The Leaving Certificate is a two-year programme for students typically aged 16-18, marking the completion of secondary education in Ireland. It aims to provide a broad and balanced education, catering to students' diverse needs and preparing them for further study, training, or the world of work.
Key aspects of the Leaving Certificate include:
- Subject Choice: Students typically study 6-8 subjects from a wide range of options, including core subjects like Irish (unless exempt), English, and Mathematics. They can choose subjects at either Higher or Ordinary Level, with Irish and Maths also available at Foundation Level.
- Assessment: Traditionally, assessment has been heavily weighted towards terminal written examinations. However, this is evolving.
- Leaving Certificate Profile of Achievement: Students receive a certificate detailing their grades in each subject. These results are crucial for progression to higher education and can also be used for employment.
- Different Programmes: There are three distinct Leaving Certificate programmes offered at our school:
- Leaving Certificate Established (LCE): The most common programme, focusing on academic subjects.
- Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP): Combines academic subjects with a vocational focus, including "Link Modules" on enterprise and preparation for work.
- Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA): A distinct two-year programme with a strong vocational emphasis, geared towards preparing students for adult and working life.
Changes being introduced in 2025
Significant changes are being introduced to the Leaving Certificate, with the first phase impacting students starting 5th year in the 2025/2026 school year and sitting their Leaving Certificate exams in 2027.
For students sitting the Leaving Certificate in 2025, the assessment arrangements will see a phased return to normal grade distributions, starting with a modest and gradual reduction in the level of post-marking adjustments applied in recent years. The adjustments to the assessment components themselves, such as greater choice in exam papers, will remain the same as in 2023 and 2024.
Looking ahead to 2027 (for students entering 5th year in September 2025), there will be a greater emphasis on other forms of assessment in addition to the terminal exam. For a first tranche of subjects, 40% of the marks will be awarded for these additional assessment components, which will be externally assessed by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), rather than marked by teachers. The remaining 60% will be based on the traditional written examination.
The first subjects to have this new assessment structure introduced are:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Arabic
- Latin
- Ancient Greek
- Business
- Additionally, two new subjects will be introduced:
- Drama, Film and Theatre Studies
- Climate Action and Sustainable Development
These changes aim to create a more balanced assessment system, reduce reliance on a single terminal exam, and foster the development of essential skills like research, critical thinking, and communication.
We will keep you updated on further developments and how these changes will be implemented in our school. For more detailed information, please refer to the websites of the Department of Education and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA).