The JCSP programme in Thomond Community College is an intervention within the Junior Certificate Programme. It provides a curriculum framework which assists the school and individual teachers in adopting a student-centred approach to the Junior Certificate. The Junior Certificate School Programme is based on the concept that all young people are capable of real success and can have a positive school experience. The Junior Certificate School Programme has been designed to ensure that young people can benefit from their time in school and enjoy the experience of improvement and success. The emphasis on active learning and the development of basic skills, particularly literacy and numeracy skills, is highlighted in the programme.
Thomond Community College has a JCSP Co-ordinator and a full-time JCSP Librarian to implement the programme.
What do students gain from being in the JCSP Programme?
Students are provided with the opportunity to become owners of their own learning by discussing statements and meeting agreed targets. Through engagement with this learning process, students begin to succeed and continue to build on this success. Throughout their time in the programme, the JCSP team seeks out opportunities to reward and praise students and give them helpful feedback on their performance. Students also have the opportunity to participate in initiatives/trips/events to support their learning. In addition, the JCSP team tries to make positive contact with the students’ families. When the students complete their Junior Cycle examinations, they also get a Final Profiling certificate from the Department of Education and Skills containing a listing of all they have achieved while engaged with the Programme. This JCSP Celebration Day is held annually in May for all our 3rd Year Students.
(Picture of students receiving their Final Profile in May last year.)
The JCSP programme is an intervention within the Junior Certificate Programme. It provides a curriculum framework which assists the school and individual teachers in adopting a student-centred approach to the Junior Certificate. The Junior Certificate School Programme is based on the concept that all young people are capable of real success and can have a positive experience at school. The Junior Certificate School Programme has been designed to ensure that young people can benefit from their time in school and enjoy the experience of improvement and success. The emphasis on active learning and developing basic skills in the programme is highlighted.