Insights into the process of developing policy and guidance for Transition Year programmes
Paul Behan and Michelle Geraghty
Transition Year (TY) is an optional standalone programme in the senior cycle of post-primary education in Ireland. As part of the redevelopment of senior cycle, a revised Transition Year Programme Statement was published by the Department of Education in September 2024, to be introduced into schools in September 2025. In November 2022, the Council of NCCA (National Council for Curriculum and Assessment) approved the convening of a development group, comprised of a range of experts and experienced school practitioners in the area of TY. The role of the development group was primarily to support the Council in developing its advice on a revised TY Programme Statement. This article provides a description of the development of the statement by NCCA and how effective aspects of TY programmes shaped the development of the statement. The Council approved a draft TY Programme Statement which went for an extensive public consultation in the second half of 2023. Insights are presented on how the feedback from the consultation findings informed the final development of the TY Programme Statement. A final reflection is given on some lessons learned from the TY process regarding NCCA practice for the subsequent tranches in the redevelopment of senior cycle. [DOWNLOAD PDF]
