Junior Cycle

Curriculum

Junior Cycle caters for students in the first three years of their post-primary education.
The junior cycle was introduced on a phased basis between September 2014 and September 2021. It features revised subjects and short courses, a focus on key skills, and new approaches to assessment and reporting. Schools have more freedom to design junior cycle programmes that meet the learning needs of all students. For students, the junior cycle curriculum available in their schools is a mix of subjects and short courses as well as other learning experiences. In addition to classroom-based assessments, students complete state examinations at the end of their three year junior cycle and receive a Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement.

Classroom-based assessments

During second and third year, students complete a number of Classroom-Based Assessments. In addition to classroom-based assessments, students complete state examinations at the end of their three year junior cycle and receive a Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement.

For a small group of students with special educational needs, priority learning units (PLUs) are provided. These components enable the statements of learning and key skills to become a reality for these students throughout their three-year junior cycle.

Junior Cycle

In this section of the website you will find the subject and short course specifications and supporting documentation, including assessment guidelines, examples of student work and sample assessment items.

From 2014, the junior cycle operated in schools alongside the existing Junior Certificate. From 2022, all junior cycle subjects and short courses have been revised and the Junior Certificate has been phased out. All links to curriculum documents for the previous junior certificate programme can be found in the subject archives on www.ncca.ie.