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Guidance Department

The guidance and counselling programme of Sandford Park School seeks to ensure that appropriate supports are in place to equip our students to deal with the challenges and life choices that they face.  It focuses on the needs of each individual student and seeks to encourage and help him to reach his full potential. The guidance and counselling programme relates to all students in the school and has close links with management, parents and teachers.

Our guidance and counselling programme is delivered by all of the staff of the school, with the guidance counsellor playing a key role.  It is focused on student progress and development in three separate but interlinked areas:

  • Personal and Social
  • Educational
  • Career/Vocational

Counselling is a key part of this programme.  It is offered on an individual or group basis by the guidance counsellor as part of the personal growth process or at times of personal crisis.  This may include personal counselling, educational counselling, career counselling or combinations of these. Confidentiality is at the core of the counselling relationship, otherwise students would not have trust in revealing their true feelings. 

Confidentiality means that no specific information discussed in the counselling context is shared with others without the permission of the student, unless keeping the information concealed would put the student or others in danger.  

Guidance Activities:

Junior Cycle

  • Entrance Assessment for incoming Form I students
  • Information evening for incoming Form I students and parents
  • Induction Day at start of school year for Form I and new students
  • Mentoring- pairing senior and Form I students
  • Individual meeting with the guidance counsellor during From I
  • Ongoing contact with the guidance counsellor as required
  • Weekly SPHE class with Form Teacher
  • Study Skills classes
  • Information and support on Subject Choice for Junior Certificate
  • Information on Sport and Clubs

Transition Year

  • Information evening for incoming TY students and parents
  • DATs aptitude testing
  • Three work experience placements
  • Personal and social development module
  • Guest speakers on issues of personal well-being
  • Opportunities such as Debating, Law Day, Careers Fair etc.
  • Information and support on Subject Choice for Leaving Certificate

Senior Cycle

  • Information evening for students and parents of Forms V and VI
  • Regular careers class
  • SPHE/RSE class
  • Study Skills seminar for students of Forms V and VI
  • Careers notice board highlights upcoming events and open days
  • An evening Careers Fair (November) for local senior students
  • Form V students attend the ‘Higher Options’ Exhibition
  • College Open Days are posted on the careers notice board 
  • Guest speakers from Colleges
  • OBU Mock Interviews for students of Form V
  • Individual meetings with the guidance counsellor
  • College applications to CAO, UCAS and worldwide.

In addition, ‘Team Sandford Week’ is part of the ongoing anti-bullying programme for all.