/Self assessment/AFL
• CAO choices/Course
requirements
Loreto College, St. Stephen's
Green.
Challenges Facing Young People
Third Level :
We are mindful of the challenges
students will be facing at third
level:
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Leaving home skills
Self management skills
Time management skills
Group/Project work/Research skills
I.C.T. skills
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
Challenges Facing Young People
Adult and Working life :
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Self esteem/awareness/assertiveness
Relationships skills
Teamwork Skills
Maturity/critical judgement
Careers/Work experience/Work simulation
Interviews – C.V. , Portfolios
Technical and Vocational skills
I.C.T. skills
Social/Personal/Health Education
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
ESRI Assessment of TYP
•Transition Year places a strong emphasis on the
process of learning.
•On average, students who took part in TY
achieved higher Leaving Certificate exam grades
and were more likely to go on to higher education
than non-participants, all else being equal.
•Transition Year is found to have definite academic
benefits for students and is thought by the
majority of principals nationally to have a positive
impact on student development.
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
Attitudes to TY –
NUIM Report to DES
Perceptions of Outcomes of T.Y. :
•Students more mature as result of TY experience
•Promotes young people’s confidence
•Improves bond between classmates
•Facilitates better relationship between students and
teachers
•Opportunities to explore adult & working life seen as
distinct benefits
•Teachers indicate that TY has positive impact on
school climate
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
THE TRANSITION YEAR
PROGRAMME 2014-2015
Loreto College
St. Stephen’s Green
PEELING THE LAYERS OF A
TY PROGRAMME
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
Core Subject Layer
English x 3
Irish x 3
Mathematics x 4
Religious Education x 2
Careers – Vocational & Personal
Guidance x 1
 French/Spanish/German x 3
 Science x 3
 P.E. x 2
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Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
Subject Sampling Layer
 Home Economics (Cookery for Today)
 Art
 Commerce – Business, Accounting &
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Economics
History
Geography
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
T.Y. Specific Module & Subject Layer
 Information Technology – e portfolio,
 Computers/digital literacy - Scratch
 Choir or Drama
 Relationships & Sexuality Education
 Aerobics
 Chinese Language and Cultural Studies
 Mind Gym (helpful for Project Maths)
 International Relations
 Debating
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
Set Module (as anticipated for 2014/15): a
double period per week)
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Italian For Fun
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Horticulture
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Young Environmentalist Award
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Step into Marketing Programme
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City Quay student teaching/learning initiative – 8
places
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Social and Political Studies: Northern Ireland
places (Incorporating Glenlola Collegiate exchange)
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Craft – Junk Kuture - Fashion Design Module
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
METHODOLOGIES
Active & learner-focused
Teacher as facilitator
Collaborative learning encouraged
Group work / Pair work
Role-play /simulations
Project work /Fieldwork
Out-of-school activities
Visiting speakers
Negotiated learning
Practical work
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
Calendar – ‘Once Off’ Layer
Placements:

Work Experience Placement
Monday 13th Oct. – Friday 24th Oct. 2014
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Community Work Placement
Monday 2nd Feb. – Friday 13th Feb. 2015

Dedicated period for Language Exchanges:
Monday 9th March – Friday 10th April 2015 incl.
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Additional Work Experience or Community Work Placement :
Monday 25th May – Friday 29th May
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
What is Community Care?
Experience in any of the community care
services is a relevant element in the
preparation for adult life. Services such as
those concerned with social and economic
disadvantage; physical, sensory and mental
disabilities; and for special groups such as
children, the chronically ill and the aged are
most appropriate for this placement.
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
Calendar – ‘Once Off’ Layer
Lectures/Workshops:
Accord – Negotiating Relationships
Adventure Centre (2 nights)
Public Access to Law
Computer & Internet Safety
Cookery Demonstrations – Cloughjordan
House
 Dance (Contemporary)
 Fire Safety
 Health Matters – Nutrition; Mental Health;
Physical Well-being & Fitness; substance
abuse prevention.
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Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
Calendar – ‘Once Off’ Layer
Martial Arts
Retreat
Road Safety Awareness – Gardai
Samba Music Workshops
Skiing lessons (4)
Song School and Film School
Visits to Museums & Art Galleries; chocolate
factory
 Visit to Criminal Courts
 Conservation module – Dublin Zoo
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Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
T.Y. Competitions & Projects
include:
Debating Competitions
Gaisce President’s award - Bronze
Model United Nations
Young Scientists’ Exhibition
Young Environmentalist Awards/Mini
Company
 Marketing Institute of Ireland - Step into
Marketing
 Subject related competitions/projects – e.g
Junk Kuture Fashion Competition
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Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
ASSESSMENT
‘Assessment should be an integral part of
the learning process in Transition Year
not separate from it’ (D.E.S.Guidelines)
Portfolio assessment
Oral/Aural assessment
Project work
Self-assessment
Peer-assessment
Written/Practical Class tests
Skills assessment.
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
Homework & Assessment in T.Y.
Homework:
 Aural / Oral / Written
 Project
 Research
Assessment:
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Assignments
Examination (Oral / Written)
Port Folio
Interview & Presentation
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
EVALUATION
ENCOURAGED AS A REGULAR FEATURE
External –
INSPECTORATE / Dept. of Education and
Skills
Internal –
SCHOOL – WHOLE STAFF
TRANSITION YEAR TEACHING TEAM
TRANSITION YEAR CORE TEAM
INDIVIDUAL SUBJECT TEACHER
STUDENTS
PARENTS
PLACEMENT PROVIDERS
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
Certification
• DES Certificate
• BT Young Scientists’ Competition
• Gaisce Bronze Medal Award
• Model United Nations
• IMRO Certificate - Songschool
• Mini-Company/Young Environmentalist
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
Parents – How can you help?
Understand importance of school attendance –
it is vital for overall success of the programme
Encourage your daughter to avail of the learning
opportunities provided
Show interest in her projects & activities –
Read and sign her school journal on a weekly basis,
also request to look at her Transition Year Website
where she will be logging her experiences
Ask about the your daughter’s additional reading
requirement
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
Parents – How can you help?
Endeavour to adhere to school recommendations re
times for language exchange programmes, work
experience etc.
Share with us your skills and ideas
Attend Parent Teacher Meeting
Read materials provided - TY Programme; TY section
on website; correspondence sent home etc.
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.
TRANSITION YEAR
Transition Year Motto
“You will get back from T.Y. what
you put into it.”
Be Active! Be Involved!
Loreto College, St. Stephen's Green.