Education

Junior Cycle Cirriculum

  • In a pupil's first year, he or she is given a "taster" of each of the subjects on offer.
  • The following subjects are available at Junior Cycle.
    • Gaeilge
    • English
    • Maths
    • History
    • Geography
    • Science
    • French
    • German
    • Metalwork
    • Woodwork
    • Tech. Graphics
    • Business Studies
    • Art, Craft & Design
    • Music
    • CSPE
    • SPHE
    • Religious Education
    • Physical Education

Senior Cycle Cirriculum

  • Pupils entering senior cycle must follow either the Transition Year programme or the Leaving Cert Applied Programme.
  • The Transition Year programme aims to promote maturity in pupils and enable them to cope better with the challenges of the Leaving Cert.
  • The Leaving Cert Applied programme provides a meaningful alternative Leaving Cert programme for those who do not want to pursue the academic route.
  • At Senior Cycle, the following additional subjects are available in place of:
    • Science
    • Business Studies
    • Woodwork
    • Metalwork
    • Physics
    • Accounting
    • Construction Studies
    • Engineering
    • Chemistry
    • Business
    • Biology
  • Religious Education and Physical Education are also part of the curriculum

Leaving Certificate Applied

  • The Leaving Certificate Applied as its name implies provides a much more "hands on" Leaving Certificate for students who do not wish to take the traditional route. This programme provides a meaningful alternative to those who do not want to pursue an academic career. It appeals to students because it provides them with the opportunity of continuous assessment with an emphasis on teamwork, participation, personal responsibility and social skills.
  • During the two-year course, students have the opportunity to participate in four different experiences. This ensures that they really do know which career they would like to pursue at the end of their school years. Subjects such as educational and social environment of the school. The Guidance Counsellor Remedial and Special needs teachers, together with the school Chaplain, provide additional support.
  • Vocational Preparation and Social Education prepare students for the outside world. Information Technology, Hotel catering and Tourism, Engineering, Office Administration and Customer Care are practically based modules with an emphasis on task/project work, while traditional subjects such as English, Maths and languages continue to be taught.
  • The Leaving Cert Applied programme allows for the recognition of talents and skills, which might not otherwise come to light in a school situation. It provides students with the opportunity to work together in a mature and responsible manner while giving scope to individuality and initiative. Ballincollig Community School has provided the Leaving Cert Applied Programme with great success since 1998. This course has undoubtedly been very beneficial for our students, providing them with access to careers and further education, which might not otherwise have been considered

Transition Year

  • Transition Year has been part of Ballincollig Community School for 14 years and each year it evolves in new and different ways. TY is compulsory in BCS.
  • Well over two thirds of secondary schools in the country offer TY and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) say that TY is intended to allow students time and space to mature and to explore their talents without the pressure of exams.
  • Transition Year gives students a more rounded education and an additional edge in the Leaving Certificate and is possibly the first real experience of the wider world.
  • There are many benefits of TY, namely it promotes:
    • Personal development -Maturity in outlook and behaviour
    • Social development -Social awareness
    • Educational development -Academic work
    • Vocational development -Work experience
  • Activities in which students partake include:
    • Work Experience
    • Retreats
    • Outdoor Pursuits
    • School visits to and from Our Lady of Good Counsel School
    • Eurofoot
    • School Tour
    • Dance
    • Tennis
    • Self Defence (Cert)
    • Swimming
    • Rugby
    • Soccer
    • First-Aid (Cert)
    • Pre-driving
    • Golf
    • Horse Riding
    • Self Presentation (Cert)
    • ECDL (Cert)
    • Photography
    • Food Craft
    • Film Studies

Adult Education

  • Adult Education has been part of Ballincollig Community School life since its inception. Over the years the link with community has been the strength of our department. The mission statement reads "The Adult Education Department of Ballincollig Community School is committed to providing a diverse range of quality classes as part of our programme".
  • Over the years many staff members have played a pivotal role in developing Adult Education. In recent years an increase in awareness of the importance of Adult Education has resulted in the evolution of a new government policy towards Adult Education and has helped continue the expansion of our programme.
  • Today the school provides in excess of 70 courses, employs 60 tutors over four nights, and caters for 1,100 students Monday to Thursday. Courses range from sporting and recreational, Arts and Crafts, Complimentary Health, Languages, Information Technology, Social and Personal Development, Business Studies, Music and Cookery.
  • The term is divided into two terms, September to December and January to May.
  • For more information, contact adultEd@balcs, or phone (021) 4875401.
 
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