Q. What is the procedure for entry to Fifth Form?
A. Contact the school requesting information. Return the completed application form with the requested documentation. Following this, parents will be contacted and students and parents may be scheduled for interview.

Q. Will all students who are interviewed for Fifth Form be accepted?
A. No. The interview process selects students who will best benefit from the experience.

Q. Will my son/daughter have guidance in choosing subjects and levels?
A. Yes, we have a dedicated and experienced guidance team to assist students and parent select the appropriate subjects.

Q. What if my son/daughter does not want to do Transition Year?
A. While Transition Year is not mandatory, our experience is, that students who do it, gain maturity, adjust more readily to the demands of study at The Institute of Education and go on to do better at the Leaving Certificate examination.

Q. What is the difference between the The Institute of Education and other schools?
A. The Institute of Education differs from other schools in that it offers a range of subjects (approx 22) that are freely available to students allowing the opportunity for the student to attend classes in any subject before finalising their timetable by end of September.

Q. Will students transfer automatically to Sixth Year at the end of Fifth Year?
A. No, behaviour, academic performance, attendance and punctuality in the Fifth
Form are all taken into account in deciding progression to Sixth Year.

Q. If my child is awarded special considerations i.e., use of word processor, separate centre for the Leaving Certificate from the State Exams Commission, will the Institute of Education provide the special examination facilities required?
A. The Institute of Education cannot guarantee that we can make special Leaving Certificate examination facilities available to all students who have received special considerations from the State Exams Commission. We will endeavour to accommodate as many students as possible holding relevant considerations. We will allocate facilities on a first come first served basis by reference to the date on which the special consideration is notified to the Institute of Education.

Q. What is the dress code?
A. There is no uniform in The Institute of Education, but all students must present themselves neatly and dress appropriately for a school setting. Inappropriate dress will not be tolerated.

Q. Are there any extra curricular activities?
A. Yes. There is a range of activities from which students may choose: e.g. soccer (boys & girls); kickboxing; show jumping and debating. All activities are subject to numbers.

Q. Will my son/daughter have access to computers?
A Yes. There is a fully equipped supervised computer room where students may undertake Leaving Certificate projects.

Q. What is the disciplinary procedure?
A. The disciplinary procedure is fully outlined in our Code of Behaviour and Discipline document which is sent to students who have accepted their place and paid a deposit. Students and parents /guardian must agree to comply fully with the rules of the school and indicate their acceptance by signing the relevant agreement sheet.

Q. What happens during a free class?
A. There are no free classes at The Institute of Education. Students are either in class or in supervised study.

Q. What are the lunch facilities?
A. There are two lunch rooms for students who bring a packed lunch. There is also a canteen on campus, which serves hot and cold food for those who wish to buy lunch. Students may also choose to go out to local eateries during their lunch time.

Q. May students leave the school at other times?
A. No. Parents must contact the school in the event of a student needing to leave school
at any other time.

Q. What happens if a student can not come to school, or is going to be late, or has a doctor’s appointment, etc?
A. Parents must take responsibility to inform the school before 10.00am if any of the above situations occur otherwise the student will be marked absent. If visiting a doctor or dentist a note from same must be provided.

Q. How can parents keep track of students progress?
A. There are a number of ways in which parents may do this. They can check the student diary, monitor results of mini tests, attend the Information Evening held for parents in October as well as attending Parent Teacher meetings in February, examine and discuss the end of term reports which they will receive at Christmas, Easter and Summer.

Q. Is there any pastoral care in the school?
A. Yes. Students may have appointments with the Guidance Counsellor and/or the
two Deputy Principals to talk through any issues or concerns.

Q. What happens when my son/daughter finishes school each day?
A. The Institute of Education is not responsible for students once they leave the building. However, we strongly advise parents/guardians to be vigilant and monitor the time and activities between leaving school and arriving home.