DCU Access Service
Secondary Schools Programme
The Access Service Schools Programme works with 23 schools in the north Dublin area located in three Local Area Partnership boundaries: Ballymun, Finglas Cabra and Northside.
Our pre-entry activities in these schools are designed to support students to achieve their potential at second level, raise awareness about third level, increase the number of students participating at third level, and support positive attitudes to education in the community as a whole.
For further information on our secondary school activities please contact Edel McCarron at Tel: 01 700 6040 or edel.mccarron@dcu.ie.
- Accenture Access Achievement Awards
- TAKE 5
- Discover DCU
- Student Shadowing
- Easter Revision
- Second Level Tuition Programme
- Campus Visits
- School Talks and Visits
- Other Events
Accenture Access Achievement Awards
DCU Access Service are pleased to announce Accenture as the 2009 sponsor of the Access Achievement Awards for secondary schools.
The Achievement Awards scheme was launched by the DCU Access Service in 1997 for students from secondary schools in the North Dublin region. It is designed to recognise, reward and encourage excellence in both the academic and extra mural aspects of a students school life. The Access Achievement Awards are an important strand of the DCU Access Service Schools Programme, which fosters positive attitudes to education and encourages young people to remain at school and consider third level education as a viable option for them.
"Earlier this year, Accenture launched its *Skills to Succeed* initiative which aims to build skills that will enable people all over the world to develop themselves and participate in the economy. This initiative is fundamental to our corporate citizenship efforts brings together our passion, experience and constant commitment to developing and nurturing talent. As part of this, we are delighted to support the 2009 DCU Access Achievement Awards." Sarah Farrell, 2009 Chairperson, Accenture Charities Committee.
“The Access Achievement Awards are an extremely important initiative, which helps to inspire hundreds of young people by making them aware of the opportunities open to them through a third level education, we are delighted Accenture have agreed to support this wonderful initiative ”, said Ita Tobin, Head of the Access Service.
There are five categories of nomination:
- Academic
- Sports
- Arts & Culture
- Community Spirit
- Special Nomination.
Students may be nominated in two ways: classmates can nominate their peers or a teacher can nominate their students.
On the evening, over 1,000 parents/guardians, friends and teachers will gather for the celebrations. Each year over 400 students are recognised for their various accomplishments and achievements.
Application forms are provided to Guidance Counsellors in link schools in October. Details of nominated students and their relative categories should be returned by October 23rd 2009.
The Accenture Access Achievement Awards ceremony will be held in the impressive surroundings of Mahony Hall in the Helix, on 10th December, at 7.15pm.
For further information please contact Edel McCarron
TAKE 5
For further information please contact Edel McCarron
Discover DCU
Discover DCU is a series of three workshops run over three consecutive weeks with students from schools linked to the DCU Access Service. Workshops are facilitated by the staff of the DCU Access Service and Student Support & Development at DCU. Discover DCU aims to support and complement the work of the guidance counsellor and other teachers in the school. Throughout the workshops students are encouraged to think about options open to them when they leave school and to raise any concerns that they may have. They are also encouraged to consider Third Level as a viable option and are informed of supports in place that can facilitate this. An important component of Discover DCU is the evening held on the DCU campus for participating students and their parents. DCU staff and DCU Access students are present to talk about the Access Service and to answer any questions that arise.
For further information please contact Edel McCarron
Student Shadowing
Held over 2 separate days in mid March, the Student Shadowing Day aims to introduce Transition Year and Fifth Year students to a slightly more in-depth picture of undergraduate life.
The school student will attach him or herself to the first or second year student to whom they have been allocated and follow them around for the day. This will involve visits to the library, lectures, coffee, lunch and for some the gym or one of the many clubs and societies on campus. The day generally ends with performances from some of the clubs and societies on campus.
The allocation is (as much as is possible) in line with the subject in which the school student has expressed an interest.
There are information sessions the day before each shadowing day and lunch vouchers are provided for all involved.
For further information please contact colette.keogh@dcu.ie or at 700 8868.
Easter Revision
The Easter Revision Course is aimed at students from our 23 link schools in North Dublin who have applied through the HEAR or Acess DCU scheme. The Revision Course aims to provide support tuition in six Higher Level and two Ordinary Level Leaving Certificate subjects in order to increase students' performance in their upcoming exams. Students study their three chosen subjects throughout the week. Every year we ask the participating students to complete Evaluation Forms which continually reveal that students feel they benefit greatly from participating in the Revision Course. For further information please contact Edel McCarron or Colette Keogh.
Second Level Tuition Programme
Supplementary tuition delivered by DCU students on a voluntary and paid basis is available to students in our link schools. This tuition is arranged on a needs basis. DCU students providing such tuition undergo training and work closely with the teaching staff in the link schools. For more information contact Colette Keogh.
Campus Visits
We offer each of our link schools the opportunity to bring students onto campus for a tour and a talk by a staff member and an Access student. These visits can incorporate a workshop, library tour or sports activity depending on the group size, time of year etc.
The Access Service are also delighted to welcome groups onto campus for tours and a talk by a staff member. We work with many community groups and youth agencies to promote positive educational experiences.
If you would like to discuss a campus visit further please contact Edel McCarron or Colette Keogh.
School Talks and Visits
During the school year a member of the Access Service will make several visits to link schools with information about Access routes to Third level and how to apply. Sixth years are given indepth talks about the application process and the criterion they need to fill to be a successful. For more information please contact Edel McCarron
Other Events
The Access Service regularly receives information about one-off events around Dublin that we believe will enrich the educational experience of students in our link schools. Such events range from interactive maths lectures to science festivals to drama workshops. In collaboration with guidance counsellors, teachers and principles in our link schools we make every effort to sponsor students' involvement in these events.
