The Formal Curriculum
First Year
A system of Subject Sampling is in operation for First Year students.
The following applies: Students study all subjects in the core section all year and each subject in the ‘Subject Sampling’ for half the school year on a rotational basis.
Core Examination Subjects |
Subject Sampling (16 weeks each) |
|---|---|
Irish |
Materials Technology (Woodwork) |
English |
Materials Technology (Metalwork) |
Maths |
Technical Graphics |
Science |
Music |
Language |
Art |
Business Studies |
Home Economics |
History |
|
Non Exam core subjects |
Geography |
Religion |
Physical Education |
SPHE |
Home Economics |
CSPE |
|
PE |
|
Computers |
*What is SPHE? Social, personal and health education, as part of the curriculum, supports the personal development, health and well being of young people and helps them create and maintain supportive relationships.
Taster Programme:
A taster programme is in place prior to students entering the school to give students an opportunity to sample French and Spanish. The taster programme also allows students to taste other subjects such as physical education as well as facilitating the transition from Primary to Secondary School. The taster programme begins in January each year.
Second & Third years:
At the end of first year students decide on their subjects for Junior Certificate.
Core Examination Subjects |
Non Exam core subjects |
|---|---|
Irish |
Religion |
English |
SPHE |
Maths |
CSPE |
Science |
PE |
Language |
Computers |
The New Junior Cycle Programme:
Information letter for 3rd year parents January 2020
Information letter for 2nd year parents January 2020
In 2014 the first phase of the New Junior Cycle Programme began. Your son/daughter will take the following subjects as part of the New Junior Cycle Programme:
There was a phased in programme for the introduction of subjects:
|
|
1st 2014 | 1st 2015 | 1st 2016 |
1st 2017 |
| English | √ | √ | √ | √ |
| Business | √ | √ | ||
| Science | √ | √ | ||
| Irish | √ | √ | ||
| French | √ | √ | ||
| Spanish | √ | √ | ||
| Art | √ | √ | ||
| Maths | √ | |||
| Home Economics | √ | |||
| History | √ | |||
| Music | √ | |||
| Geography |
√ |
In each of these subject there are:
- Two Classroom-based Assessments.
One is carried out in 2nd year and one in 3rd year.
- An Assessment Task carried out in 3rd year which is worth 10% of final grade in the Junior Cert (The Department of Education and Skills will issue details as regards timings etc of these Assessments)
- A Final Written Exam in June of 3rd year
Classroom Based Assessment:
Students will be informed of their grade in each Classroom Based Assessment by their Teacher following a Subject Learning and Assessment Review by subject teachers. The grading system for the Classroom Based Assessments is as follows:
- Exceptional
- Above expectation
- In line with expectations
- Yet to meet expectations
These grades (descriptors) may appear on school reports and will appear in the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement issued by the Department of Education and the school in early 2021.
Final Written examination:
The Final Written examination will be held in June of 3rd year and the grade achieved here combined with the Assessment Task result will be the grade on the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement.
The grade system for the final written exam is as follows:
GRADE RANGE (%)
- Distinction ≥90 to 100
- Higher Merit ≥75 and <90
- Merit ≥55 and <75
- Achieved ≥40 and <55
- Partially Achieved ≥20 and <40
- (not graded) ≥0 and <20
For further information please go to
www.curriculumonline.ie, www.jct.ie, www.juniorcycle.ie, www.ncca.ie
They also choose three subjects from those sampled in first year. At the end of Third Year students sit their Junior Certificate Examinations. The new Junior Cycle programme is clearly outlined at www.jct.ie/ www.ncca.ie/en/junior-cycle, www.curriculumonline.ie/Junior-cycle/Junior-Cycle-is-changing
Senior Options :
After Junior Certificate students have the option of doing a two/three year Leaving Certificate cycle.
Transition Year:
Transition Year is a year between Junior Certificate and the beginning of Leaving Certificate. Moate Community School has designed its own Transition Year Programme to meet the needs of its own students. One of the chief benefits of TY is that students can sample various subjects and have the opportunity to grow and mature.
Leaving Cert:
After Junior Certificate/Transition Year students study a 2 year Leaving Certificate Course.
Core Examination Subjects |
Non Exam core subjects |
|---|---|
Irish |
Religion |
English |
PE |
Maths |
Career Guidance |
Leaving Cert students choose four other subjects for examination:
Home Economics History Geography Agricultural Science Computer Science
Biology Physics Chemistry Art Physical Education
Music Engineering Business Construction Studies
French/Spanish Accounting Applied Maths. Design & Communications Graphics (DCG)
All subjects are offered at Higher/Ordinary level.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme Students taking certain combinations of subjects qualify as LCVP students. This programme allows the students to have project work together with work experience recognised as a subject. It is a considerable advantage to have project work carried out during school time accepted as an examination subject, which qualifies for points. Students choose any 2 subjects from the combinations listed.
The subjects which qualify a student for LCVP are Specialist Groupings:
• Construction Studies or Engineering or DCG (any two).
• Physics and Construction Studies or Engineering.
• Agricultural Science and Construction Studies or Engineering.
• Agricultural Science and Chemistry or Physics.
• Home Economics and Agricultural Science or Biology.
• Home Economics and Art.
• Accounting or Business or Economics (any two).
• Physics and Chemistry.
• Biology and Chemistry or Physics. Services Groupings
• Engineering and Business or Accounting or Economics.
• Construction Studies and Business or Accounting or Economics.
• Home Economics and Business or Accounting or Economics. 21 22
• Agricultural Science and Business or Accounting or Economics.
• Art and Business or Accounting or Economics.
• Music and Business or Accounting or Economics.
The student of course takes Irish, English, Maths and two further subjects as usual. There is no difference for LCVP students and ordinary LC students. Three additional short courses or modules are done by LCVP students.
• Enterprise Education
• Preparation for Work
• Work Experience
The modules are examined by portfolio (60%) and examination (40%).