An important deadline is fast approaching, the closing date for enrolment to post-primary schools.
With that comes the obligation to choose subjects for the junior cert cycle (first year to third year).
This is an exciting time for sixth class students and their parents/guardians.
Over the last month schools throughout the county have been running fabulous open evenings, giving students and their families the opportunity to hear from teachers and current students about the various subject options.
They were invited to see the facilities on offer, to learn of sport, music and other extra-curricular opportunities, and to hear about pastoral care and learning support programmes.
By now most people have decided their number one choice of school, hopefully without too much parent-child tension.
But now, unless the preferred school offers a taster programme, the decision must be made about what subjects to choose.
This can be a confusing time for students as they are required to make decisions about subjects they may have had no previous exposure to, which can sometimes lead to dismissing the potential of these subjects.
Similarly for parents, the easiest option is often to promote subjects they themselves are familiar with or can sometimes discourage subjects perceived to be ‘less academic’.
The Junior Cycle has changed so much in recent years, with the introduction of a variety of new short courses, and the addition of Classroom Based Assessments (CBA).
What remains the same however is that all post-primary school require students to take the core subjects Irish (unless exempted), English, maths and history.
With wellbeing central to the Junior Cycle programme subjects such as SPHE, CSPE and PE are also compulsory.
Many schools include religion, science, geography and a third language such as Spanish, French, German or Italian on their compulsory list.
All schools (other than those that offer tasters) offer a list of other options from which three or four must be chosen.
These include subjects such as business, home economics, art, music, technology, graphics, wood technology and engineering,
My advice regarding career guidance questions is always the same – the answer is there within you. Choosing subjects for post-primary school is no different.
At this stage it is the parents/guardians who know their children so well. Think back to the toys they loved to play with when they were small.
Was it Lego? A toy kitchen? A doctor set? A microphone or musical instrument? A microscope? A toolbox? A tractor or digger?
Or did they spend their days reading books to their teddies, or endlessly doodling with crayons and markers?
Think about how they like to spend their spare time – outdoors in all kinds of weather or tucked away warmly inside? What is it that makes them light up?
Answering those questions will point you in the direction of the joy subject or subjects specific to your child.
If science is not compulsory it deserves serious consideration. It allows participation in highly worthwhile events such as Sci Fest and BT Young Scientist, and Junior Cycle science paves the way to a choice of four Leaving Cert subjects – biology, chemistry, physics and agricultural science.
While Leaving Cert probably seems forever away at this stage it is important to note that most college courses in the fields of medicine, veterinary, dentistry, nursing, allied health (radiography, physiotherapy, human nutrition/ dietician, optometry, pharmacy, medical laboratory, podiatry, veterinary nursing etc.), engineering, and science courses require at least one laboratory science subject.
So while no-one expects a 12 year-old to know what they want to do when they leave school, choosing science at this stage might well keep options open for the future.
Deciding whether to choose a third language or not also requires careful consideration. There was a time when taking French, German or Spanish, was compulsory, but that is no longer the case.
Sixth class students might be reluctant to opt for a third language because they haven’t done it in primary school.
As of now, and certainly things might have changed by the time their Leaving Cert year comes along, a third language is required for entry into most courses at National University of Ireland (NUI) colleges (University College Cork (UCC), University of Galway, University College Dublin (UCD), NUI Maynooth) and at Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI).
There are some exceptions such as nursing at all colleges, engineering and all science courses at NUI Maynooth, and engineering and agricultural science courses at UCD.
Other colleges have it as a requirement for certain courses that have a large language component.
Entry to the cadetships in the Defence Forces requires a third language. NCAD require a third language or art.
However, it is important to note that Trinity College, University of Limerick, Dublin City University (DCU), South East Technological University (SETU), Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), Atlantic Technological University (ATU) or Munster Technological University (MTU) do not require a third language unless it is a specific course requirement, nor is it a requirement for the Garda college, Apprenticeships or most Post Leaving Cert (PLC) Courses.
Looking ahead, business is another subject that can branch out into three Leaving Cert subjects: business studies, economics or accountancy.
While many students opt for hands-on subjects such as home economics, students and their parents are sometimes reluctant to consider the suite of technology subjects: graphics, engineering, wood technology, and applied technology.
With the latter three the final written exam in third year accounts for only 30%, while 70% goes to project work. Again these subjects can lead to Leaving Cert subjects with a large element of project work such as DCG, engineering, construction studies, computer science and technology.
So, a lot to think about! My advice is to think about interests and aptitudes first, then think about balancing those with keeping future options open. I hope you enjoy the decision making process.
A few useful links to help you along the way:
And remember to check in with your child’s current school and potential future school with any queries you may have.
I hope you found this article to be of interest. If you did please follow me on Instagram for further updates https://www.instagram.com/goldstarcareers/
Gold Star Careers offers one-to-one or small group career advice, in-person or online, to people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. See www.goldstarcareers.ie for more information.
