P7/Sixth Class

The Launchpad Transition programme is a one-day or half-day masterclass for primary seven or sixth class pupils.

Moving from primary to second-level education can be an intimidating prospect for many young pupils. Some feel nervous and apprehensive while others are genuinely terrified at the prospect of being forced out of their comfort zone. Even simple things like making new friends can often prove difficult not to mind the process of understanding the many new demands associated with second-level education. The Launchpad Transition Programme addresses all of these issues in a systematic and engaging manner to ensure that, by the end, young pupils feel equipped, empowered and excited about the year ahead.

This highly interactive programme focuses on six core activities. In ‘My Mindset’ pupils examine their ability beliefs and explore how they can grow their intelligence. ‘Feed My Brain’ looks at how pupils become and stay healthy by eating those foods that aid concentration, focus and memory. In ‘My Amazing Brain’ students examine the brain’s structure and functions, and how brain connections are built and maintained. ‘Memory Matters’ demonstrates how to use active techniques to aid memory and recall. ‘Flourishing Friendships’ introduces ideas on how young pupils can make new friends and sustain healthy friendships throughout school. Finally, ‘Aspire to Achieve’ allows students to reflect on their own aspirations for big school and to address any apprehensions and fears.

First Year

Ignite is aimed at students in year one of post primary education. It is designed to captivate, motivate and educate students about the brain and the process of learning. It will create a success-oriented mindset, boost academic performance and foster a positive and lifelong attitude to learning.

The first year of post primary education is crucial in enabling students to develop the mindset and study habits to be successful. When habits are embedded at this early stage, the journey through post primary education is not only smoother, but also more rewarding, personally and educationally. Research has shown us that children and young learners are resilient and highly responsive and with the right support, they can bounce back from challenges, move forward and build self-confidence and self-efficacy in this educational journey.

The Ignite programme will kickstart the post primary learning journey and help students develop effective homework and study habits. Each student will receive an A4 booklet that will be used during the programme and also contains follow-on activities.

Junior Cycle/GCSE

On Your Marks provides the foundations that are critical to success in the first formal state exams (Junior Cycle/GCSE). This programme empowers students in their assessment journey. It investigates the incremental theory of intelligence, how the brain learns and the significance of these for effective study and revision habits. Students will engage in and explore the merits and practical benefits of evidence-informed learning and revision strategies. They will also be given practical tools to manage controlled assessments and coursework and they will apply particular study strategies to their own learning. On Your Marks also enables students to acquire a deeper understanding of the memory system, prepare for exams and develop personalised time management techniques.

During this seminar, students engage in our unique and powerful Flash Card note-taking activity. In this, we illustrate how to create purposeful and effective study notes and to generate relevant revision questions. We introduce students to the relevance of the theory of forgetting, and we demonstrate how to build a spaced revision planner to maximise the capacity of the memory system.

Each student receives an A4 booklet during the seminar that also contains follow-on activities.

Transition Year

Fifth year students often describe the culture shock they encounter when moving from Transition Year to Senior Cycle. The more relaxed Transition Year experience begins to fade as the spectre of Fifth Year and the Senior Cycle looms on the horizon. With this in mind, Start Smart prepares TY students to make a smooth transition into Senior Cycle and, importantly, to hit the ground running.

Start Smart is a highly enjoyable and engaging seminar that enables young people to stop, think and reflect on their learning journey to date. It aims to enhance personal growth, build resilience and provide tools and techniques for students to embark on the Leaving Cert with confidence and enthusiasm. Students select subjects in Feb/March, therefore April and May of TY is the ideal time for delivery of Start Smart. This is also when many students begin to psychologically prepare for re-engaging with homework and study in a more comprehensive way. After Start Smart, students can enjoy the summer break safe in the knowledge that they will be prepared for the challenge ahead.

Activities include: The Science of Habit Formation; Mindset Matters; Process First, Outcome Second; Deliberate Practice Makes Perfect and Start Smart to Take Control

Each student will receive an A4 booklet that will be used during the programme and also contains follow-on activities.

Fifth Year/Year 13

Senior Cycle/Sixth Form presents different challenges and opportunities for students seeking to direct a successful path through post-16 learning and towards the next stage of formal exams. Students are expected to think and act more independently, show greater self-discipline, maturity, responsibility for and control of their learning. Mastermind is designed to help them achieve a path to success.

During the workshop, students will self-assess and reflect on prior academic performance, address shortcomings and build on achievements. They will examine ability beliefs and the impact on motivation and performance. They will also develop a personalised approach to learning informed by the latest cognitive science research, and they will also investigate a range of time management and note-taking techniques, using exemplars directly applicable to their personal circumstances.

Each student receives an A4 booklet during the seminar that also contains follow-on activities.

Sixth Year/Year 14

Maximise is designed for students coming to the end of their formal assessment journeys, in Sixth Year or Year 14. By completing this workshop, they will benefit from the use and application of specific skills, competencies and success mindset. On completion, they will be able to use and apply specific skills and competencies to enable them to make informed decisions about their approaches to study, revision, and exams.

Students will be introduced to the five steps to exam success in a dynamic and structured way. They will examine brain plasticity and its role in success. They will explore a range of multi-sensory study and revision strategies. Maximise will also examine the role of sleep, nutrition and technologies in overall wellbeing. Students will devise an exam countdown planner as part of an exploration of effective time management tools and that builds on the evidence around spaced practice. Finally, students will be shown how to prepare psychologically for exam time and how to maximise exam techniques. 

Each student receives an A4 booklet during the seminar that also contains follow-on activities.