An educational phase is a defined school or stage in the child's education, which is normally defined by legislation or regulation and which is characterised by the age of students, school type and curriculum and assessment arrangements. The curriculum and assessment frameworks described in this Archive are related to the separate phases in each country.
There are three main levels in the education system in Ireland: first-level, second-level and third-level. The first- and second-level are referred to generally as primary and post-primary education respectively. Third-level education refers to college and university level higher education.27
Education (other than third-level education) is generally organised in accordance with the following four phases:
Pre-school ages 3-4
Primary (first-level) ages 4-12
Although education does not become compulsory until age 6, very many children aged 4 and 5 are in the infant classes of primary schools. Consequently, for the purposes of this Archive, the primary phase is designated as providing for children aged 4-12.Secondary (second-level) junior cycle ages 12-15
Secondary (second-level) senior cycle ages 15-17/18
Although children in Ireland are not obliged to attend school until the age of 6, well over half of all 4-year-olds and almost all 5-year-olds are enrolled in early childhood education in infant classes provided by state-funded primary schools. Provision for children aged 4-6 is consequently described in section 3.2.2 (second phase, primary education) of this Archive.
State provision for younger children has traditionally been less developed, however the Supplementary Budget April 2009 announced a free pre-school year of Early Childhood Care and Education for all children between the ages of 3 years 3 months and 4 years 6 months. 79
Provision for children up to the age of 3 is usually provided in some form of nursery or childcare environment. From the age of 3 to 4 what provision there is becomes more formalised in non-state funded crèches, nurseries and playgroups.
There are also some state-funded compensatory programmes for 3-year-olds, including programmes for children of travellers. (There are, for example, just over 50 pre-schools for traveller children which receive some central government funding.) In addition, there are a number of pre-school programmes for children with special educational needs (SEN).27
The health authorities also give grants to voluntary bodies to offer pre-school provision for children with disabilities and SEN, and for disadvantaged groups. These are mainly in nurseries and in community playgroups run by voluntary agencies. The Child Care Act 19913 acknowledged the links between health and education measures and provided for consultation with the Minister for Education and Science with regard to regulations concerning the health, safety, welfare and development of pre-school children making use of pre-school services.27
The Early Start Pre-school Programme
The Early Start Pre-school Programme was set up by the Department of Education and Science in October 1994. This programme, which is supported by the European Union and targets areas of particular disadvantage, aims to expose young children to an educational programme which will enhance their overall development and lay a foundation for successful attainment in future years. The programme is part of the Government's local and urban renewal development programme and currently caters for more than 1,800 children.27,10
The 'Breaking the Cycle' initiative
The 'Breaking the Cycle' initiative was launched in 1996 to cater for the most seriously disadvantaged schools. One aspect of the initiative is to provide one teacher for every 15 children in the first five years of schooling, thus providing an improved pre-school experience for disadvantaged families. The initiative also involves the appointment of home/school liaison co-ordinators supporting almost 300 schools throughout the country. The home/school liaison scheme operates both at primary and secondary level, and provides additional support to schools serving children and parents who suffer severe social and educational disadvantage. The co-ordinators aim to involve parents in the daily schooling of their children. This home/school liaison scheme has also been significant in the development of the Early Start Pre-school Programme, see above.10
Pre-school playgroups
Apart from the 'Early Start' and the 'Breaking the Cycle' initiatives (see above) which provide pre-schooling for disadvantaged families, most pre-school playgroups offering provision for children under the age of 4 are privately owned. 10
White Paper on Early Childhood Education
The 1999 White Paper on Early Childhood Education "Ready to Learn" set out government proposals on issues relating to education for children aged 0-6 years.22
The policy initiatives set out in the White Paper, which remains a consultative document, aim to develop and raise standards in the pre-school sector. Proposals focus, in particular, on meeting the developmental needs of children aged 3 to 4 and improving continuity and links between pre-school and primary school systems, particularly in view of the fact that many primary schools provide education for children aged 4+.22 In 2006, the Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education (CECDE) developed Sciolta: The National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education in Ireland 77. In October 2009, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) launched Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework 75.
Admissions requirements in private or voluntary pre-schools are those set down by the owners of the institutions. Most pre-schools accept children from the age of 2½ years and many also provide crèche or baby-minding facilities. For admission to childcare and pre-school education under the 'Early Start' programme, families must be in a "designated area of disadvantage" (see 3.2.1 above).10
There is wide variety in the number of hours children spend in pre-schools. Many pre-schools look after children from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.10
Although children in Ireland are not obliged to attend school until the age of 6, well over half of all 4-year-olds and almost all 5-year-olds are enrolled in early childhood education in infant classes provided by state-funded primary schools. Provision for children aged 4-6 is consequently described in this, the second phase of this Archive (rather than in the first phase, pre-school provision).27
In other words, provision in schools for children aged 4 to 6 years is an integral part of the regular school system, with children in infants classes (aged 4-6) following a prescribed curriculum and being taught by fully-trained school teachers.22 Pre-schools are usually attached to a primary school and are an integral part of that primary school. They operate within the general framework of the primary school system.27 The first two classes in primary school are usually designated junior infants (children aged 4-5) and senior infants (for 5- to 6-year-olds).10
The primary education sector comprises primary schools, special schools and non-aided private primary schools. It serves almost 500,000 children. There are just over 3,200 primary schools and 116 special schools.27
Almost half of the primary schools in the Republic of Ireland have fewer then 100 students and three or fewer teachers. Most of the special education schools have fewer than 200 students. Most primary schools are co-educational, although many single sex schools do exist.10
In response to local demand, primary schools may be established in which children are educated through the medium of Gaeilge (Irish).10 There are around 110 of these schools catering for almost 16,000 children.33
In accordance with the Education Act 19982 , each school is responsible for publishing its own policy concerning admissions to, and participation in, the school.21
Children must be aged 4 or over to begin primary education, although compulsory education does not start until they are aged 6. Parents may choose the school.9
Pre-school age children may be enrolled in the junior infants class of a primary school (see 3.2.1) on their fourth birthday.10
The school year comprises 183 days (September to the end of June) for primary children. Schools open on five days a week (Monday to Friday). The minimum annual lesson time at primary level is 915 hours. There is no fixed number of lessons which must be taught. Lessons generally last 30 minutes and schools follow general guidelines in regard to the amount of time per week allocated to each aspect of the curriculum (see 5.2.2 in addition).9
Primary schools usually open between the hours of around 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. In addition to religious instruction for five half-hour sessions each week, schools are generally required to provide four hours and ten minutes of secular instruction each day. (See section 5.2.2 in addition.)10
Children in junior infants and senior infants classes in primary school (aged 4-6) normally have a shorter school day, ending between 1.30 and 2.30 p.m.10
The terminology 'lower secondary' and 'upper secondary' is not generally used in Ireland. The first three years of secondary education are now broadly called junior cycle, and senior cycle describes the two or three years of post-compulsory secondary education in school after the junior cycle (see section 3.2.4).10
Compulsory and post-compulsory secondary level education is also often known in Ireland as second-level or post-primary education. The second-level sector comprises secondary schools, vocational schools, community schools and comprehensive schools and consists of a compulsory three-year junior cycle for students aged 12-15, followed by a two- or three-year post-compulsory senior cycle. There are around 370,000 students in the second-level sector in total, attending around 770 publicly-aided schools; around 450 of which are secondary schools, 250 vocational schools and 80 community schools or comprehensive schools. In addition, there are around 30 other aided and non-aided schools.27
Secondary schools, educating over 60 per cent of second-level students are privately owned and managed. The majority are conducted by religious communities and the remainder by Boards of Governors or by individuals. Over 95 per cent of the cost of teachers' salaries are met by the State. In addition, other government allowances and grants are paid to the vast majority of such schools.13
Vocational schools, educating over 25 per cent of all second-level students, are administered by vocational education committees. Vocational schools are funded by up to 93 per cent of the total cost of provision. The balance is provided by receipts generated by the committees.13
Community schools and comprehensive schools, educating around 13 per cent of second-level students are allocated individual budgets by the State.13
All second-level schools offer a comprehensive curriculum, although there is less emphasis on vocational subjects in secondary schools.
The Government of Ireland believes that this phase of education - junior cycle, students aged 12-15 - 'covers a vital period in young people's lives when they encounter significant changes in their educational experience'.27
Education is free of charge in all vocational schools, comprehensive schools and community schools, and also in the majority of secondary schools, although five per cent of secondary schools charge fees. Most second-level schools are co-educational, although single sex schools do exist.10
When children complete primary education (at the age of 12), they are admitted to the junior cycle of secondary-level (post-primary) education. Parents may choose the school.9
To be registered in a junior cycle school, students must reach the age of 12 by 1st January of their first year in secondary education. Until 1994 some voluntary secondary schools had entrance examinations for the purpose of screening intake. This practice no longer continues. Some children transfer to vocational schools when they have completed primary education, normally at age 12. Traditionally, there has always been open access to these State-funded vocational schools.10
In accordance with the Education Act 19982 , each school is responsible for publishing its own policy concerning admissions to, and participation in, the school.21
Catchment areas are used for the purposes of planning post-primary school provision. There are around 260 - 270 areas in total, each of which is geographically defined. They tend to involve a number of primary schools from which children feed into a single post-primary centre These centres are usually towns in which there is one or more post-primary school(s). School transport provision is planned on the same basis as the catchment areas. 70
The school year comprises 179 days (September to the end of May) for junior cycle students (aged 12-15). Schools open on five days a week (Monday to Friday). There is no fixed number of lessons which must be taught and schools follow general guidelines in regard to the amount of time per week allocated to each aspect of the curriculum (see 5.3.2). Class periods normally last between 35-45 minutes, and there may be 35-42 classes in a week.9
At the discretion of the board of management, secondary-level schools may choose to operate a six-day week. Schools operating a six-day week are required to be in operation for a minimum of 199 days.10
In practice, the majority of schools operate between around 9 a.m. and 3.30 or 4 p.m. (depending on the length of the lunch break) five days per week, Monday to Friday. (Many students in urban schools go home during the lunch break since most Irish schools do not have canteen facilities. Students in such schools usually finish at around 4pm. In rural areas and in some urban schools also, the need for transportation to and from school ensures that students remain on the school premises during the lunch break. Consequently, classes will normally finish at 3.15 or 3.30 p.m.)10
Class periods of instruction in secondary-level schools vary between 35 minutes and 55 minutes, most schools favouring a combination of 35/40 and 45 minutes. Most schools operate a 40-period (40-lesson) week though some have 45 periods. The length of class periods is at the discretion of the school authorities and in practice it is the school headteacher or principal who decides, usually in consultation with the teachers.10
The terminology 'lower secondary' and 'upper secondary' is not generally used in Ireland. The first three years of secondary education (see 3.2.3) are now called broadly junior cycle, and senior cycle describes the two or three years of post-compulsory secondary education in school after the junior cycle.10
Compulsory and post-compulsory secondary-level education is also often known in Ireland as second-level or post-primary education. The second-level sector comprises secondary schools, vocational schools, community schools and comprehensive schools and consists of a compulsory three-year junior cycle for students aged 12-15, followed by a two- or three-year post-compulsory senior cycle (students aged 15-17/18). There are around 370,000 students in the second-level sector in total, attending around 770 publicly-aided schools; around 450 of which are secondary schools, 250 vocational schools and 80 community or comprehensive schools. In addition, there are around 30 other aided and non-aided schools.27
Secondary schools, educating over 60 per cent of second-level students are privately owned and managed. The majority are conducted by religious communities and the remainder by Boards of Governors or by individuals. Over 95 per cent of the cost of teachers' salaries are met by the State. In addition, other government allowances and grants are paid to the vast majority of such schools.13
Vocational schools, educating over 25 per cent of all second-level students, are administered by vocational education committees. Vocational schools are funded by up to 93 per cent of the total cost of provision. The balance is provided by receipts generated by the committees.13
Community schools and comprehensive schools, educating around 13 per cent of second-level students are allocated individual budgets by the State.13
All second-level schools offer a comprehensive curriculum, although there is less emphasis on vocational subjects in secondary schools.
Most community schools or colleges in this phase are schools which concentrate on vocational education. In many of these schools, students aged 15-17 are the majority. Many community colleges share premises and staff with other second-level schools.11
Education is free of charge in all vocational schools, comprehensive schools and community schools, and also in the majority of voluntary secondary schools, although five per cent of secondary schools charge fees. Most second-level schools are co-educational, although single sex schools do exist.10
Students in post-compulsory senior cycle education are either following a one-year Transition Year programme or one of three types of two-year Leaving Certificate programmes: the established Leaving Certificate, the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP), and the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) (see 6.4.1 in addition). This will influence the subjects they study during this phase.27
In addition, the option of a three-year senior cycle was introduced in 1994. Students who take this option study a Transition Year programme followed by one of the three two-year Leaving Certificate programmes detailed above. See section 5.4.1 in addition.34
In accordance with the Education Act 19982 , each school is responsible for publishing its own policy concerning admissions to, and participation in, the school.21
Students usually progress automatically from the junior cycle to the senior cycle in the same institution.9
The school year comprises 179 days for senior cycle secondary education. Schools generally open on five days a week (Monday - Friday). There is no fixed number of lessons that must be taught and schools follow general guidelines in regard to the amount of time per week allocated to each aspect of the curriculum (see 5.4.2). Class periods normally last between 35-45 minutes, and there may be 35-42 classes in a week.10
At the discretion of the board of management, second-level schools may choose to operate a six-day week. Schools operating a six-day week are required to be in operation for a minimum of 199 days.10
In practice, the majority of schools operate between around 9 a.m. and 3.30 or 4 p.m. (depending on the length of the lunch break) five days per week, Monday to Friday. (Many students in urban schools go home during the lunch break since most Irish schools do not have canteen facilities. Students in such schools normally finish at around 4pm each day. In rural areas and in some urban schools also, the need for transportation to and from school ensures that students remain on the school premises during the lunch break. Consequently, classes will normally finish at 3.15 or 3.30 p.m.)10
Class periods of instruction in second-level schools vary between 35 minutes and 55 minutes, most schools favouring a combination of 35/40 and 45 minutes. Most schools operate a 40-period (40-lesson) week though some have 45 periods. The length of class periods is at the discretion of the school authorities and in practice it is the school headteacher or principal who decides, usually in consultation with the teachers.10