First Year 


Our students are given the opportunity to study 17 subjects in their first year at the Sacred Heart School. Will the optional subjects being delivered for half the year each, giving the students a sample of all subjects before making their choice in May of 1st yr.

First Year Mandatory:

All students in first year do the following subjects for the full year.

    • Irish
    • English
    • Maths
    • History
    • Religion
    • Science

In the first term they will follow a taster programme where they will study the following subjects:

    • Music
    • Technical Graphics
    • Business
    • Geography
    • Art
    • French  
    • German  
    • Spanish
    • Home Economics

They will select 4 of the above to study for their Junior Cycle.

They will also study Wellbeing (PE, CSPE, SPHE, Choir and I.T) throughout their 3 year cycle.

Optional

Options Menu is provided to allow students time to experience all subjects so that they can make an informed choice at the end of the year.

French and German are taught for half the year to allow students choose the language they wish to study. It is usually possible for students to choose both languages if they wish.

Art , Home Economics, Geography, History, Science, Business Studies and Music.

All students will study these subjects for half the year This means that students will have the chance to experience all subjects before they choose options for 2nd year.

Digital Schoolbag


Although the Sacred Heart School has been in existence for more than 180 years in Tullamore we fully recognise that your daughters need 21st century skills to succeed in tomorrow’s world.

So it was with much excitement and anticipation that we introduced the ‘digital schoolbag’ to the incoming first year students in September 2016. The 64GB Link tablet has replaced books and this innovative move by the school has been widely acclaimed and has proved a wonderful success for both students and parents. In September 2019 we changed to a Surface Go device as this offered students a better learning experience. The introduction of the tablet for students has dramatically altered staff and students’ access to knowledge and now learning can exceed the limitations imposed by textbooks. Students report the enjoyment of working with specialised materials and texts and the resources provided by the e-book far exceed that of the text book. 

Junior Cycle

Our students are offered a wide choice of subjects in their  for their Junior Cycle  they can choose from 20 subjects.

Junior Cycle

Examination subjects are available in higher and ordinary level. The Junior Cycle exam takes place at the end of your daughter’s third year in the Sacred Heart School. 

Junior Cycle Subjects (Core subjects). Your daughter will study 10 subjects for examination

    • Irish
    • English
    • Maths
    • History
    • Science
    • Religious Education

Students will also study Wellbeing:

    • PE
    • SPHE
    • CSPE
    • Choir
    • Information Technology and Technical Graphics

Students will select 4 of the following optional subjects:

    • Art
    • History
    • Geography
    • Home Economics
    • Business
    • Music
    • Career Guidance
    • Spanish
    • French
    • German
    • Civic Social and Political Education (CSPE)

Senior Cycle

Students have to select seven subjects for the two year Leaving Certificate programme from a choice of 20 subjects. Irish, English and Maths are compulsory and students must choose four option subjects, one of which is a modern language. 

Senior Cycle


Core subjects:

    • Irish (except for exemption)
    • English
    • Maths
    • Religion
    • Career Guidance

Optional (pick five):

  • History
  • Art
  • Music
  • Home Economics
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Agricultural Science
  • Agricultural Science
    • Applied Maths
    • Business Studies
    • Accounting
    • Link Modules
    • Economics
    • French
    • German
    • Geography
    • Religious Studies
    • Physical Education

LCVP


The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) is a Senior Cycle Programme of the Department of Education and Skills, designed to give a strong vocational dimension to the Leaving Certificate (established). The programme combines the virtues of academic study with a new and dynamic focus on self-directed learning, enterprise, work and the community. 

Leaving Certificate Applied


The Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) is a Leaving Certificate Programme of the Department of Education and Skills. Students apply their knowledge, skills and experience to practical tasks in school, in the workplace and in the wider community.

The LCA is examined throughout year one (5th year) which gives the student an opportunity to have two thirds (66%) of the credits accrued before the final exam at the end of 6th year