St. Brendan’s offers a comprehensive student centred Junior Cycle programme – with a choice from subjects) and 4 short courses. For a number of students the L2LP Programme is also available. At Senior Cycle student choice again drives our programmes.
Our Transition Year programme is optional with a typical uptake of 70% of 3rd year. Our Leaving Certificate Applied offers an alternative senior cycle experience for 15 students annually.
Our Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme is a worthwhile option for students with a work experience interest while we offer 25 subjects for study at Leaving Certificate. Our philosophy is to provide our students with as broad an academic option as is possible.
Junior Cycle Programme
Core Subjects
- Religious Education
- English
- Gaeilge
- Maths
Electives
- Science
- Business
- Geography
- History
- French
- German
- Wood Technology replaces Material Technology for Year 1 [Material Technology (Wood) in Year 2 & 3]
- Graphics replaces Technical Graphics for Year 1 [Technical Graphics in Year 2 & 3]
Wellbeing (Short Courses)
- CSPE
- SPHE
- Physical Education
Elective (Short Courses)
- Coding
Senior Cycle Programme
Core Subjects
- English
- Gaeilge
- Maths
Electives
- Religious Education
- French
- German
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Applied Maths
- Agricultural Science
- Business
- Accounting
- Economics
- History
- Geography
- Art
- Home Economics/Spanish – available in St. Bridgid’s
- Music
- Design & Communication Graphics
- Construction Studies
- Politics & Society
- Computers Studies
- Physical Education
LCA Leaving Certificate Applied Programme (2 years)
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme The Leaving Certificate Applied is a distinct, self-contained two-year Leaving Certificate programme aimed at preparing students for adult and working life. The programme sets out to recognise the talents of all students and to provide opportunities for developing personal responsibility, self-esteem and self-knowledge. The programme focuses on the talents of each student and helps students apply what they learn to the real world. The two-year programme consists of four half-year blocks called sessions. Achievements are credited in each session. The courses Courses are offered in three main areas:
- Vocational preparation, involving work experience, enterprise and communication
- General education, offering lifeskills, the arts, social education, leisure and language
- Vocational education.
Course structure Each course consists of a number of modules. Each module takes place over half a year. There is also a wide range of practical courses, called vocational specialisms, from which the student can choose. Assessment and examinations Assessment is continuous throughout the course and there is a final examination. Assessment takes place on the completion of modules and practical activities that allow the student to integrate the learning from different courses. The final examination must be taken in the following areas:
- English and communication
- Two vocational specialisms
- Mathematical applications
- Language
- Social education.
There are written and oral examinations in all languages. There are practical examinations in the vocational specialisms. The written examinations take place in June, at the same time as the examinations for the established Leaving Certificate.
LCVP Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (2 years)
Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme LCVP Programme. LCVP is a Senior Cycle Programme of the Department of Education and Skills, designed to give a strong vocational dimension to the Leaving Certificate (established). The programme combines the virtues of academic study with a new and dynamic focus on self-directed learning, enterprise, work and the community. Young people taking the LCVP have a unique opportunity to develop their interpersonal, vocational and technological skills. These skills are equally relevant to the needs of of those preparing for further education, seeking employment or planning to start their own business.The LCVP is funded by the Department of Education and Skills under the National Development Plan. Throughout the programme students are encouraged to:
- Be innovative and enterprising
- Take responsibility for their own learning
- Adapt to changing circumstances
- Evaluate data and devise solutions to problems
- Communicate their thoughts and ideas effectively
- Work with others as part of a team
- Investigate and plan career options
- Use information and communications technologies
- Investigate local businesses and community enterprises
- Learn from their experiences
Programme Requirements Programme Requirements for students taking Leaving Certificate Examination from 2004 onwards
- At least five Leaving Certificate subjects plus the Link Modules, one of which must be Irish
- Two of the above subjects must be selected from one of the designated Vocational Subject Groupings
- Two Link Modules: Preparation for the World of Work and Enterprise Education
- A recognised course in a Modern European Language other than Irish or English
Transition Year (1 year)
The Principal allocates students to classes. Subject to sufficient demand and resources, the Board of Management reserves the right to determine on an annual basis the range and level of subjects, including the minimum number of students to justify the offering of a particular subject class.