The announcement by Education Minister Norma Foley that Leaving Cert students are to be given a choice between opting for Accredited Grades, sitting Leaving Cert Exams or the option to do a mixture of the two, has been broadly welcomed by students. Most of the students I have spoken to are relieved that there is a choice. However, for many of you that has raised lots more questions and worry about how to choose which option is best. My advice is to look carefully at the information as it becomes available in the coming weeks before deciding what the best choice is for you personally. In the meantime engage with your online work and study and try to stay as focused as you can on the end goal – to get through the Leaving Cert and beyond it!

The Choices

Accredited Grades: You will have the option to opt in to receive State Examination Commission (SEC) Accredited Grades via the student examinations portal on a subject by subject basis. Just like was the case for the Class of 2020, these grades will be based on the professional judgement of the teacher, will go through a form on in-school alignment and then will be subject to the national standardisation process, details of which have not yet been issued. The closing date of student work that can be taken into account for the SEC-Accredited Grades process will be May 14. The Minister has said that the oral and coursework component of the exams will not form part of the Accredited Grade process. Schools will close on May 28 to allow for the administration part of the grading process to take place.

Leaving Cert & LCA Exams: The timetables for the Leaving Cert exams which are due to start on Wednesday, June 9 are now available on www.examinations.ie. You will have the option of doing one, some or all of the exams and details of when and how to register will be issued in due course. Orals, coursework and practicals where it is possible to do them, will form part of the examination process. Orals are expected to take place over the Easter holidays and practicals where possible soon after that.

The option to do both in some or all subjects: You may opt for a mixture of Accredited Grades and written exams for some or all of the subjects. In this case, if there is a difference between the grades for any of the subjects you will get the benefit of the better grade on results day. It is envisaged that results will be issued at the normal time in mid-August. Students will get only one set of results (the better result in each subject) and a few days later specific information on the breakdown will be issued through the student portal for a limited time and students will be informed about the appeals process.

The SEC’s Candidate Portal is expected to open in the week March 8 to allow students to make choices. You will need to register, confirm your subjects and levels and then opt for the exams and/or the SEC Accredited Grades. Further details will be issued in advance. There will be no fees payable for the 2021 exams or for SEC Accredited Grades.

There is a lot to take in and think about over the coming weeks. It may be a difficult decision to make but remember you have nothing to lose by opting for both. Getting back to face to face teaching and learning will bring a much needed boost to those of you who have been struggling with working remotely and being back in the classroom with friends and teachers will bring a renewed sense of energy and reassurance in this really difficult time.