Guide to Writing Your 'Other Areas of Learning' for JCPA
Your Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA) showcases your academic and personal development throughout junior cycle. This guide will help you craft meaningful 'Other Areas of Learning' entries that highlight your achievements outside the classroom.
Understanding Your Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement
The JCPA is a comprehensive record of your achievements throughout junior cycle. It includes:
State Certified Final Examination Results
Your Junior Cycle exam results across all subjects
Classroom-Based Assessments
Results and descriptors for CBAs completed in second and third year
Other Areas of Learning
School-related activities and achievements outside the standard curriculum
This official document recognizes your academic performance and broader educational experiences, providing a holistic view of your development during junior cycle.
What Qualifies as an 'Other Area of Learning'?
An 'Other Area of Learning' (OAL) must be school-related and represent meaningful participation or achievement outside the standard curriculum.
Suitable OAL Examples:
  • Awards for sporting or cultural achievements at school ceremonies
  • Membership on school sports teams or panels
  • Participation in the Students' Council
  • Competition entries (BT Young Scientist, history competitions)
  • Organisation of charity fundraising events
More OAL Examples:
  • Performances in school musicals, plays, or dance shows
  • Helping organise school masses or ceremonies
  • Assisting at Parents' Evenings or similar events
  • Special class initiatives or projects
  • Active roles in CSPE projects
  • Participation in school clubs
Remember: OALs should reflect activities that contributed to your personal growth and development of key skills during your junior cycle years.
How to Write Effective OAL Statements
Your OAL statements should be concise, specific, and written in the third person. Aim to include:
Activity Description
Clearly state what you did and your level of involvement
Skills Developed
Identify key skills you gained or improved
Personal Growth
Explain how this experience benefited your development
Write in clear, error-free English and keep your total submission under 120 words.
Sample OAL Statements
Sports Example
"Claire was a member of the school Gaelic team where she represented the school at competition level reaching the semi-finals of the Leinster Cup. This experience helped her develop her ability to work in a team and how to set and achieve personal targets."
Leadership Example
"John was a member of the school's student council. This helped him understand how meetings are run and how to organise charity fundraisers. Furthermore this developed his problem-solving skills and his ability to innovate."
Academic Example
"Mary won a national prize in a first year history competition. This project taught her the skills of research and how to think creatively. It also taught her to bring an idea from concept to realisation."
Each example clearly states the activity, identifies skills developed, and explains the personal growth achieved through the experience.
Connecting OALs to Key Skills
When writing your OALs, link your experiences to the key skills of the Junior Cycle Framework. This demonstrates how your activities contributed to your overall development.
Incorporating these skills into your OAL statements shows how your experiences contributed to your development as a learner.
Requirements for Your OAL Submission
01
Prepare 2-5 OAL Statements
Write between two and five OAL statements that reflect your most significant school-related achievements and experiences.
02
Format as Numbered Bullet Points
Present your OALs as clear, numbered bullet points for easy reading.
03
Keep Under 120 Words Total
Be concise - your entire OAL submission should not exceed 120 words.
04
Include Teacher References
Provide the name of a teacher who can verify each OAL (e.g., "Mr. Sheeran, Ms. Kenneally etc").
05
Use Correct English
Ensure proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation throughout your submission.
How to Submit Your OALs ( 3rd Years only, will be done at school with your teachers help !)
Follow these steps to submit your completed OAL statements for inclusion in your JCPA:
Prepare Your OALs in a Word Document
Draft and refine your OAL statements in a Word document first, ensuring they meet all requirements.
Access the Submission Form
Visit the school website at or click directly on the form link:
Complete the Form
Enter your full name, copy and paste each OAL statement into the appropriate field, and provide teacher references.
Confirm Your Identity
Enter your date of birth in the required format (dd/MM/yyyy) to verify your identity.
Submit the Form
Click the "Submit" button to send your OALs for inclusion in your JCPA. Remember, your submission won't be saved until you click Submit.
Tips for Outstanding OAL Statements
Be Specific and Authentic
Focus on activities where you made a genuine contribution and can clearly articulate the skills you developed.
Highlight Growth and Learning
Emphasize how each experience helped you develop as a person and learner, not just what you accomplished.
Use Action-Oriented Language
Describe your involvement with strong verbs that demonstrate active participation (represented, organised, led, created).
Connect to Future Goals
Where relevant, show how these experiences have influenced your interests or aspirations.
Remember that your OALs will become a permanent part of your JCPA, so take time to craft statements that truly reflect your junior cycle journey.
Ready to Complete Your JCPA OAL's?
Your Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement provides a comprehensive picture of your educational journey. By thoughtfully documenting your 'Other Areas of Learning,' you create a more complete representation of your skills, interests, and achievements.
Deadline Reminder
Complete and submit your OAL statements by the school's specified deadline to ensure they're included in your JCPA. ( 8th May 2026 )
Need Help?
If you have questions about your OALs, speak with your, tutor, extra curricular/coach or guidance counsellor for assistance.
Submit Your OALs Now