Senior Cycle is changing across Ireland. New and revised Leaving Certificate subjects are being introduced in stages, with changes to both what students learn and how their learning is assessed.
This page explains what the changes mean for students and parents/guardians at Presentation Castleisland. We will update it as further subjects and assessment arrangements are introduced.
Click here for an overview of Student’s Journey through the new Senior Cycle.
The Leaving Certificate remains in place. Students will continue to receive Leaving Certificate grades for progression to further and higher education.
In redeveloped subjects, assessment includes an Additional Assessment Component (AAC) alongside the final written examination. An AAC gives students another way to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. Depending on the subject, it may involve an investigation, research study, practical task, project or another form of assessed work.
AACs account for at least 40% of the available marks in redeveloped subjects and are externally assessed by the State Examinations Commission (SEC).
The aim of the redeveloped Senior Cycle is to help students develop their knowledge, skills, values and dispositions together. These support students as they learn, solve problems, work with others and prepare for life beyond school.
The Senior Cycle framework identifies seven key competencies: thinking and solving problems; being creative; communicating; working with others; participating in society; cultivating wellbeing; and managing learning and self. Literacies and numeracy support the development of all seven.
Senior Cycle Redevelopment is being introduced in stages, known as tranches. The following redeveloped subjects are currently being taught at Presentation Castleisland.
Further subjects will be redeveloped nationally in later tranches. We will update this page as changes become relevant to our students.
Students may have assessed work in several subjects. The school is coordinating AAC timelines across subjects to help students plan their work and manage overlapping demands.
Subject teachers will explain the assessment instructions, school working timetable and any internal checkpoints. These checkpoints help students make steady progress. Key dates will be shared with students and parents/guardians when confirmed.
Regular attendance is particularly important while AAC work is under way.
Students completing an AAC are expected to:
The redevelopment aims to give students more ways to demonstrate what they have learned and to assess skills that a final written examination cannot always capture fully. New subject specifications are being introduced gradually, so the subjects affected depend on when a student begins in Fifth Year.
Yes. Written examinations remain part of the assessment arrangements for redeveloped subjects, alongside AACs. The majority of these written examinations take place in June at the end of sixth year.
An AAC is an assessed component completed in addition to the final written examination. Its format is specific to the subject and the focus of the AAC changes each year. For example, it may involve research, investigation or practical work. The assessment guidelines for each subject explain what students must do.
AACs in redeveloped subjects account for at least 40% of the available marks. Students should check the arrangements for each subject, as the assessment format and precise weighting may differ.
AACs are set and externally assessed through the State Examinations Commission. Subject teachers teach the relevant knowledge and skills, explain the requirements, and supervise or authenticate work as required. They do not award the final AAC mark.
Timing varies by subject. Teachers will tell students when work is due and explain any school checkpoints leading up to the official deadline. The school will coordinate its timetable to help students manage work across subjects.
Students must follow the arrangements specified for each subject. While the majority of work should take place under teacher supervision in school, some elements may be completed outside of school. The subject teacher will explain what students may do independently and what must be completed under supervision.
Yes, all Fifth and Sixth Year students are required to purchase a laptop through the school provider for the purpose of the AACs. This laptop is retained by students for their further studies after secondary school.
AACs require planning and sustained work during the course. A student taking several redeveloped subjects may have more than one assessment to manage. The school will use internal checkpoints and coordinated scheduling to help students plan ahead, while students remain responsible for meeting each subject’s requirements.
Teachers will follow the applicable supervision and authentication procedures. These may include observing work completed in class, checking progress at different stages and discussing a student’s work with them. Students must acknowledge sources and follow the rules on permitted assistance. Submitted work must genuinely be their own.
Students must not use generative AI unless its use complies with both the SEC requirements and the directions given by their subject teacher. Where its use is permitted, it must be fully disclosed and referenced. The school will provide guidance on referencing, and each student remains responsible for checking that every reference is complete and accurate.
A considerable portion of AAC work takes place during normal class time, so regular attendance is essential. Students will not be allowed to leave other timetabled classes in order to complete AAC work. Where absence arises from serious illness, bereavement or another significant circumstance, please contact the school as soon as possible. Any arrangements made remain subject to the rules and deadlines set by the SEC.
Parents and guardians should encourage attendance, help students keep track of dates and provide time and space for independent work. They can discuss how a student is organising her work, but should not write, edit or complete any part of an assessed submission for her.
The AAC contributes to the student’s final Leaving Certificate grade in that subject. The final grade continues to be used in the normal way when calculating Leaving Certificate points for CAO applications.
This page focuses on AACs introduced through Senior Cycle Redevelopment. Other subjects may also have established projects, practical work or other assessed components with their own rules and timelines. Students should follow the separate guidance provided for those subjects.
For a question about the requirements or timeline of a particular AAC, please contact the relevant subject teacher through the school. For a general question about Senior Cycle Redevelopment, please contact the school office or refer to the additional information below.
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