Junior Certificate: This three year programme was introduced in Bridgetown College in September 1989. It replaced the Group Certificate and Intermediate Certificate programmes.
Students enrolling in First Year have usually completed 6th class in a primary school or an equivalent abroad and must be 12 years of age on 1st January of the year following enrolment.
Students study Irish, English, Maths, Science, History, Religious Education, Physical Education, SPHE, CSPE and Digital Literacy together, with three of the following subjects: Geography, French, Visual Art, Graphics, Music, Wood Technology, Engineering, Applied Technology, Home Economics, and Business Studies.
To cater for the needs and talents of individual students, Irish, English and Maths may be studied at two different levels: Higher Level (A: Árd) or Ordinary Level (G: Gnáth). Only students with an exemption recognised by the Department of Education and Skills can be excused from the study of Irish. All other subjects are be studied at a common level.
Junior Certificate School Programme (JCSP): The Junior Certificate School Programme is a national programme sponsored by the Department of Education and Skills and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. It is based on the belief that all young people are capable of achieving real success in school, and that they can have a positive experience of education, if the conditions are favourable. The Programme is designed to help young people who have had a difficult experience of school. It provides students with opportunities for success at school and it rewards that success with an official record of achievement, validated by the Department of Education and Skills. Students who follow the JCSP Programme complete the same Junior Certificate examinations as those who are not enrolled on the JCSP programme.
Transition Year: The Transition Year Programme offers pupils a broad educational experience with a view to the attainment of increased maturity, before proceeding to further study and/or vocational preparation. It provides a bridge to help pupils make the transition from a highly-structured environment to one where they will take greater responsibility for their own learning and decision making. Pupils participate in learning strategies which are active and experiential and which help them to develop a range of transferable critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills. The Transition Year Programme also provides an opportunity for students to reflect on and develop an awareness of the value of education and training in terms of careers and life-long learning.
Leaving Certificate: This is a two year programme and the entry requirement is a good standard of achievement in the Junior Certificate examination or an equivalent examination.
Most students take seven subjects for examination purposes: Irish, English and Maths in addition to four optional subjects from the following list: Accounting, Agricultural Science, Art, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Construction Studies, Design and Communication Graphics, Engineering, French, Geography, History, Home Economics, Music, Physics and Physical Education. These subjects are grouped in Teaching Blocks (TBs) and selections are made in consultation with teachers. All subjects may be studied at Higher Level (A: Árd) or Ordinary Level (G: Gnáth). Non-examination subjects include Religious Education, Physical Education (PE) and Career Guidance.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP): This is an optional programme which may be pursued by Leaving Certificate students who are studying specified Leaving Certificate subject combinations. Students study computer applications and they complete two Link Modules: Preparation for the World of Work and Enterprise Education.
There is an attractive scale of extra 3rd level entry points for those who achieve a pass, merit or distinction in the LCVP examination.
Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA): This is an alternative Leaving Certificate programme developed by the Department of Education and Skills which emphasises personal development and transferable skills. It is more practically based than the traditional Leaving Cert and is designed to meet the needs of students who would have difficulty with the traditional programme. Class size is restricted to 24 and students who apply for a place are interviewed during the last term of their Junior Certificate Programme.
Students study a variety of subjects including English and Communication, Mathematical Applications, Information Technology, Vocational Preparation and Guidance, Music, Leisure & Recreation, Social Education, Religious Education, Communicative Irish and a modern language. Students also study two vocational subjects that reflect their interests. Currently we offer Hotel Catering and Tourism, Engineering and Childcare. Progress is assessed on an on-going basis and credits are awarded for satisfactory completion of modules. Students complete four work experience placements and in this case their performance is assessed by employers and teachers.