Every year in Ireland 1,000 young people drop out of secondary school before completing their second year. A further 9,000 leave before their Leaving Certificate. ‘Next Step’ supports the transition from primary to secondary level school. It provides an educational toolkit, training, and grants for afterschool projects working with children living in social deprivation and generational early school leaving. By early intervention from 6th class through to 1st year the ‘Next Step’ programme guides them and their parents in this important life stage.

Scheduled to run in 16 homework clubs across Dublin, 400 children who otherwise would be at high risk of dropping out of school early will be supported at a critical stage in their development thus increasing their chances of completing secondary cycle.

‘Next Step’ is the only national primary to secondary school transition programme in Ireland addressing a major priority in the National Youth Strategy 2015-2020 and after being successfully piloted in 14 locations across Ireland, it is ready to scale.