Secondary Education (Children aged 12-19 years old)
Ask other parents about the secondary schools near you
Secondary School
At age 12 or 13 most children attend secondary school. Students must attend school every day and are required to stay in school until they are 16 years of age. The school day is usually from 8.45 am to 3.30 or 4 pm. Secondary school takes six school years to complete. The school year runs from approximately 1 September to 30 May. To enroll your child, phone the school principal and arrange a time to meet them. There are both free and fee paying secondary schools available.
Exams:
Junior Certificate
A three-year programme from first to third year, which ends with the Junior Certificate state exam.
Leaving Certificate
Then from fourth to sixth year, there is a two or three-year programme ending with the Leaving Certificate state exam.
Transition year is in fourth year. In most schools, students can choose whether to skip this year and go straight into fifth year. Transition year is designed to smooth the move from the more dependent format of the junior cycle to the more independent self-directed cycle of the senior phase.
Bullying
Bullying means when someone threatens to hurt someone or frighten them, especially someone smaller or weaker. It is a repeated verbal, psychological or physical aggression done by one or more persons against others.
Bullying does sometimes happen in schools or on the way to schools. If your son or daughter is being bullied do not confront the other child’s parents. Try to resolve the problem by talking to the class teacher. Stay calm, explain to the child that they are not at fault and it is a problem that can be solved.
Signs of bullying If your child is being bullied you may notice:
Rights and responsibilities regarding children
Children must take part in education
Attendance
Children must attend school every day. Parents are responsible for telling the school why their child is absent from school – because of illness or other exceptional circumstances. You can call into the school, phone them or write a letter, a typical letter might be like this:
Uniforms
Most schools in Limerick have uniforms – one for every day wear and one for sports. The school will explain where you can buy the uniforms. Some secondhand shops often have uniforms in stock. If you have a problem with your son or daughter wearing the uniform for cultural reasons, you should discuss this with the school principal.
Homework
All pupils are expected to do homework. If they cannot get to complete it, send a note to the teacher explaining why. The class teacher decides how much homework to give the pupil. In secondary schools, homework takes around two to three hours a day. Many schools have after-school study sessions which you pay for. Your school may also have homework support services. Help your child to study by having a quiet designated space and time to do their homework.
Books
You will be given a book list when your child starts school. If you cannot afford to pay the full cost of schoolbooks, you should talk to the school principal, who can help you to get the books. Some schools have a book rental scheme.
Parent-teacher meetings
These meetings normally happen once or twice a year. It is very important that parents attend. It is a chance for parents to discuss their child’s progress with each teacher.
For a full list of secondary schools along with contact details visit:
http://www.schooldays.ie/secondary-schools-in-ireland/Limerick-City
Social welfare supports
The HSE has an annual “back-to-school allowance” scheme that helps people who are on social welfare. Application forms are available in all social welfare local offices and online at welfare.ie (pdf). You can also request a form by texting FORM BTSCFA followed by your address to 51909
Ask other parents about the secondary schools near you
Secondary School
At age 12 or 13 most children attend secondary school. Students must attend school every day and are required to stay in school until they are 16 years of age. The school day is usually from 8.45 am to 3.30 or 4 pm. Secondary school takes six school years to complete. The school year runs from approximately 1 September to 30 May. To enroll your child, phone the school principal and arrange a time to meet them. There are both free and fee paying secondary schools available.
Exams:
Junior Certificate
A three-year programme from first to third year, which ends with the Junior Certificate state exam.
Leaving Certificate
Then from fourth to sixth year, there is a two or three-year programme ending with the Leaving Certificate state exam.
Transition year is in fourth year. In most schools, students can choose whether to skip this year and go straight into fifth year. Transition year is designed to smooth the move from the more dependent format of the junior cycle to the more independent self-directed cycle of the senior phase.
Bullying
Bullying means when someone threatens to hurt someone or frighten them, especially someone smaller or weaker. It is a repeated verbal, psychological or physical aggression done by one or more persons against others.
Bullying does sometimes happen in schools or on the way to schools. If your son or daughter is being bullied do not confront the other child’s parents. Try to resolve the problem by talking to the class teacher. Stay calm, explain to the child that they are not at fault and it is a problem that can be solved.
Signs of bullying If your child is being bullied you may notice:
- they do not want to go to school or refuse to go;
- they refuse to say what is troubling them;
- their mood or behaviour changes; or
- they ask for extra money or steal money.
Rights and responsibilities regarding children
Children must take part in education
Attendance
Children must attend school every day. Parents are responsible for telling the school why their child is absent from school – because of illness or other exceptional circumstances. You can call into the school, phone them or write a letter, a typical letter might be like this:
Uniforms
Most schools in Limerick have uniforms – one for every day wear and one for sports. The school will explain where you can buy the uniforms. Some secondhand shops often have uniforms in stock. If you have a problem with your son or daughter wearing the uniform for cultural reasons, you should discuss this with the school principal.
Homework
All pupils are expected to do homework. If they cannot get to complete it, send a note to the teacher explaining why. The class teacher decides how much homework to give the pupil. In secondary schools, homework takes around two to three hours a day. Many schools have after-school study sessions which you pay for. Your school may also have homework support services. Help your child to study by having a quiet designated space and time to do their homework.
Books
You will be given a book list when your child starts school. If you cannot afford to pay the full cost of schoolbooks, you should talk to the school principal, who can help you to get the books. Some schools have a book rental scheme.
Parent-teacher meetings
These meetings normally happen once or twice a year. It is very important that parents attend. It is a chance for parents to discuss their child’s progress with each teacher.
For a full list of secondary schools along with contact details visit:
http://www.schooldays.ie/secondary-schools-in-ireland/Limerick-City
Social welfare supports
The HSE has an annual “back-to-school allowance” scheme that helps people who are on social welfare. Application forms are available in all social welfare local offices and online at welfare.ie (pdf). You can also request a form by texting FORM BTSCFA followed by your address to 51909