A complete PDF version of our booklet related to the Junior Cycle curriculum and options can be viewed and/or downloaded here
Parents and Guardians
We are conscious that the transition of your child from primary to post-primary education, marks another milestone in your child’s development. As you help your child through this transition, it is natural to feel a degree of anxiety and concern at the challenges before them.
We hope that you find this information is worthwhile and will address any concerns that you may have regarding subject choices.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the college.
Please remember to have your completed forms returned to the main office on or before the stated deadline.
A Brief Outline of Our Aims and Objectives
At Fingal Community College, our Educational Aims include a commitment to:
- Build on the knowledge, understanding, skills and competencies acquired at primary school.
- Develop each student’s personal and social confidence, initiative and competence through a broad, well-balanced general education.
- Prepare each student for the requirements of third-level education, employment and the demands and challenges of adult lift.
- Contribute to the moral and spiritual development of the young person and to develop an understanding and respect for the values and beliefs of others.
- Prepare the young person for the responsibilities of citizenship, in the national context and in the context of the wider international community. Recognise the need to provide broadly based programmes for all students, at levels appropriate to their ability.
Class Sizes
The maximum class size will not exceed 30 pupils in academic subjects. In practical classes, the maximum number will not exceed 24 pupils however the maximum number of students for Home Economics is 20.
Mixed Ability at Fingal Community College
Strict streaming of classes has been found to foster negative attitudes and to lower self-esteem. In order to promote and encourage student self-confidence, classes are placed in mixed ability groups.
The opportunity for students to prepare for examination subjects at various levels is achieved by setting. This involves timetabling two or more classes for a particular subject at the same time. Thus, it is possible for a student to undertake the Junior Cycle course in different subjects at different levels. For example, a student might wish to take Junior Cycle English at Higher or Ordinary Level. The same student may choose to take Maths at Ordinary Level. This system allows for flexibility so that the students’ needs are met, and yet it avoids a stigmatisation, which can go hand in hand with a system of strict streaming.
Key Skills
Aims of the Programme
The new junior cycle will place the student at the centre of the learning process. It allows for new ways of learning and a broader range of skills to be properly assessed. Underpinning the new junior cycle are a set of principles, key skills and statements of learning. These will ensure that your child receives a rich educational experience that has both breadth and depth. Your child will have access to a varied curriculum of knowledge, understandings, skills and values. Eight principles underpin the framework for Junior Cycle. These inform the planning for, as well as the development and implementation of, junior cycle programmes in our school.
The eight principles of Junior Cycle are:
- Learning to Learn
- Choice and Flexibility
- Quality
- Creativity and Innovation
- Engagement and Participation
- Continuity and Development
- Inclusive Education
- Wellbeing