Since 2014, a number of changes have begun taking place at Junior Cycle, following the introduction of the new Junior Cycle Framework. This outlines the Principles underpinning learning at Junior Cycle as well as 24 Statements of Learning and 8 Key Skills that are embedded in student learning in and across all subjects and in all their learning activities in school.
For reference, terminology that relates to the new Junior Cycle has been highlighted in bold. A glossary of these terms and what they mean in the new Junior Cycle can be found here.
Junior Cycle at Ratoath College
All students at Junior Cycle study the following subjects:
- Either French or Italian
Students also choose 2 other subjects from the following:
- Business Studies
- Home Economics
- Wood Technology
- Visual Art
For these subjects, students complete a course of study outlined in the subject specification. Since 2014, subjects have been changing over on a phased basis to these new specifications.
In 2019-2020, students will follow these new specifications as detailed below. Click on the subject name to view that subject's specification:
|Subject||First Year||Second Year||Third year|
Assessment at Junior Cycle
Subjects are assessed on an ongoing basis by the student's teacher, by Classroom Based Assessments (CBAs) and with an exam in June of Third Year. The grade awarded for the final exam includes 10% awarded for an Assessment Task completed by the student in class in the second half of Third Year.
Other Types of Learning at Junior Cycle
Students study Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE) as a Short Course.
Students also follow timtabled courses of study in Religious Education, Physical Education, Digital Learning, Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) and The Learning Curve.
Students are encouraged to access Other Areas of Learning through, for example, involvement in extra-curricular activities.
Alongside all of this, students engage in up to 400 hours of Wellbeing activities over the three years of Junior Cycle.
Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement
At the conclusion of their three years of learning at Junior Cycle, each student receives a Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) that includes their final exam results, CBA Grade Descriptors and details of their Other Areas of Learning.
More information about the changes at Junior Cycle can be found in the documents and websites below: