Mr. Diarmuid Mooney:

For information, we have a group meeting today with the intention of working on a new programme statement for transition year. As part of that, we are looking at developing the student. To pick up on something Ms Forster mentioned, whether at Aistear level, in the primary curriculum framework, in the junior cycle or in the senior cycle, the fact they are built on key skills and competencies is a huge strength for developing a STEM mindset or STEM thinking. In transition year, there is freedom to allow students to be a little more curious, take risks, try things and learn from mistakes and successes. The new transition year programme statement is working towards developing the student as a whole and building on the experience of junior cycle to allow them to become critical thinkers and problem solvers. It is important that there is a unique space in the Irish education system that is transition year to give students the freedom to engage in trial and error. That is important going forward for our new programme statement.