Admission Policy for Transition Year
Up until 2013-14, admission to T.Y. was based on an interview and application process. On the basis of this system, the maximum in any given T.Y. was 90, which would have approximated to 40-45% of the total 3rd year group. However, from 2014-15, the policy was altered, to attempt to ensure that anyone who could benefit from T.Y. would be given access to the year, and this is the policy which is currently in place. The reason for the alteration is that T.Y. is a programme that should be open to all who could benefit from participation in the year. As a result, numbers in T.Y. have risen substantially, to 143 students in 2017-18, 137 students in 2018-19 and 96 students in 2019-20.
The process for admission to T.Y. begins at the outset of 3rd year, when each class is addressed by the T.Y. Coordinator, Year Head and Career Guidance Teacher, about the T.Y. programme. In early January, the entire year group have an assembly, where a more detailed account of the programme is given to the students, covering all aspects of the programme. Following this, all students interested are given an Application Form. Those students interested are asked to complete the form and return to the Main Office within a set period. During this period, there is also a presentation for the Parents/Guardians about T.Y., and how it could be a very beneficial option for their son/daughter.
Following this, each application form is scrutinised and following consultation between the students, the parents and the school authorities, places are allocated. The sole criteria are: “will the student benefit from the T.Y. programme on offer in A.C.S.” Places in T.Y. are allocated accordingly in early March.
The Board of Management reserves the right to decide on the numbers entering the programme on an annual basis.
In the event where there are more applicants than places, and it is not possible to accommodate all applicants, a lottery will determine the order in which the places are allocated. The lottery will also determine the order in which the remaining unsuccessful applicants will be placed on a waiting list. Applicants on this list will have priority over any late applicants.
A payment for the programme is agreed by the B.O.M. on an annual basis. This payment is requested to facilitate the wide range of activities in which the students are involved in during the year. Provision of activities and subjects depends on resources and availability, and this is also reviewed annually.