Primary Education - Ireland

Ireland

Main article Education in the Republic of Ireland

Primary school teaching in Ireland consists of 8 class levels. These are:

  • Junior Infants (4–5 years)
  • Senior Infants (5–6 years)
  • 1st class (6–7 years)
  • 2nd class (7–8 years)
  • 3rd class (8–9 years)
  • 4th class (9–10 years)
  • 5th class (10–11 years)
  • 6th class (11–12 years)

Junior and Senior infants correspond to Kindergarten.

The subjects mainly taught in primary school are:

  • English
  • Maths
  • Irish
  • Modern European language (i.e. French or/and German)
  • History
  • Geography
  • Science
  • PE (Physical Education),
  • Art
  • Drama
  • Music
  • SPHE (Social, Personal, Health Education),
  • Religion

The content of the Religion course taught depends on the management of the school. Many schools are managed and owned by the Roman Catholic Church, with a lesser number belonging to the Church of Ireland and to the Multi Denominational Group Educate Together and a handful run by other religions such as Muslims. Each school body decides on the emphasis of its religious instruction. In Catholic schools 2nd and 6th class prepare children for Holy Communion and Confirmation respectively. In the Church of Ireland this preparation is done when the pupil is aged about 14 years, and is in secondary school.

Children may start at primary school at any age between four and six years of age. Most children finish primary school at or around twelve years of age.

Read more about this topic:  Primary Education

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