Leaving Certificate Applied Overview

1. The Professional Development Service for Teachers is funded by the Department of Education and Skills under the National Development Plan Leaving Certificate Applied Overview

2. What is the Leaving Certificate Applied? • It is a distinct, self-contained two-year Leaving Certificate programme aimed at preparing students for adult and working life • It emphasises forms of achievement and excellence which the established Leaving Certificate has not recognised in the past

3. Who would benefit most? • Students who are not adequately catered for by other Leaving Certificate programmes • Students who choose not to opt for those programmes

4. Rationale • Prepares students for adult and working life • Recognises talents of all pupils • Promotes communication and decision making skills • Applies knowledge and skills to the solution of real problems

5. Curriculum

6. Structure – 4 Key Sessions

7. Assessment High Credit Values 90% Attendance Final Exams in fifth and sixth year

8. Assessment • Students can earn 200 LCA course credits. • Key Assignments – 62 credits –31% • Student Tasks– 70 credits –35% • Final Exams- 68 credits –34%

9. Key assignments – 62 credits • Classwork based – Can only be earned through 90% attendance + Completion of 4 key assignments per subject. • 90% attendance is key. Doctors notes for all absences.

10. Final Exams • Final exams are held at the end of 6th Year in the following subjects only – > English and Communications > Engineering - practical in school also > Graphics and Construction – practical also > Modern Language (Spanish/ Italian) > Social Education > Mathematical Applications.

11. Work Experience • Encourage students to get work Experience – Latest Start date is Tuesday September 19th • Students should be on work experience every Tuesday. • Please find a new work experience students are not supposed to go to the same workplace twice

12. LCA and the Local Community Learning in Leaving Certificate Applied involves students in many out-of-school activities including: • Work Experience • Enterprise • Visits outside school • Investigations in the community • Working with community groups • Outings e.g. outdoor education etc. • Interviews • Surveys • Visitors etc.

13. Trips / Outings /PE • Wednesday Afternoons (Treble leisure and recreation) • Trips / Activities / Meditation • Cost • Permission forms

14. LCA in school learning experiences. Learning in Leaving Certificate Applied involves students in new and different learning experiences in school including: • Group work/Discussion • Brainstorming • Oral Presentations • Visitor to the classroom • Role Play • Questionnaires/Surveys/Displays/Exhibitions

15. FREEDOM RESPONSIBILTY LEAVING CERTIFICATE APPLIED STUDENTS To engage in a different and new range of learning experiences both in and out of school To take personal responsibility for their learning and to approach all activities in a mature, responsible fashion

16. Leaving Certificate Applied Qualification Certificate awarded at three levels: Pass 60-69 % (120 - 139 credits) Merit 70-84 % (140 - 169 credits) Distinction 85-100 % (170 - 200 credits)

17. LCA 2016 - Results • 8 Distinction • 3 Merit

18. Opening up New Options The Leaving Certificate Applied Route Map Leaving Certificate Applied • Vocational Preparation • Vocational Education • Vocational Education Further Education Post Leaving Certificate Course Further & Higher Education Careers SOLAS Apprenticeships

19. Eligibility for third level • A student who has been awarded the Leaving Certificate Applied can go on to a very wide range of Post-Leaving Certificate courses (PLCs). • The PLC courses can lead on to a National Certificate Level 2 (FETAC Level 2). These are generally one-year full-time courses. • There are more than 50 awards available in five broad areas – Art/Design, Business, Science, Services/Leisure and Communications/Media studies.

20. Eligibility for third level • Students with the Leaving Certificate Applied cannot gain direct entry through the Central Applications Office (CAO) system to the universities or Colleges of Technology. • However, those who get a Further Education and Training Awards (FETAC) Level 2 award can be eligible for some third-level courses in the Institutes of Technology and through these to some degree programmes.

21. LCA Communication with parents • LCA website • http://www.stcolmcilles.ie/lca.html • E-mails

22. How LCA helped me “It taught me about hidden skills and talents I had and it set me on The right career path” “I think it matures you a bit more and it really prepares you for when you leave school” “I just feel with LCA you get better one on one teaching” “You also get to learn more about your self and what you’re capable of doing.” “I really loved the 4 sessions of work experience” “it was my foundation and helped me become what I am today”

23. I wanted to do LCA because it was a more active course and was very different from the Traditional Leaving Certificate. Cathy I felt that there were more opportunities in LCA for me and I liked the idea of continual assessment. Kimberly Why I chose LCA I loved the idea of doing projects and assignments in LCA so that’s why I chose to do it. Darren I chose to do LCA because I enjoyed doing project work and independent research. Tara What I liked about it was the fact that you got credits as you went along and I liked doing the tasks and assignments. Danielle I decided to do LCA because I felt it would help me learn more about life today. Suzanne I had heard that LCA was mainly based on continuous assessment. That was very appealing to me. Tanya