By 2nd year, your child will have picked their Junior Certificate subjects from any options that may have been available. English, Irish & Maths are currently offered at three levels – higher, ordinary & foundation.

Most other subjects are offered at Higher or Ordinary level, but some are offered at a Common level.

At this stage students continue to develop a broad awareness of general career options. Here are some questions that might help with subject choice at Junior Cycle level:

• Does your child enjoy this subject? Find it interesting and engaging?
• What level of competency is indicated at this subject? Indicators are exam and project results, school reports and teacher feedback, entrance exams, aptitude tests
• What careers are associated with the subject? All subjects at Junior Cert will include some level of employability skills – including Working with Others, Communication skills, Working with New Technologies and Time Management
• Is the subject a specific entry requirement into any general career area or college course? E.g. All Third Level Engineering courses have specific Maths entry requirements. Many require Maths at the Higher level. If your child has expressed an interest in a specific career that requires Maths for instance, you can help by being supportive and encouraging, monitoring their progress and keeping dialogue open about the examination level that’s most appropriate for them. Keep informed about all the options available to them. If Higher Level Maths is not right for them at Junior Cycle, there are always other routes into their chosen career.
• If your child is wondering about subject levels for Junior Cycle, you will find information on college courses with specific subject requirements at http://www.qualifax.ie.

There are also plenty of subject and career specific websites. You will find lots more information and links throughout this site (CareersPortal.ie) but here are just a few:

How can I help?

Keep the communication channels open and stay up to date with school events and programmes. If possible, attend schools information sessions on options at Senior Cycle, Transition Year programmes, subject options & choices, talks, seminars and workshops for parents.

Establish and/or maintain contact with the school Guidance Counsellor and the school by attending parent teacher meetings and information sessions and by keeping an eye on all correspondence and communication from the school. Get to know the key websites for quality information. Avoid taking on the burden of too much information.