The Curriculum

STUDENT-CENTRED LEARNING

In Limerick ETSS, we place students at the centre of the learning process. Our vision for
teaching and learning builds on the thinking underpinning the Framework for Junior Cycle
and the Senior Cycle Key Skills Framework.

JUNIOR CYCLE

Junior Cycle promotes a focus on active and collaborative learning. In Limerick ETSS, we will
endeavour to provide our students with learning opportunities that will enable them to:

ANALYSE information in new and creative ways
INVESTIGATE issues
EXPLORE topics and concepts
THINK for themselves
BE CREATIVE
PROBLEM-SOLVE
APPLY THEIR LEARNING to new challenges and situations

SENIOR CYCLE

The vision of learners completing Senior Cycle is that they will pursue excellence in learning
and develop a love of learning. In keeping with Junior Cycle, they will engage with the
knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that will enable them to learn how to learn. At Senior
Cycle, learners will encounter the key skills frequently and in an integrated way in many areas
of the curriculum.

JUNIOR CYCLE CURRICULUM

CORE SUBJECTS:

Gaeilge
English
Maths
Science
History
And any one of the following:
French
Spanish
German (subject to recruitment)

SHORT COURSES:

DML (Digital Media Literacy)
Any any one of the following:
Artistic Performance
Film Studies
Coding

WELLBEING SUBJECTS:

CSPE (Civic, Social & Political Education)
SPHE (Social, Personal, Health Education)
PE (Physical Education)
Guidance

OPTION SUBJECTS:

Choose one from each band:

BAND 1:

Business
Home Economics
Materials Technology Wood
Graphics
Geography
Art

BAND 2:

Business
Home Economics
Materials Technology (Wood)
Materials Technology (Metal)
Geography
Music
Art

SENIOR CYCLE CURRICULUM

CORE SUBJECTS:

Gaeilge
English
Maths
And any one of the following:
French
Spanish

WELLBEING SUBJECTS:

Guidance
RSE (Relatioships Sex Education)
PE (Physical Education)
Guidance

OPTION SUBJECTS:

Choose one from each band:

BAND 1:

Construction Studies
Music
Home Economics
Computer Science
Chemistry

BAND 2:

Biology
History
Geography
Physics

BAND 3:

Art
DCG (Design Communication Graphics)
LCPE (Leaving Certificate PE)
Politics and Society
Business

LCVP (Leaving Certificate Vocational
Programme)

FIRST YEAR TASTER PROGRAMME

CHOOSING SUBJECTS AT JUNIOR CYCLE – OVERVIEW

All first year students will follow an initial taster programme so that they can sample all subject options before making their final choice. Prior to the October midterm break, students will choose one option subject from the two bands as detailed below (these are subject to change and review annually).

All first year students undego Standardised Testing (Cognitive Ability Tests (CAT4s) and Post-Primary Assessment and Diagnosis – English) from which the data gathered can help informstudents’ subject option choices. Subject options include:

BAND 1:

Business
Home Economics
Materials Technology Wood
Graphics
Geography
Art

BAND 2:

Business
Home Economics
Materials Technology (Wood)
Materials Technology (Metal)
Geography
Music
Art

Students in first year will also follow a taster programme for the following short courses before making their final decision.

SHORT COURSES

Artistic Performance
Coding
Film Studies

*Please note that Digital Media Literacy (DML), PE, SPHE and CSPE are mandatory.

The short course is a curriculum component in Junior Cycle. A short course is designed for approximately 100 hours of student engagement and provides opportunities for schools to broaden the range of educational experiences they offer in Junior Cycle.

MIXED ABILITY AND STREAMING AT JUNIOR CYCLE

All classes in first year are taught as mixed ability. Streaming may occur in Gaeilge, English and Maths and is subject to discussion and agreement between teachers and the Principal. Streaming will only be considered where there is an educational advantage for all students.

LEAVING CERTICIATE APPLIED (LCA)

The Leaving Certificate Applied is a two-year Leaving Certificate, available to students who wish to follow a practical or vocationally orientated programme. The Leaving Certificate Applied is made up of a range of courses that are structured round three elements: Vocational Preparation, Vocational Education and General Education.

THE PROGRAMME

English and Communication

Mathematical Applications

Social Education

Vocational Preparation and Guidance

Hotel, Catering and Tourism

Irish/French/Spanish

Introduction to ICT

Visual Art

Horticulture

Leisure and Recreation with PE

Guidance

Work Experience

TRANSITION YEAR

OVERVIEW

The Transition Year (TY) is a one-year programme that follows the three-year junior cycle. It is designed to act as a bridge between the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate programmes. In Limerick ETSS, there is an expectation that all students do Transition Year.

Transition Year encourages personal and social developments and recognises the need for students to become independent, self-directed and motivated young people. In Limerick ETSS, our Transition Year programme offers students a broad variety of learning experiences inside and outside the classroom – Curricular, cocurricular and extra-curricular. Transition Year is an exciting and innovative way of learning for students with a focus on Project-Based Learning.

INITIATIVES/PROGRAMMES

GAA Future Leaders

First Aid and Fire Safety

Manual Handling Course

Car Maintenance

Road Safety/Driving Education

Intro to Barista Course

VIP UL Experience

Self-defence

HACCP and Food Safety Course

Waiting Course

Forensic Science Workshops

Music Generation Workshops

Navy and Army Recruitment Talks

Garda Recruitment Talks

Substance Abuse Talks

Solicitors of the Future

Finance Management Programme

UL Junior Health Science Academy

Career and College Talks/Trips

Outdoor Activites & Sporting Trips

Guest Speakers

Gaisce

Student Council

Green Schools

Amber Flag

Charity Work/Fundraising

BT Young Scientist

Young Social Innovators

Student Enterprise

Retreats

LAYERS OF OUR TRANSITION YEAR PROGRAMME

There are four layers to our Transition Year prorgamme as follows:

CORE LAYER

Irish Language and Culture Studies

English Literature, Drama and Film Studies

Project-Based Maths

Modern Foreign Languages (French/Spanish)

Career Guidance -Preparing for the World of Work

Personal Development (Wellbeing)

Physical Education

Sports, Anatomy and Nutrition

SUBJECT SAMPLING LAYER

Creative Arts

Music

Construction Studies

Business

Accounting

Computer Science

Photography

Coding

Design and Communication Graphics (DCG)

Applies Sciences (Biology/Chemistry/Physics)

TRANSITION SPECIFIC LAYER

Performance Arts – Annual Musical

General Studies

Development Education and Sustainability

Media Studies

Project-Based Learning Portfolio

TY Work Experience

CALENDAR LAYER

TY Work Experience

Charity and Volunteering Placement

Whole School Annual Musical

Foreign Trip

Ski Trip

A Winter’s Tale Concert

Day Trips

Language, culture and other school events

Guest speakers

Killarney Adventure Centre