Aviation, boxing, car maintenance, Chinese, coding, consentAgreement with full knowledge. and friendship workshops, crime scene investigation, folklore, journalism, musical theatre, photography, podcasting, politics. All in a school week for Irish teenagers!

Irish secondary school education is divided into two cycles. The three-year junior cycle ends with a Junior Certificate - roughly equivalent to GSCEs.¹ The two-year senior cycle parallels the A-Levels or the International BaccalaureateAn internationally recognised academic programme for that aims to develop students' knowledge, critical thinking skills, and global citizenship..

But there is a third, optional component. Since 1994, almost all schools in the country have offered a transition year (TY), which 70% of students take up.² 

This gives pupils a gap from formal education - although they still study some subjects for two hours a week. Instead, they can try various courses and activities. There is one restriction: all students have to try all activities.

The TY was life-changing for actor Paul Mescal. He bagged his first lead role in a school musical - something he only tried because he had to.

Perhaps all countries should adopt the TY. It could unleash a new creativity in education.

Learning by doing has often had big results. Piano prodigyA child with exceptional skill or talent. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart learnt by performing on tour. The great scientist Michael Faraday taught himself by reading.

The Irish system gives students more of a chance to learn for themselves.

Yet this might not be for everyone. Some people thrive in routine. Others might want to continue studying the subjects they enjoy.

It can be expensive. For the TY, parents pay between €100 (£83) and €900 (£750) in registration fees.³ Trips and certain courses cost more still. Introducing it might divide those who can afford it from those who cannot.

Should all schools introduce it?

Yes: American educator John Dewey wrote: "Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." Schooling should not be a tired old system of exams. It needs to touch all of human experience.

No: What works in Ireland - a small, wealthy country with strong social cohesion - might not work equally well elsewhere. And for students keen to move on, an extra year at school might seem like wasted time.

Or... Let today's children themselves decide. Everyone learns in different ways, and everyone knows their preferred learning styles. Today's 14-year-olds should vote on whether to bring the TY in.

Consent - Agreement with full knowledge.

International Baccalaureate - An internationally recognised academic programme for that aims to develop students' knowledge, critical thinking skills, and global citizenship.

Prodigy - A child with exceptional skill or talent.