Senior Cycle Reform

A Vision for Senior Cycle Reform
Key changes to Senior Cycle
Network Schools
How changes will be supported
Leaving Certificate Applied and Leaving Certificate Vocational Programmes
Transition Year

A Vision for Senior Cycle Reform

The Minister for Education has announced a vision for the reform of Senior Cycle education in Ireland.

Full details of the Minister’s announcement are available here: Minister Foley announces plan for reform of Senior Cycle education - Equity and Excellence for All

The changes to Senior Cycle education are informed by the work of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) and its Advisory Report on Senior Cycle Reform. Senior Cycle Review Advisory Report

The broad-based Senior Cycle experience will be maintained. To deliver the Minister's vision, key actions include:

a Senior Cycle Reform Programme Delivery Board will be established to oversee and drive the changes
the department is establishing a dedicated implementation group to implement the actions set out in the programme of work. This group will also include the Inspectorate, the NCCA, State Examinations Commission (SEC) and the teacher support services

Key changes to Senior Cycle

Developing the Curriculum and Managing the assessment burden

new and revised subjects will be developed.
from September 2023, students will take Leaving Certificate Irish and English Paper 1's at the end of 5th year
the marks for paper 1 will be added to the marks awarded for paper 2 which students will take in June of 6th year
the experience of running Orals and Practical Music Examinations at Easter in the last 2 years will be reviewed. It is hoped to run the examinations in this way in the future

New subjects and new ways of assessing students

new subjects will be developed and new subject curricula, which outline what material is taught and assessed in a subject, will be devised
the process of doing this will involve teachers, students and school communities as well as other education experts
the NCCA will publish a curriculum review by September 2023 . This will set out a plan for new and revised subject curricula to be delivered in annual blocks
2 new subjects will be available for students in network schools from September 2024: Drama, Film and Theatre Studies, and Climate Action and Sustainable Development
3 science subject curricula (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) as well as a curriculum for Business will be ready for introduction to the network schools by September 2024
revised curricula in Latin, Ancient Greek and Arabic will be introduced for all schools in September 2024

Network Schools

new and revised subjects will be introduced firstly in network schools
working with network schools provides a real-time opportunity to learn from experience (learn by doing) especially in relation to assessment. That learning can then be applied when subjects are rolled out to all schools and other subject curricula are revised or developed
5th year students starting in September 2024 in network schools will be able to take these new and revised subjects in their Leaving Certificate
as teachers are key to implementing curriculum change, particular attention will be paid to the design of the curriculum documents and the professional development that is required. The department has learnings from the experience of curriculum change and the NCCA is being asked to conduct further research and a consultation process with teachers to inform what is needed

How changes will be supported

an extensive programme of work will be put in place to implement the changes that are being announced
a Senior Cycle Reform Programme Delivery Board will be established to oversee and drive the changes
the department is establishing a dedicated implementation group to implement the actions set out in the programme of work. This group will also include the Inspectorate, the NCCA, State Examinations Commission (SEC) and the teacher support services
the changes will need to be supported by resources, particularly resources that support the professional learning of teachers, the development of the curriculum and assessment modes and support schools in implementing the changes

Leaving Certificate Applied and Leaving Certificate Vocational Programmes

from September 2022, students who take the LCA programme will have the opportunity to take Leaving Certificate Mathematics and, where possible, a Leaving Certificate Modern Language
the changes will mean that should a student need access to LC Mathematics for certain 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
in schools providing the LCVP, students starting 5th year in 2022 will be able to take the Link Modules without having to meet the subject-specific criteria
further work on Pathways and Flexibilities for LCAS students are being undertaken

Transition Year

Transition Year will remain as a standalone programme in Senior Cycle
a revised Transition Year programme statement will be developed and available for schools from early 2024

All students will have the opportunity to take the Transition Year programme. Therefore, schools that have not previously provided TY will be encouraged to do so.