Transition Year

The Transition Year Programme is a unique one year programme that promotes the personal, social, vocational and educational development of students and prepares them for their role as autonomous, participative and responsible members of society (Transition Year Guidelines, 1994, Department of Education). TY provides a bridge to enable students to make the transition from the more dependent type of learning associated with Junior Cycle to the more independent learning environment associated with Senior Cycle. The Transition Year programme helps to develop key skills for the 21st century such as the three Ts: thinking, teamwork and technology.

Research has also shown that students who complete TY achieve, on average, higher points in the Leaving Certificate exam; this is perhaps due to the development of their general study skills as well as the skills required for each individual subject.

Is Transition Year available to all students in Crana College?

In third year students apply for a limited number of places and a selection procedure is used to identify the most suitable students. If there is oversubscription interviews will take place and a lottery system will be used, if deemed necessary.

What subjects are studied?

As part of the Transition Year programme in Crana College students study a selection of the following modules:

Irish Studies                                  Creative Writing

Maths                                             Creative Fabrication

Business & Enterprise                 Home Economics

Geography                                     History

Woodwork                                     Arts & Craft

PE                                                   Careers

ICT                                                  Science                                     

Spanish                                          Drama & Performing Arts 

Road Safety                                   Life Skills

How is assessment carried out in TY?

Assessment is a key part of any worthwhile learning programme and emphasis is placed on varied and ongoing assessment.

Transition Year is an opportunity to move beyond the narrow focus of end-of-year, written exams.The Transition Year programme is therefore assessed in a manner of ways which complement the variety of approaches used and may include the following :

• Summative assessment
• Written, practical, oral and aural assessment
• Report of Work Experience
• Projects, portfolios and exhibitions of work
• Pupil diary recording personal progress
• Records of skills and competencies attained.

​TY Coordinator: Ms C. Bradley