College ad suggests transition year is wasted, say principals

SCHOOL principals have complained about a radio ad for a grinds college that they claim suggests transition year is a waste of students’ time.

The ad for Ashfield College in Templeogue on Dublin radio stations involves a conversation between two teenage boys, one telling the other he is going into transition year.

His friend replies: “Shame. I’m going to Ashfield College. Straight into fifth year for me. Get this whole thing out of the way.”

The second boy rejects a suggestion that he might have to take grinds or weekend courses, but says to the boy going into transition year: “But you might need them — after a year off.”

The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) has made a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland, claiming it is misleading as it implies students who take transition year are wasting their time.

The transition-year option is taken by around 30,000 students.

NAPD director Clive Byrne said the programme aims to enhance young people’s educational experience. “A 2003 study shows the clear benefits, such as the fact that transition year students are more than twice as likely as non-participants to apply for third-level college,” he said.

The study by the Economic and Social Research Institute also found that students who take transition year go on to achieve an average of one grade point, or five CAO points, more than others for each Leaving Certificate subject.

“It is a cheap shot, aimed at undermining a year that has enormous benefits for students,” Mr Byrne said.

Ashfield College managing director Giles Kilcoyne defended the ad campaign.

“We have done nothing illegal or unethical and we wouldn’t suggest transition year is a waste. But we get many students whose parents want them to go straight into fifth year, rather than doing transition year in their old school,” he said.

“In those cases, we decide based on their academic history and results, but also on whether they are mature enough to start fifth year,” Mr Kilcoyne said.

Ashfield College charges €6,950 a year for students to take seven Leaving Certificate subjects and €800 extra for an eighth subject, boasting that it offers small class sizes and highly experienced teachers.