Transition Year (TY) is an invaluable optional programme offered before students begin Senior Cycle. It provides a unique opportunity to step beyond the traditional classroom experience and focus on personal growth, practical learning, and new challenges.
At Gortnor Abbey, our Transition Year programme is carefully designed to support students’ personal, social, educational, spiritual, and vocational development. Due to its popularity, we currently offer three Transition Year classes each year.
Our programme encourages students to become more independent learners, build confidence, discover new interests, and prepare for the academic demands of the Leaving Certificate while enjoying experiences that are simply not possible within a traditional curriculum.
What Makes TY Special
Students gain valuable insight into the workplace, helping them explore future career interests and develop practical skills.
Drama, music, photography, public speaking, enterprise, and creative workshops encourage students to express themselves and discover new talents.
Field trips, tours, retreats, and workshops bring learning to life beyond the classroom.
Students develop confidence, communication, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving through practical experiences.
Students experience entrepreneurship by planning, managing, and operating their own business projects.
TY provides the confidence, maturity, and independence needed for a successful transition into Leaving Certificate studies.
Our Transition Year programme has been recognised for its quality, breadth, and positive impact on student development. The school’s Whole School Evaluation highlighted the programme as well established and praised the dedication of staff, the variety of subjects offered, and the opportunities created through the skills, knowledge, and interests of our teachers.
Our Transition Year Programme
The Transition Year curriculum is designed in accordance with the Department of Education’s Transition Year Programme Guidelines and is reviewed regularly to meet the needs and interests of our students.
Students continue to study core subjects including Religious Education, Irish, English, Mathematics, Physical Education, and modern languages, while also exploring a broad range of optional modules that may include:
Alongside classroom learning, students participate in work experience, mini-company projects, drama, workshops, educational visits, retreats, interviews, and a variety of enrichment activities that make each Transition Year a unique and memorable experience.
