St. Mary's Secondary School
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Junior Cycle

Junior Cycle

Junior Cycle Curriculum

A broad and balanced education for students at St. Mary’s Secondary School.

St. Mary’s Secondary School offers a wide and balanced curriculum for Junior Cycle students. As a school, we continually evaluate the subject options we offer to maximise the learning opportunities for the students in our care.

Our current curriculum provision includes core subjects, wellbeing, language options and additional subject choices.

Wellbeing

  • SPHE
  • CSPE
  • Physical Education
  • Guidance
  • Digital Literacy

Junior Cycle Options

Modern Foreign Language

Students choose one of the following languages to study:

French or German

Additional Subject Choices

Students choose an additional three subjects from the following:

Classroom Based Assessments

Classroom Based Assessments provide students with opportunities to demonstrate their learning and skills in ways not possible in a pen and paper examination.

CBAs are undertaken during normal class time and are reported on the JCPA using descriptors such as Exceptional, Above Expectations, In Line with Expectations and Yet to Meet Expectations.

Other Areas of Learning

Students engage with a range of learning experiences as part of Junior Cycle. These may include student council, clubs and societies, sporting activities, musical performances, debating, science fairs and other school activities.

Student Wellbeing

Student wellbeing is of central importance to educational success and overall happiness. Wellbeing is a core part of the Junior Cycle experience and includes Physical Education, CSPE, SPHE, Relationship and Sexuality Education and Guidance.

For further information on Junior Cycle subjects, syllabi and specifications, visit the NCCA Curriculum Online website.

28-Jun-2026
As our Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle students complete their State examinations, everyone at St. Mary's Secondary School would like to congratulate them on reaching this important milestone.
23-Jun-2026
Congratulations to Grace Cunnane, who has been placed second in the International Young Reporters for the Environment
© 2026 St. Mary's Secondary School