All subjects are now under the Junior Cycle and each has its own specification replacing what was previously known as a syllabus. Each specification describes the learning that takes place as part of the student’s study of a subject in Junior Cycle. All new subject specifications have now been introduced. Students can study a maximum of 10 subjects for the JCPA.

Students will still sit state examinations in subjects at the end of their Junior Cycle. These will be graded differently. Instead of A, B, C, D, E, F and NG the following descriptors will now be used:

• Distinction 90 to 100 %

• Higher Merit 75 to 89 %

• Merit 55 to 74 %

• Achieved 40 to 54 %

• Partially Achieved 20 to 39 %

• (not graded) 0 to 19 %

Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs) provide students with opportunities to demonstrate their learning and skills in ways not possible in a pen and paper examination, for example, their verbal communication and investigation skills. CBAs will be undertaken in subjects and will be facilitated by the classroom teacher during a defined time period within normal class time and to a national timetable. Students will complete one CBA in second year and one in third year.

Once the second CBA is completed students in third year will complete a written Assessment Task. This task, set by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), is undertaken during normal class time and will be sent to the State Examinations Commission (SEC) for marking. The Assessment Task will be worth 10% of the overall mark in the case of most subjects. At the end of third year, students will sit the final SEC examination in June. CBAs will be reported on in the JCPA using the following descriptors:

• Exceptional

• Above Expectations

• In Line with Expectations

• Yet to Meet Expectations

Schools may offer short courses on their Junior Cycle programme. A short course is designed for approximately 100 hours of student engagement across two or three years of the Junior Cycle. We are currently exploring short courses which are innovative and interesting to our students with a view to introducing them in the future.

Students have the opportunity to engage with a range of other learning experiences as part of school life and these can be recorded on the JCPA.

Other learning experiences play a critical role in ensuring that students are provided with a broad and personal educational experience, which is reflective of the individual learner and their own learning journey.

A new reporting structure at Junior Cycle will contribute to a more personal. educational and holistic development of students. It supports and underpins ongoing learning and assessment. The learning journey becomes essential so students learn HOW to learn as well as what they are learning. Assessment & Reporting aims to:

• Provide information to parents about their son’s/daughter’s achievement and progress in school

• Support students in their learning by suggesting next steps or providing feedback to help students’ self-evaluation.

As the Junior Cycle has a student centered approach, with a strong focus on the learner and their learning experiences, in The Teresian School, we offer subjects which allow our students to reach their potential and grow their own natural talents.

All subjects other than those within our Wellbeing programme, will be assessed through CBAs (Classroom Based Assessments) an AT (Assessment Task, and a final exam.

CSPE, SPHE and PE fall under our Wellbeing programmes and offer our students support in looking after themselves, their physical, spiritual and mental health and the world around them.