This document outlines an agenda and discussion points for planning a new Junior Cycle programme. The agenda includes presentations from schools on their current programmes, discussions on curriculum priorities and reaching agreement, and looking at short-term and long-term objectives. Key considerations for curriculum planning that are noted include the students, Junior Cycle principles, Statements of Learning, key skills, vision/mission/ethos, and practical resources. Short courses are discussed as a potential part of the new programme to address various goals. Next steps identified include reviewing the current first year programme, getting more teachers involved, agreeing on subject options, and communicating positively with stakeholders.

1. Planning a new Junior Cycle programme
Annette Honan

2. Agenda
10.30 - 11.30 What's happening in schools ?
Short presentations from 2 schools and discussion
11.30 - 1.00 - Curriculum planning - Where do we start?
What are the priorities?
How can we reach agreement?
How can we put our ethos into practice through
our new JC programme?
1.00 - 2.00 - LUNCH
2.00 - 300 - Curriculum planning - looking at short term and long
term objectives
3.00 - 3.30 - News and Updates -
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3. Junior cycle planning

4. Consider….
• As you plan a new Junior Cycle programme for
your students what are your key
considerations?
4

5. Reviewing you list….
Note the factors that should and the factors that
do influence curriculum planning
5

6. The students
JC principles
Statements of Learning
Key Skills
Vision, mission and
ethos
Practical
considerations
and resources
6

7. Teaching at its core is a
moral profession.
Scratch a good teacher
and you will find a
moral purpose.
Michael Fullan

8. The Principles for J.C. Education
• Read each one and then consider which ones
feature most prominently in your current JC
programme.
• Number them 1,2, 3 in order
• Then Pair and Share
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10. 10

11. Reviewing your strengths
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12. 12

13. 13

14. Further questions
•
What are the current strengths in terms of the 24 statements of
learning?
•
How broad should the new curriculum be and what should
determine it?
•
•
What steps are required to improve the breadth and balance at
junior cycle level?
•
What are the resource implications?
•
What are the implications for senior cycle?
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15. To sum up so far…
Shared
vision &
purpose
Appoint a
planning
team
Consult
Identify the
influences
on decision
making
Review
strengths
and gaps in
current JC
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16. Building blocks for a new JC curriculum

17. In small groups
• First, write down the reasons why your school
might consider including short courses in a
new JC programme
• Then share your responses and record your
top 3 reasons.

18. Short courses – what purpose?
To
• Address a Statement of Learning
• Open up a new area of learning of interest
• Strengthen or deepen learning in areas associated
with existing subjects
• Build particular skills and capacities of students
• Frame learning in specific activities, initiatives and
events organised by the school.
• Provide learning in an area that is linked to a
schools’ particular ethos or tradition
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20. Putting Ethos into Action through JC programme planning
An example - St Martin’s Secondary School
HTTPS://VIMEO.COM/71429479

21. Individual & group work
1. Identify your immediate next steps in regard
to JC planning
2. What are the changes you will need to make
in order to be ready for Sept 2014?

22. 2014 to dos…
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Review your 1st yr programme against the Statements of Learning
Support early adopters – English teachers
Look down the line – Gaeilge, Science, Business teachers need to
get involved
Involve all the staff via key skills
Agree your max 8/9/10 subjects? How will that influence timetable
changes for Sept 2014
Agree how to provide for CSPE and SPHE
Use the language of the Framework and communicate a positive
message to parents and students (e.g. via notice boards)
Join up the dots where possible – SSE and JC planning
Provide reassurance and promote positivity

24. •
•
•
•
Today was helpful because ….
I now plan to…
I am still left with this question…
Suggestions for further meetings/online
collaboration…
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25. A final thought …
‘Ideas without moral purpose are a dime a dozen. Moral
purpose without ideas means being all dressed up and
nowhere to go. Power without ideas or moral purpose is
deadly. Moral purpose and ideas without power means
the train never leaves the station…
Need for a fusion of intellectual, political and spiritual
purposes…. Those engaged in educational reform are
those engaged in societal development; those engaged in
societal development are those engaged in the evolution
of virtue.’
M. Fullan, Change Forces, The Sequel
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26. Website
www.ncca/juniorcycle.ie