Information for Schools on Delivering Revised and New Specifications

In September 2023, the Minister for Education announced that revised specifications for seven existing Leaving Certificate Established subjects will be introduced in schools from the 2025/26 school year.

These subjects are Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Arabic, Latin, Ancient Greek, and Business.

Part of these transformative developments include the introduction of the two new Senior Cycle subjects of Drama, Film and Theatre Studies, and Climate Action and Sustainable Development. These two new subjects will be introduced on a phased basis, initially across a small network of schools (Phase One schools), at the beginning of the school year 2025/26.

Taking this approach allows schools to be supported in the introduction of the new subject and for reflection on the effectiveness of those supports as more schools subsequently offer the subject. The call for applications closed on the 19 April 2024.

The second set of revised subjects, to be introduced to schools at the beginning of the 2026/27 school year are: Accounting, Construction Studies, Engineering, English, Geography, LCVP Link Modules, and Physical Education.

Further sets of revised subjects will be introduced annually thereafter. Schools are encouraged to engage with the consultation processes led by the NCCA as new draft specifications are published..

Each of the new and revised subjects will incorporate additional assessment components (AACs) that are not a traditional written examination. These components will be worth at least 40% of the available marks and will be externally assessed by the State Examinations Commission (SEC).

The AACs aim to reduce the pressure on students that comes from final assessments based primarily on written examinations conducted at the end of sixth year. These AACs are designed to assess students’ skills and key competencies, developed through the study of their chosen subject, in a way that a terminal written examination can not.

Written consent should be sought from the parents/guardians of students participating in either Senior Cycle Level 1 Learning Programme or Senior Cycle Level 2 Learning Programme, to record their participation in the learning programme via the Post-Primary Online Database. The following consent form should be completed and returned to the student’s school.

This form should be retained by the school for the duration of the student’s enrolment and made available for inspection by an officer of the Department or the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, if required.

Oide is the new support service for teachers and school leaders, funded by the Department of Education. It was established in September 2023, following the integration of the Centre for School Leadership (CSL), Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT), the National Induction Programme for Teachers (NIPT) and the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) services.

Through Oide, teachers and schools will be provided with a wide range of supports to introduce and help prepare students for the upcoming changes being made under the Senior Cycle Redevelopment programme. This will include appropriate support and professional learning.

In April 2024, Oide will notify schools of the date for their subject specific school cluster professional learning closure day in the 2024/25 school year and will provide information on how schools and teachers can register for these cluster workshops immediately after schools start back in August.

Oide will soon issue a communication to schools giving details of and encouraging teachers to register for upcoming teacher professional learning on Senior Cycle Redevelopment. Further information will be provided in due course.