Should all schools introduce it? Many Irish schools offer teenagers a year away from study between exams. Some education experts think the rest of the world should take note.
Revolutionary! A gap year after GCSEs
Should all schools introduce it? Many Irish schools offer teenagers a year away from study between exams. Some education experts think the rest of the world should take note.
Irish secondary school education is divided into two cycles. The three-year junior cycle ends with a Junior Certificate - roughly equivalent to GSCEs. The two-year senior cycle parallels the A-Levels.
Since 1994, almost all schools in the country have offered a transition year (TY) in between the junior and senior cycles, which 70% of students choose to take up.
This gives pupils a gap from formal educationAn organised and regulated system of education, which follows a curriculum and generally includes exams. and the chance to try various courses and activities. The only 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.
Learning by doing has often had big results. Piano prodigyA child with exceptional skill or talent. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart learnt by performing on tour and the great scientist Michael Faraday was self taught.
The Irish system gives students more of a chance to learn for themselves but might not suit everyone.
Some people might just want to continue studying the subjects they enjoy.
Should all schools introduce it?
Yes! Schooling should not be a tired old system of exams. It needs to touch all of human experience.
No! For students keen to move on, an extra year at school might seem like wasted time.
Formal Education - An organised and regulated system of education, which follows a curriculum and generally includes exams.
Prodigy - A child with exceptional skill or talent.
Revolutionary! A gap year after GCSEs

Glossary
Formal Education - An organised and regulated system of education, which follows a curriculum and generally includes exams.
Prodigy - A child with exceptional skill or talent.