In 2022, the Minister set out an ambitious programme for the redevelopment of Senior Cycle, guided by the vision of a Senior Cycle that delivers “equity and excellence for all.”
The programme is informed by, and builds upon, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment’s (NCCA) Advisory Report on the review of Senior Cycle, as well as the experience of Leaving Certificate students, a growing demand for change and international experience and perspectives.
To view the Minister’s initial announcement of March 2022, please see here .
The Minister for Education made a further announcement on 20 September 2023, detailing a number of updates to the programme. Full details of the Minister’s announcement are available here .
Students – Find out what the changes mean for you
Parents – Find out what the changes mean for your young person
• In the 2025/26 school year, students will benefit from the earlier rollout of nine new and revised subjects two years earlier than had been previously announced.
• The revised subjects for Fifth Years in 2025/26 are: Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Business, Arabic, Ancient Greek and Latin.
• The two new subjects that will be available in a selection of schools from 2025/26 are: Drama, Film, and Theatre Studies, and Climate Action and Sustainable Development.
• Each of the new and revised subjects will incorporate new assessment components that are not a traditional written examination.
• These components will worth at least 40% of the available marks and will be externally assessed by the State Examinations Commission (SEC).
• There will be a second set of new specifications (Accounting, Construction Studies, Engineering, English, Geography, Physical Education) introduced in the 2026/27 school year with more revised specifications introduced annually after that.
• The schedule of subjects to be redeveloped can be found on the NCCA website .
• Since the start of the 2022/23 school year, students who take the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) programme have the opportunity to take Leaving Certificate Mathematics and, where possible, a Leaving Certificate Modern Language.
• The changes mean that should a student need access to Leaving Certificate Mathematics for further education options, then they will be facilitated while also continuing their LCA programme.
• The Department will work with employers and other interests to explore improved progression routes for those taking the LCA programme.
• Since the start of the 2022/23 school year, in schools providing the Leaving Cert Vocational Programme (LCVP), students starting 5th year are able to take the LCVP Link Modules without having to meet the subject-specific criteria.
• LCVP Link modules are being redeveloped for introduction in schools in the 2026/27 school year.
• Further work on Pathways for LCA students is being undertaken.
Transition Year will remain as a standalone programme in Senior Cycle.
• The revised Transition Year Programme Statement has been submitted to the Minister for consideration and approval, pending its introduction to schools in 2024.
The Minister requested the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) to develop Senior Cycle Level 1 and Level 2 Learning Programmes (L1/L2LPs)
A draft Programme Statement and new modules Level 1 and Level 2 learning programme are now open for public consultation until 10 April 2024 available here; L1/ L2 Consultation
- An extensive programme of work has been put in place to implement the changes that are being announced.
- A Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme Delivery Board has been established to monitor delivery and report to the Minister on progress..
- A Senior Cycle Partners’ Forum has been established to underpin the collaboration necessary to support implementation. It includes representatives of students, parents, teachers, school leadership and management bodies, and the inclusion sector.
- The Department has established a dedicated Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme Management Office to implement the actions set out in the programme of work.
- The changes will be supported by resources, including professional learning for teachers, the development of the curriculum and assessment modes and supports schools in implementing the changes.
- The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment , the State Examinations Commission , and Oide are working together to ensure their programmes of work are aligned with changes as they arise.
• The call for applications by schools to become a Phase One school for new Leaving Certificate subjects is now open until 19 April 2024, 11am. The two new Leaving Certificate subjects are Drama, Film and Theatre Studies, and Climate Action and Sustainable Development. Teaching and learning in these new subjects will commence in the 2025/26 school year.
• Information on the timings of the rollout of the new and redeveloped subjects, to be delivered in 5 tranches, are available on the NCCA website here: Schedule of senior cycle subjects for redevelopment
• Draft specifications for the first set of nine subjects to be revised have been published for consultation.
• The public consultation process and the consultations on the draft specifications for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Arabic, Ancient Greek, and Latin has been completed. A review of this consultation is underway.
• The consultations on the draft Business specification and the two new subjects are now open and will conclude on 5 April 2024. Please follow this link to review: Business, Climate Action and Sustainable Development and Drama, Film and Theatre Studies Consultations
• Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) students have had improved access to Leaving Certificate Established (LCE) Mathematics and Modern Foreign Languages since September 2022, broadening the options for LCA.
• Students in schools that offer LCVP are now able to access LCVP link modules without meeting subject specific criteria, or the modern European language requirements.
• A Post-Primary Special Education Development Group has been established within the NCCA’s structures to develop Senior Cycle Level 1 and Level 2 Learning Programmes.
• A draft Programme Statement and new modules for Level 1 and Level Learning Programme are now open for public consultation until 10 April 2024 available here; L1/ L2 Consultation
• Consultation on a revised Transition Year Programme Statement concluded in October 2023. The finalised Programme Statement has been submitted to the Minister for consideration and approval, pending its introduction to schools in 2024.
• There has been significant engagement with education stakeholder groups, including representatives of students, teachers, parents, school leadership, management bodies, and subject experts;
• Oral examinations in language subjects have been held during the school Easter break and will continue to be held at this time in 2024.
• The Minister established the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme Delivery Board, and the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Partners’ Forum.
• Detailed consideration of the approach to the phased introduction of the two new subjects into schools has taken place. The process for schools to apply to become the first phase of schools to introduce these two new subjects will open shortly.
• The research informing the design of the template being used to develop new subject specifications has been published. It can be viewed here: Technical Form for Curriculum Specifications NCCA
• The schedule for the second set of revised Leaving Certificate subject specifications to be revised has been published here Senior Cycle Redevelopment Schedule
• New specifications for Accounting; Construction Studies; Engineering; English; Geography; Physical Education; and the LCVP Link Modules will be introduced in 2026/27 school year.
