The Irish primary school curriculum is undergoing a transition from the 1999 structure to a new framework being phased in from 2026-2027. It focuses on holistic development, currently structured around Language, Mathematics, SESE (Science/History/Geography), Arts, PE, and Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE), with a new, stronger emphasis on STEM and foreign languages
Key Aspects of the Irish Primary Curriculum:
Key Aspects of the Irish Primary Curriculum:
- New Framework (2026 onwards): The new redeveloped curriculum streamlines areas into five components: Arts Education, Language, STEM Education, Social and Environmental Education (SEE), and Wellbeing.
- Key Changes:
- STEM: A greater emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
- Languages: A modern foreign language will be introduced in 5th class.
- Wellbeing: Increased focus on child wellbeing, now officially recognized as a core curriculum area.
- Ethos and Religion: Religious/ethical/multi-belief and values education is managed by individual school patrons, not the state.
Accelerated Reader
Accelerated Reader (AR) is a structured reading program designed to support and improve pupil's reading skills, comprehension and confidence. It is widely used in schools to encourage a love of reading while allowing teachers to monitor each child’s progress. All pupil's from 1st to 6th classes participate in Accelerated Reader in our school.
How the Program Works
Assessment
Pupils begin by taking the STAR Reading assessment, which identifies their current reading level. This helps ensure that each child is reading books suited to their ability.
Book Selection
Based on their results, pupils are given a reading range and can choose books within that level. Books are clearly labelled with AR levels to guide selection.
Reading & Quizzes
After finishing a book, pupils complete a short online quiz to check their understanding. These quizzes focus on key elements such as characters, plot and main ideas.
Points & Progress
Pupils earn points depending on how well they perform in quizzes and the difficulty of the books they read. Individual and class targets may be set to support motivation and achievement.
Feedback & Support
Teachers can track progress, review quiz results and provide guidance to help each pupil continue to develop their reading skills.
Our Aim
Accelerated Reader helps us to support and monitor each child’s reading development in a structured way. Our aim is to foster a love of reading, build comprehension skills and support each pupil in becoming a confident and independent reader through books suited to their level.
Accelerated Reader (AR) is a structured reading program designed to support and improve pupil's reading skills, comprehension and confidence. It is widely used in schools to encourage a love of reading while allowing teachers to monitor each child’s progress. All pupil's from 1st to 6th classes participate in Accelerated Reader in our school.
How the Program Works
Assessment
Pupils begin by taking the STAR Reading assessment, which identifies their current reading level. This helps ensure that each child is reading books suited to their ability.
Book Selection
Based on their results, pupils are given a reading range and can choose books within that level. Books are clearly labelled with AR levels to guide selection.
Reading & Quizzes
After finishing a book, pupils complete a short online quiz to check their understanding. These quizzes focus on key elements such as characters, plot and main ideas.
Points & Progress
Pupils earn points depending on how well they perform in quizzes and the difficulty of the books they read. Individual and class targets may be set to support motivation and achievement.
Feedback & Support
Teachers can track progress, review quiz results and provide guidance to help each pupil continue to develop their reading skills.
Our Aim
Accelerated Reader helps us to support and monitor each child’s reading development in a structured way. Our aim is to foster a love of reading, build comprehension skills and support each pupil in becoming a confident and independent reader through books suited to their level.
Standardised Tests
Standardised tests are used in primary schools to assess pupil's progress in key areas of learning, particularly reading and mathematics. These assessments provide valuable information to support teaching and learning and to monitor each child’s development over time.
How the Process Works
Assessment
Pupils complete standardised tests, usually during the final term of the school year. These tests are age-appropriate and designed to measure skills in areas such as reading comprehension, spelling and maths.
National Comparison
Results are standardised, meaning each pupil’s performance can be compared to a national average for their age group. This helps provide a clear picture of how a child is progressing
Understanding Results
Scores are typically presented as percentiles. For example a percentile score shows how a pupil performed in comparison to other pupils of the same age across the country.
| Understanding Standardised Tests - Parents Supports |
Supporting Learning
Teachers use the results alongside daily classroom work and observations, to identify strengths and areas where additional support may be helpful.
Communication with Parents
Schools share standardised test results with parents/guardians, usually in written form and are happy to discuss any questions or concerns.
Our Approach
In our school, standardised tests are used alongside classroom work and teacher observation to help us understand each child’s progress in reading and mathematics.
They are completed during the final term. Results are used to identify strengths and areas where additional support may be needed and are always considered in the context of everyday learning.
Standardised tests are just one part of how we support each child to make progress and reach their potential.
Teachers use the results alongside daily classroom work and observations, to identify strengths and areas where additional support may be helpful.
Communication with Parents
Schools share standardised test results with parents/guardians, usually in written form and are happy to discuss any questions or concerns.
Our Approach
In our school, standardised tests are used alongside classroom work and teacher observation to help us understand each child’s progress in reading and mathematics.
They are completed during the final term. Results are used to identify strengths and areas where additional support may be needed and are always considered in the context of everyday learning.
Standardised tests are just one part of how we support each child to make progress and reach their potential.
Literacy Lift Off
Literacy Lift Off is an early literacy support program used in our school to help children develop confidence and fluency in reading and writing. It provides structured, targeted teaching that supports pupils in becoming more independent readers and writers.
How the Program Works
Small Group Teaching
Pupils work in small groups with a teacher, allowing for focused support based on their individual needs.
Rotating Activities
Children take part in a variety of literacy stations, including reading, writing, word work and guided activities.
Skill Development
The program focuses on key early literacy skills such as phonics, word recognition, reading fluency, comprehension and sentence building.
Ongoing Assessment
Teachers regularly monitor progress and adjust groupings and activities to ensure each child is supported at the appropriate level.
Our Aim
Our aim is to provide targeted, structured support that helps children develop strong early literacy skills, build confidence in reading and writing, and progress successfully within the classroom setting.
Literacy Lift Off is an early literacy support program used in our school to help children develop confidence and fluency in reading and writing. It provides structured, targeted teaching that supports pupils in becoming more independent readers and writers.
How the Program Works
Small Group Teaching
Pupils work in small groups with a teacher, allowing for focused support based on their individual needs.
Rotating Activities
Children take part in a variety of literacy stations, including reading, writing, word work and guided activities.
Skill Development
The program focuses on key early literacy skills such as phonics, word recognition, reading fluency, comprehension and sentence building.
Ongoing Assessment
Teachers regularly monitor progress and adjust groupings and activities to ensure each child is supported at the appropriate level.
Our Aim
Our aim is to provide targeted, structured support that helps children develop strong early literacy skills, build confidence in reading and writing, and progress successfully within the classroom setting.
Copyright © 2015