From Leaving CertiFiCate to Leaving SChooL a Longitudinal Study ...

Chapter Six
LOOKING BACK, MOVING FORWARD
6.1 Introduction
This chapter examines student reflections on their entire school experience
and explores their plans for when they leave school. The first part
of this chapter examines how students across the twelve case-study
schools feel about their time at school now that they are soon to leave the
second-level system. Discussions centre on what students feel they get
out of school and what it prepares them for in the future. We also examine
areas where students feel their second-level education could have
been improved. The second section of this chapter examines students’
plans and intentions when they leave school and how these plans vary by
the social profile of the school. It is worth noting that the surveys for this
study took place in 2007 and 2008, so student plans and aspirations for
the future should be understood in the context of the full employment
and economic prosperity which existed at the time.
6.2 Reflections on Second-Level Education
This section examines students’ own perceptions of their time in postprimary
school; in particular, we focus on what they feel were the main
benefits of their education. Sixth year students were asked whether their
second-level education had been ‘a lot’, ‘some’ or ‘no’ help in developing
a specified list of skills and competencies (Figure 6.1). Students were
generally very positive about the contribution of their schooling to their
personal and social development; 57 per cent felt that school had been ‘a
lot’ of help in making new friends, 50 per cent in communicating well
with others and 40 per cent in increasing their self-confidence. Basic