The Irish school system can feel overwhelming for expat parents who are trying to understand the academic year, the curriculum, and the different types of schools you can choose from. This article breaks down everything you need to know, from pre-school and primary education to secondary education and the state exams in Ireland.
Education in Ireland
Ireland has one of the best education systems in the world, as well as an internationally renowned reputation for academic quality. Irish students perform in the top sectors in international studies, such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) PISA Evaluations. Employers, both national and international, also attest to the quality of graduates from the Irish education system.
School is compulsory for children in Ireland from the ages of 6 to 16 or until students have completed three years of post-primary education. The schooling system is made up of early years education or pre-school, primary school, and post-primary school. State-funded schools are available at all levels, unless you choose to send your child to a private school. Education at both primary and post-primary levels is free in state-funded schools. Parents usually have to cover additional costs, such as school books, uniforms, and voluntary contributions.
Most schools in Ireland start the school year at the beginning of September and they finish at the end of May. Within the school year, there are two terms. The autumn term runs from the beginning of the school year to Christmas. The second term is the Spring term that runs from January until the summer holidays. In the middle of both terms, there is a mid-term break (in October and in February), which is usually one week.
Parents can choose from different types of schools, including:
- Religious schools - Catholic, Church of Ireland, Islamic schools, etc.
- Non-denominational and multi-denominational schools – Generally, children in these schools can opt out of religious learning or the school encompasses different beliefs and values.
- Gaelscoileanna - Irish-language schools.
- Special schools - For students with specific needs.
In recent years, Ireland has been promoting a more pluralistic school system that better accommodates diversity, in particular religious diversity, in line with the changing profile of the Irish population. A number of schools in Ireland have started to become multi-denominational, implementing programs to encompass and include different beliefs and values.
The Department of Education and Skills is responsible for education policy in Ireland.
Pre-school in Ireland
Before your child starts in primary school, you can choose to send him or her to pre-school. Pre-school is optional, and children usually attend at 3 years of age.
Under the ECCE scheme, children are entitled to two years of free pre-schooling prior to starting primary school. The programme is available to all children who have turned two years and eight months of age by the start of the programme year in September and will not be more than five years and six months by the end of the 2nd programme year. The scheme provides three hours per day, five days a week, over 38 weeks. If your child attends the care service for longer than this, then you will be charged for that extra time.
Pre-school in Ireland includes privately run crèches, play-schools, nurseries, and Montessori schools. The ECCE Programme offers both indoor and outdoor learning experiences, as well as opportunities for solo play and group play.
Indoor learning experiences often include:
- painting, drawing and writing;
- playdough play and sensory activities;
- puzzles and games;
- construction – for example, with blocks or Lego;
- books;
- home corners with play kitchens and dressing up.
Outdoor learning experiences often include:
- play in the natural environment;
- constructing with others;
- sand and water play;
- pretend play;
- climbing, running and jumping.
Group learning experiences often include:
- stories;
- songs;
- circle time;
- music and movement.
Some childcare centres will have different types of activities on offer. Some will also have specialisations. For example, certain day-cares will be Irish language facilities where only the native tongue is spoken. Some day-care groups will learn basics such as the alphabet and songs, whereas others will focus on activities such as baking, drawing and painting.
Primary school in Ireland
Although children in Ireland do not have to attend school until the age of six, almost all children begin school in the September following their 4th birthday. Four-year-olds and five-year-olds are enrolled in the junior or senior infant classes. Primary education consists of an 8-year cycle: junior infants, senior infants, and first to sixth classes.
In Ireland, all children are entitled to free primary education. You can send your child to the primary school of your choice, as long as there is a place for them, so early enrolment is advisable.
Schools operate from Monday to Friday. Classes usually start between 8:30 am and 9.30 am. A primary school day lasts 5 hours and 40 minutes. The school day is usually shorter for children in infant classes.
The curriculum followed in primary schools in Ireland is a child-centred one, and it allows for flexibility in timetabling and teaching methods. It aims to provide a broad learning experience and encourages a rich variety of approaches to teaching and learning that cater for the different needs of individual children. The primary curriculum is designed to nurture the child in all dimensions of his or her life – spiritual, moral, cognitive, emotional, imaginative, aesthetic, social, and physical.
The curriculum for primary education is broad and covers the following key areas:
- Language;
- Mathematics;
- Social, Environment and Scientific Education;
- Arts Education, including Visual Arts, Music and Drama;
- Physical Education;
- Social, Personal and Health Education.
Standardised tests are used to measure a child's reading and mathematical achievement, and to determine their progress in those areas. You can access the primary school curriculum on NCCA.
Secondary school in Ireland
Children from about 12 to 18 years attend secondary school, also known as post-primary school in Ireland. The minimum school leaving age is 16 or after 3 years of post-primary education, whichever is later.
Schools open from Monday to Friday. Classes usually start between 8:30 am and 9.30 am. The minimum hours of instruction per day is six, and the minimum hours of instruction per week is 28. Second-level schooling aims to provide a comprehensive, high-quality learning environment that prepares students for higher or continuing education or for immediate entry into the workplace.
Secondary school education consists of a 3-year Junior Cycle, followed by a two or three-year Senior Cycle, depending on whether the optional transition year is taken after the Junior Cycle. Apart from internal school tests, there are two key public examinations taken by school students in Ireland: the Junior Certificate (age 15/16) and the Leaving Certificate (age 17/18). These are external examinations set by the State Examinations Commission.
A broad curriculum is offered in Irish schools for the first three years (Junior Cycle), followed by specialisation in the last two years (Senior Cycle or Leaving Cert). Irish secondary schools emphasise academic achievement, extracurricular activities and holistic development. Irish secondary schools are all about building basic literacy and numeracy skills while also fostering social and personal growth.
The different types of secondary schools in Ireland
Public schools
Public schools are the go-to option for most Irish families when it comes to second-level schooling in Ireland. These schools are free and include:
- Secondary schools that are privately owned and managed. In most cases, the trustees are religious communities or boards of governors. These tend to be single-gender schools.
- Vocational schools that are established by the State and administered Education and Training Boards. They usually offer a wider range of practical subjects and tend to be co-educational (for male and female students)
- Community and comprehensive schools that are managed by boards of management of differing compositions. They also usually offer a wider range of practical subjects and tend to be co-educational.
Private schools
These are fee-paying schools that are inspected by the Department of Education. Non-EU students who require a visa to study in Ireland must attend a fee-paying school.
Boarding schools
These are also private fee-paying schools inspected by the Department of Education, but which also offer facilities for students to reside on campus. Depending on the school, boarding can be for five or seven days, and host families are used for any boarding-free weekends.
Junior Cycle
The Junior Cycle includes first, second, and third years and leads to the Junior Certificate Examination. In the first three years of secondary school, students prepare for the Junior Cert. Students study 7-10 subjects across a range of fields, including:
- Language and Literature;
- Maths;
- Science and Technology;
- Social, Political and Environmental Education;
- Arts Education;
- Physical Education;
- Religious and Moral Education;
- Guidance Counselling;
- Pastoral Care.
Students sit the Junior Certificate Examination at the end of the third year, and the results are issued in September.
Transition Year
Transition Year (TY) is an optional year that has been one of the major innovations in Irish education in recent years. It follows immediately after the Junior Cycle. TY is free from formal examinations and allows students to experience a wide range of work experience over the course of a year. The aim of Transition Year is to educate students for adulthood with an emphasis on personal development, social awareness, and skills for life.
Senior Cycle
The Senior Cycle caters to students generally in the 15 to 18 year age group, and includes the fifth and sixth year. Subjects are assessed by an examination paper and by additional assessment methods, including oral and aural examinations, practical examinations, and assessment of practical coursework at the end of the two-year programme of study.
The final two years in the senior cycle, lead to a State examination - the Leaving Certificate exam. It is taken when students are typically 17 or 18 years of age. Syllabi are available in 34 subjects. All subjects in the Senior Cycle are offered at two levels, Ordinary and Higher. Students are required to take at least five subjects, one of which must be Irish.
A great deal of public attention is focused on the Leaving Certificate Exam as entry into third-level universities and colleges is closely linked to the results achieved by students at the exam; results are issued in August.
Grinds
Known as 'private tuition', grinds in Ireland are incredibly popular, and are usually employed before the state exams, both Junior and Leaving Cert.
Home-schooling in Ireland
You can also choose to teach your child at home, often called home schooling or home education. You do not need a formal teaching qualification, and you don't have to follow the national curriculum. But you must ensure that your child receives a certain minimum education.
You can choose a suitable approach to teaching your child based on their learning needs and what is appropriate to their age, aptitude and ability. You also have to register with TUSLA's Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service (AEARS).
What makes the Irish education system unique?
Irish schools emphasise inclusivity, academic excellence, and bilingualism, making education accessible for everyone. There is a strong emphasis on bilingualism, and students learn both Irish and English. Inclusivity is key in Irish schools, with special education services available for students who need extra support. And a balance between academic rigour and extracurricular activities helps students develop well-rounded skills.
Open days
Most schools have open days, and these are usually held in October, so you should contact your local school well in advance to find out more.
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
