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Junior Cycle

Junior Cycle at Enfield Community College

Overview

At Enfield Community College, the Junior Cycle (1st–3rd Year) provides students with a broad and balanced education that encourages curiosity, creativity, and confidence.
Our aim is to help every student reach their full potential — academically, personally, and socially — within a caring and inclusive school community.

The Junior Cycle focuses on three key areas:

  • Learning – developing knowledge, skills, and understanding across a wide curriculum
  • Wellbeing – supporting students’ physical, emotional, and social development
  • Key Skills – preparing young people for further study, work, and life beyond school

Subjects Offered

At Enfield Community College, students experience a wide and engaging range of subjects designed to support a holistic education.

Exam Subjects

Students normally take 9 subjects for examination at Junior Cycle level.
Core examination subjects include:
  • English
  • Irish
  • Mathematics
  • History
  • Geography
  • Science
  • Modern Foreign Language (Spanish or French)
Students then select from a range of optional exam subjects, which may include:
  • Visual Art
  • Music
  • Home Economics
  • Wood Technology
  • Graphics
  • Engineering
  • Business Studies

Non-Exam Subjects

In addition to the above, all students participate in non-exam subjects that promote personal development and wellbeing:
  • Religious Education
  • Civic, Social & Political Education (CSPE)
  • Social, Personal & Health Education (SPHE)
  • Physical Education (PE)
These subjects play a vital role in supporting students’ moral, social, and physical growth.

Wellbeing

Wellbeing is at the heart of the Junior Cycle and is embedded across school life.
Students receive 400 hours of Wellbeing over the three years through:
  • SPHE and PE
  • CSPE
  • Guidance and wellbeing modules
  • Whole-school activities promoting positive mental health and inclusion
Our Wellbeing programme aims to build resilience, empathy, self-awareness, and a sense of belonging within our school community.

Wellbeing

Assessment at Junior Cycle encourages students to reflect on their learning and develop a deeper understanding of their subjects.
Students complete:
  • Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs) in 2nd and 3rd Year
  • Assessment Tasks worth 10% of the final grade (following the 3rd Year CBA)
  • Final Examinations in June of 3rd Year
Each student receives a Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) which includes:
  • Results from state-certified exams
  • Classroom-Based Assessments
  • Other Areas of Learning (e.g., extra-curricular, leadership, community participation)

Key Skills

The Junior Cycle helps students to develop eight essential skills for learning and life:
  • 1. Managing Myself
  • 2. Staying Well
  • 3. Communicating
  • 4. Being Creative
  • 5. Working with Others
  • 6. Managing Information & Thinking
  • 7. Being Literate
  • 8. Being Numerate
These are woven through every subject and activity, helping students become independent and confident learners.

Supports for Students

We recognise that every learner is unique. Enfield Community College provides a wide range of supports to help students feel valued, confident, and successful.

Learning Support & SEN Provision

Our dedicated Learning Support Team works closely with students who have additional educational needs. Supports may include:
  • Individual and small-group literacy and numeracy support
  • Team-teaching in core subjects
  • Access to assistive technology
  • Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
  • Close collaboration with parents and external support agencies

Guidance & Counselling

The Guidance Counsellor supports students in personal, social, and educational areas. This service includes:
  • One-to-one counselling and wellbeing support
  • Study skills and time management guidance
  • Transition support from primary to post-primary
  • Preparation for choices at Senior Cycle

Pastoral Care & Mentoring

We promote a strong pastoral care system, ensuring every student is known and supported.
  • Each class has a Class Tutor and Wellbeing Co-Ordinator
  • Student mentoring programmes encourage positive relationships between junior and senior students
  • Our Care Team meets regularly to monitor wellbeing and provide early intervention

Extra-Curricular & Co-Curricular Activities

We encourage students to get involved in the wider life of the school, helping them develop teamwork, confidence, and creativit. Opportunities include:
  • Sports teams and athletics clubs
  • Music, drama, and art groups
  • Debating and student council
  • Robotics, science, and enterprise clubs
  • Cultural and charity events
Participation in these activities is celebrated as part of the Other Areas of Learning on the JCPA.

Our Approach to Learning

  • Sports teams and athletics clubs
  • Music, drama, and art groups
  • Debating and student council
  • Robotics, science, and enterprise clubs
  • Cultural and charity events
At Enfield Community College, the Junior Cycle experience is designed to be:
  • Engaging – active, practical, and creative learning
  • Inclusive – valuing the strengths of every student
  • Supportive – with strong wellbeing and pastoral systems
  • Future-focused – building the confidence and skills needed for Senior Cycle and life beyond school

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