Ballinamore Post Primary Schools 

Curriculum Policy 

Scope

The policy applies to the choice of subjects and levels in Junior and Leaving Certificate and is in accordance with the Department of Education and Science’s rules and regulations. 

Mission and Aims

Our Mission is the provision of a broad, relevant curriculum for our students, through which they can develop their full potential.  We aim to prepare our students to participate as good Christians and as good citizens in society. 

The provision of a broad curriculum involves choice.  Students will have to choose what subjects they will present for Leaving and Junior Certificate.  This choice will be conditional on the availability of places in some of the subjects and in the subject itself being available.  The choice may also be restricted by the subject combinations and by the restrictions on timetabling. 

Rationale

The rationale is to help students make the best use of the range of subjects available. 

Objectives

The objectives of this policy are to:

(a) Clarify the range of choices available for Junior and Leaving Certificate Students.

(b) To outline procedures for allocating students to a class.

 

Policy Content

 

(a)Division of Students into classes in First Year

·        Students will be allocated classes on an alphabetical basis taking gender balance into account.  Parents will be asked if they wish to have brothers or sisters in the same class or in separate classes.   

(b)Choice of subjects in First Year

·        All students study the following: Irish, English, Mathematics, Religious Education, History, Geography, French, Science, Business Studies and CSPE. 

·        All students choose two of the following: Metalwork, Woodwork, Technical Graphics, Home Economics and Typewriting.

·        All First Years  study SPHE (non-examination subject).

·        The above arrangements depend on the Department of Education’s allocation of teachers.  The subject combinations may change from time to time.

 

(c)Division into Higher and Ordinary levels in Second Year Junior Certificate

bulletAt the beginning of second year students will be divided into higher and ordinary level classes for Mathematics and Irish.  The basis of the division will be the results of the house examinations. 

(d)Choice of subjects for Leaving Certificate

·        Towards the end of Third Year students will be surveyed as to what subjects they wish to study for the Leaving Certificate. It is important that students consult with their parents and with their career and subject teachers before making a decision.  On the basis of the consensus that emerges and on the basis of resources available, the Principals will draw up the subject combinations. 

·        Students will be invited to consider the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme.  

·        The students will then be asked to choose their subjects for the Leaving Certificate.

·        Further refinement may be necessary if classes are too large or if some subjects have to few students.

·        Subjects that have less than five applicants may not be made available.

·        Students will be expected to keep to their choice.  Only in exceptional cases may students change subjects or programmes at the beginning of Fourth Year. 

 

(e) Choice of higher or ordinary level in Leaving Certificate

bulletStudents who wish to study English, Irish and Maths at a higher level should normally have achieved at least a C in a higher-level paper in the Junior Certificate examination.
bulletWhere two classes of the same level exist the places will be allocated according to the results of the Junior Certificate.
bulletThe Principal assigns students to classes.

Implementation and Review

The school authorities have drafted this policy; it comes into effect in September 2003.  The Board of Management following consultation with teachers, Students Council and Parents Council, has ratified this policy.