What is the JCSP?

The Junior Certificate School Programme (JCSP) is a national programme under the auspices of Oide, a Department of Education Support Service. Currently, the programme is offered in 220 schools throughout the country. JCSP operates within the Junior Cycle curriculum. It follows the curriculum framework set out for the Junior Cycle.

It is an intervention into the Junior Cycle and not an alternative to it. It helps to make the curriculum accessible and relevant to young people.

The JCSP approach involves:

• analysing students’ strengths and weaknesses 

• planning programmes of work which both build on students’ strengths

• engaging in dialogue with young people 

The content of the courses which JCSP students follow emphasise skills, knowledge and concepts selected from Junior Cycle subject syllabi and subject specifications which best explore the aptitudes and abilities of young peoples’ key skills, knowledge and concepts which are essential for students’ progress in all areas of the curriculum.

The Programme is designed to ensure that these young people can benefit from their time in school and enjoy the experience of improvement and success. It does this by providing a curriculum framework which will assist our school and teachers in adopting a student-centred approach.