Schools
EDEX places students in schools throughout Ireland.
Over our 30 years in Education we have built up relationships with staff in these schools and also with local host families, clubs and other local supports. We are continuously expanding our list of schools to give students the best chance of having an Irish experience without having too many speakers from their own country.
These days that is a challenge but we do like a challenge. If students are willing to try a new area we can usually overcome this challenge. No matter what school you go to you will have an Irish experience and start making memories. Students may opt to be placed in public or private day schools and live with a family or in public or private boarding schools
YEAR 1 - 3 JUNIOR CERTIFICATE CYCLE
The high school cycle in Ireland consists of 6 years
The school year is divided into 3 terms:
First September – December
Second January to Easter
Third Easter to June
YEAR 1 - 3 JUNIOR CERTIFICATE CYCLE APPROXIMATE AGE RANGE 12-15
In the first 3 years of secondary school students prepare for the Junior Certificate. Students can study 7-10 subjects.
Maths, English, History, Geography and CSPE (politics) are compulsory. Students also study a modern language and usually business studies, art and science. However, there is a wide variety of subjects and these vary from school to school. Students may take exams at higher or lower level. Maths and English also have a foundation level.
Students sit the Junior Certificate at the end of 3rd year but this is not mandatory and we will discuss the options on application. Results of the Junior Certificate are issued in September.
YEAR 4 TRANSITION YEAR
The school year is divided into 3 terms:
First September – December
Second January to Easter
Third Easter to June
YEAR 4 TRANSITION YEAR- APPROXIMATE AGE 15 / 16
This year is intended for personal development of the student. In most schools students study a large variety of topics. This enables them to choose their subjects for the Leaving Cert in a more informed and mature manner. Some subjects will be done in modules for 8-12 weeks, for example Physics may be studied for 12 weeks then Bi-ology and then Chemistry.
Students do at least two weeks work experience. Students are expected to consider an area that they might like to work in, in their future and try to get work in this area. So if a student thinks that they might like to be an accountant then they should approach someone working in this area. The work placement may be done 1 day a week or in a block placement depending on the school.
Usually schools also organise at least one trip away during this year. Very often this is to an adventure centre where students do canoeing, abseiling, horse-riding etc. If a school organises such a trip students are expected to participate. The cost is usually in the region of €200- €300. There may be several other day trips.
Students attending Transition Year can expect all of the extras to cost about €400-€800, this may be more in private schools.
YEAR 5 / 6
The school year is divided into 3 terms:
First September – December
Second January to Easter
Third Easter to June
YEAR 5 / 6 - SENIOR LEAVING CERT CYCLE
The final two years in school are spent preparing for a state exam called the Leaving Certificate. Students will study Maths and English plus 4-5 other subjects at higher or ordinary level.The subjects available during Senior Cycle are Maths, Applied Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, languages, Economics, Business Organisation, Accounting, Home Economics, Art , Building Construction, Technical Drawing, Music , Agricultural Studies, Engineering, Physics & Chemistry.
NOT ALL SUBJECTS ARE OFFERED IN EVERY SCHOOL.
Usually, foreign students that wish to sit the Leaving Certificate must do at least two subjects at higher level. They must also pass the 4 other subjects for validation in their own country. The results of the Leaving Cert are issued in August.
At EDEX we also provide a number of primary placements for students aged between 10-12. These are limited as we place these students in certain areas where we have additional supports that are required for such young students. We also work in Ireland’s only private primary boarding school.
