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Choosing Junior Cycle subjects?

The Junior Cycle report shows which subjects suit your child and why, what the move from primary is likely to be like for them, and how to help without taking over. Use it while you're considering the options your school offers.

Start your match€49.99, about 20 minutes, pay at the end

For children in 4th, 5th and 6th class.

A page from Maisy's Junior Cycle report, Part 1, page 5

The subjects that came out on top for Maisy

SubjectWhat lifts it for MaisyMatch
Visual ArtLong projects, time to think, and work judged over weeks rather than in one exam90%
Wood TechnologyThe same three things as Visual Art, and she already makes things often88%
Business StudiesReal-life problems she can picture: money, shops, jobs85%

Each percentage compares subjects with each other for Maisy. It isn't a grade, a prediction or a chance.

From Maisy's Junior Cycle report · Part 1, page 5
BEFORE THE FIRST DAY

Choices come before the first day

Many schools ask for 1st year subjects at enrolment or in 6th class, before your child has met a single teacher. The report gives you their strengths and the reasons behind each subject, so you're not choosing blind.

Inside the Junior Cycle report

36 pages in five parts, written about your child by name. Here's what each part gives you, with real pages from Maisy's report.

Student Card, 4 pages

Get to know how your child works

The report opens with the three things that stand out most about your child, each backed by several of their answers and with a note on what helps. Most of it you'll recognise. Some of it you may never have put into words.

Three things that stand out Your child at their best What can be easy to misread at home How sure the report is about each point
A page from Maisy's Junior Cycle report, Student Card, page 1

Clear in her answers

A private setback doesn't knock her. Being put on the spot in class does

In first year she'll meet a lot of new teachers in a few days, each asking questions in front of a class she doesn't know yet. That's the moment to plan for.

What helps: time to prepare. Given time, she's happy to present.

From Maisy's Junior Cycle report · Student Card, page 1
A page from Maisy's Junior Cycle report, Part 1, page 10

Visual Art or Wood Technology?

Only two points separate them, too little to mean anything.

The question that decides it: ‘If you had three weeks to make something, would you rather it was something nobody else could have thought of, or something that has to work properly?’

From Maisy's Junior Cycle report · Part 1, page 10
Part 1: Choosing subjects, 10 pages

Know which subjects to pick, and be able to say why

Their top six subjects, with what lifts each one for your child and the hard part to stick with. When two come out close, you get the one question that separates them. Any subject you ask about gets its own page.

A page on each of the top three Choosing a language Does any of this close doors later? A subject plan: questions for the school, then your choices with the reason beside each
Part 2: Starting secondary, 7 pages

Know what's normal in the first weeks, and when to ring the school

The move from one teacher to ten or more, the longer day and the new routine. For each thing you might notice, the report says what's usually part of settling in and the sign that means it's time to talk to the school.

From one teacher to ten or more What they might say, and what's behind it When the trouble is a teacher, not the subject A page written for your child
A page from Maisy's Junior Cycle report, Part 2, page 17

The first weeks: what's normal, and when to ring

What you noticeUsually normalTime to talk to the school
Tired and quiet after schoolVery common with a longer day and a bigger building.Still the case after the first half-term, or she starts not wanting to go in.
Losing books, mixing up the timetableNormal in September.Still happening most weeks by November.
From Maisy's Junior Cycle report · Part 2, page 17
A page from Maisy's Junior Cycle report, Part 3, page 26

For Maisy

What a CBA is, and why they suit Maisy

CBAs are made for the way Maisy works. She'd rather be marked on a project built over a few weeks than on one exam.

Two things to plan for: a topic she cares about, since her effort follows her interest, and an early start, since starting is her sticking point.

From Maisy's Junior Cycle report · Part 3, page 26
Part 3: Homework, tests and study, 7 pages

A way to study that suits how they learn

One study method built around how your child takes things in, adjusted for each kind of subject. Plus homework, class tests and CBAs in plain words, and a study week that's realistic for first year.

Homework, and the five-minute start Class tests and the first school exams The CBAs they're likely to meet Where, when and how much to study
Part 4: At home, 8 pages

Help without taking over

The part written for you. What helps most in fifteen minutes on a school night, how to get a real answer about the day, and four questions for the parent-teacher meeting. It ends with one page to stick on the fridge.

When to leave it, ask, help or call the school Bringing up the subject they're avoiding Getting the most from parent-teacher meetings Your child at a glance, for the fridge
A page from Maisy's Junior Cycle report, Part 4, page 35

For the fridge

Maisy at a glance

WhenWhat to try first
Homework not startedThe five-minute start: the interesting part first, or one question without the book.
A poor result‘What's one thing you'd do differently?’ Then leave it.
Quiet about one subject‘Show me what you're doing in that one.’ Listen for the start, the point or the class.
From Maisy's Junior Cycle report · Part 4, page 35

When to do it

Every school sets its own dates, so check with yours. Earlier gives you longer to use the parts on settling in and study.

  1. 4th to 6th class

    Complete the quiz together. We'll confirm the report's delivery timeframe before payment.

  2. Open night

    Bring Part 1's questions for the school and check its subject list.

  3. Choices due

    Fill in the school's form from your subject plan, with reasons you can explain.

  4. 1st year

    Use Parts 2 to 4 as the year goes on, and keep the fridge page handy.

Junior Cycle questions

My child is only in 4th class. Is that too early?
No. Most of the report is about how your child works and what will help in secondary, which stays useful for years. The subject pages matter most closer to the school’s deadline, so keep the report to hand.
We have an older child already in secondary. Will it repeat what we know?
It’s written with that in mind. Where you’ve been through it before, the report points to where this child’s experience is likely to be different.
Can I ask about a particular subject?
Yes. Name it in the parent section and the report gives it its own page, explaining where it came out for your child and why.
What is the subject plan?
A one-page plan you fill in together. It starts with three questions for the school, because the answers can change the order, then gives your choices with the reason beside each.
Can I share it with the school?
It’s yours to share. Part 4 includes four questions that get the most out of the short time with each teacher.

Get the Junior Cycle report

€49.99, everything included. You pay once the quiz is done.

Start your match

Not sure which Junior Cycle subjects to choose?

Start with our free parent guide: compare the actual subject work, ask the school the right questions and make room for your child's interests.

Read the Junior Cycle subject-choice guide

Not ready for a report? Use our free 15-minute subject-choice checklist to compare the school's actual options with your child's interests before deciding.