Royal & Prior Comprehensive School

Career Guidance

One of the functions of a school – as stated in Section 9 (c), Education Act, 1998 – is that students “must have access to the appropriate guidance”.

The aims of the Guidance Dept. is to provide for the personal and social, educational and vocational development of the students in the school community. The Guidance Counsellor attempt to do this through educational guidance, career guidance and personal counselling.

During first year pupils will be seen by the Guidance Counsellor to facilitate them in making their subject choices for Junior Certificate. At the end of third year students will discuss with the Guidance Counsellor their possible subject choices for senior cycle and the implications such choices may have on future career plans. If a student wishes to apply for transition year the Guidance Counsellor will interview them. In fourth and fifth year, pupils are given the opportunity to explore courses they believe they may wish to apply for after leaving second level education. Students can meet with the Guidance Counsellor in the careers office . All senior students have one period of guidance timetabled in the ICT suite.

Outings to Open Days, visiting speakers and career talks are part of the senior careers programme. Mock interviews are arranged with the help of the Rotary Club for final year students in their second term.

There is a section in the school library with up to date prospectuses for colleges and universities in Ireland and the UK. Computer databases Qualifax and Ecctis are now available in the careers office to give accurate information on courses, entry requirements, etc.

The schools hosted its first careers convention in January 2009 for parents and students of the school. 37 institutions exhibited including Universites and Colleges from Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. Other exhibitors included Fas, Civil Defence, Army, Paramedics, Garda, and PSNI. There were 24 talks and 7 past pupils returned to give talks.

The next career convention is planned for Wednesday 13th October 2010.

Links to Career Websites:

www.cao.ie/

www.ucas.co.uk/

www.qualifax.ie/

www.careerdirections.ie/

www.careersportal.ie/

www.examinations.ie/

POINTS SYSTEM FOR THIRD LEVEL ENTRY

 NOTE : BEST SIX SUBJECTS FROM ONE SITTING OF THE LEAVING CERTIFICATE