Galway ETSS

The Irish Education System

The Irish Education System

The Irish education system is structured into several key stages:

irish ed system.jpg

  1. Pre-school Education: This is not mandatory but is available through the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme, which provides free early childhood care and education for children of pre-school age1.
  2. Primary Education: Children typically start primary school at age 5 or 6. The curriculum is child-centered and includes subjects like Irish, English, Mathematics, and Social, Environmental and Scientific Education (SESE)1.
  3. Post-primary Education: This stage is divided into two cycles:
    • Junior Cycle: Lasts for three years, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Year, starting at age 12 approximately. It culminates in the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) examination the end of 3rd Year .
    • Senior Cycle: Lasts for two or three years, depending on whether students take an optional Transition Year (after 3rd Year). The Senior Cycle ends with the Leaving Certificate examinations, which are crucial for university admission1.
  4. Further and Higher Education: After completing secondary education, students can opt for further education courses or higher education at universities, institutes of technology, and colleges or they can apply for an apprenticeship in a trade such as carpentry or plumbing. The Leaving Certificate results are typically used for admission to these institutions but there are also other routes of access which can be discussed with the Guidance Counsellor in our school.

Education is compulsory for children from ages 6 to 16 or until they have completed three years of post-primary education1.

For more detailed information:

1 https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/education/the-irish-education-system/overview-of-the-irish-education-system/

Common Acronyms used in the Irish Education System are:

JC – Junior Cycle

JCT – Junior Cycle for Teachers

JCPA - Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement

CBA - Classroom Based Assessments

TY – Transition Year

LC – Leaving Certificate

LCE – Leaving Certificate Established

LCVP – Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme

LCA – Leaving Certificate Applied

JC – Junior Certificate

JCT – Junior Cycle for Teachers

TY – Transition Year

LC – Leaving Certificate

LCE – Leaving Certificate Established

LCVP – Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme

LCA – Leaving Certificate Applied

SEC – State Examinations Commission

DES – Department of Education and Skills

CAO – Central Applications Office

PLC – Post Leaving Certificate

SPHE – Social, Personal and Health Education

CSPE – Civic, Social and Political Education

SEC – State Examinations Commission

DES – Department of Education and Skills

CAO – Central Applications Office

QQI - Quality and Qualifications Ireland

PLC – Post Leaving Certificate

SPHE – Social, Personal and Health Education

RSE - Relationships and Sexuality Education

CSPE – Civic, Social and Political Education

BoM - Board of Management

EAL - English as a Foreign Language

LGBTQI+ - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex +

DLP - Designated Liaison Person (for Child Protection concerns)

DDLP - Deputy Designated Liaison Person

SEN - Special Educational Needs

AEN - Additional Educational Needs

Nov 11
2024
Assessment Week
Nov 27
2024
School Show
Nov 28
2024
School Closure (Oide Training)
Dec 02
2024
TY Work Placement 1
18-Mar-2020
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28-Nov-2019
We had the first meeting of our parent community this week. Lots of great ideas were shared.
14-Nov-2019
As part of science week we are hosting numerous in school activities for all our students aswell as workshops off campus
Contact
Galway Educate Together Secondary School,
Newtownsmith,
Galway,
H91 DP11

091 394262


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