In junior cycle post-primary education, classes may be mixed ability; streamed - students are grouped on the basis of overall performance; or organised in sets - where students are taught in ability groups for specific subjects dependent on their ability in that particular subject.38
The junior cycle (from age 12 to 15) is of three years' duration in all schools. Progression is usually automatic and only in exceptional circumstances do students repeat a year. Assessment during the three years of the junior cycle is the responsibility of teachers who use their own or standardised tests. Formal tests are generally taken quite frequently over the course of the junior cycle. The Junior Certificate examination is taken at the end of the junior cycle, which corresponds with the end of the compulsory phase of education, at the age of 15. Students remaining in education after this time usually progress automatically from the junior cycle to the senior cycle in the same school.36
The maximum government-recommended class size has been 30 since 1 September 1999.9 For practical subjects, the maximum recommended class size is 24.36
As the curriculum in junior cycle education is subject-centred, the vast majority of teachers in post-primary schools are subject specialists. Teachers usually hold a Bachelor degree in the specialist subject. Teachers in voluntary secondary schools also complete a one-year Higher Diploma in Education, but this is not a requirement for teachers in vocational schools, community schools and comprehensive schools. Pre-service training and subsequent in-career development for teachers are usually focused on developing and enhancing expertise in the teaching of particular subjects. Teachers are employed by the school but are classed as public servants.36
Generally, teachers in the junior cycle stay with their subject and classes for these first three years of second-level education. Where changes of teachers occur it is usually due to timetable reasons.36