Like many other teachers, students and parents across Ireland, it is safe to say that the leaving cert class of 2020 will find it difficult to forget this year.

The leaving cert means many things to different people and a lot of students rely on this qualification to give them opportunities for employment, apprenticeships or for further education - not to mention the sheer joy of finishing exams, celebrating with friends and the exciting expectations of having an amazing time at your debs.

When the government made the decision to cancel the Leaving Certificate, it was not a decision that was taken lightly, but it was one that was necessary for the wellbeing of students and their loved ones who are around them on a regular basis. Thankfully, this decision has been a welcomed one by the majority of students and their parents.

 

So, what do you need to do as a student?

Students have been asked to opt in for calculated grades through an online system at gov.ie/Leaving Certificate. There is now less than one week to register online as the deadline expires on Monday July 27th at 4pm.

  • Students who follow the Established Leaving Certificate programme opt in on a subject by subject basis.
  • Meanwhile, students who follow the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme (Year 1 and Year 2) opt in to receive your award in the full LCA programme and not for individual subjects, modules or tasks.

The department of education plans to issue results directly to students and schools via the online system on September 7th at 9am. This will provide students with the opportunity to move forward either to employment or to further studies within the 2020/2021 academic year.

If students are not happy with the Calculated Grade received in one or more of their subjects, then there is still an appeals process. In the meantime, the option of sitting the written exam will still be available to all students who wish to take the written exams in the new proposed leaving cert plan which will likely take place in November.

Calculated Grades have the same status as the Leaving Certificate results that have been awarded to students in previous years and there is no downside to opting in to receive a Calculated Grade if you are eligible to do so.

Arachas would like to wish everyone the very best of luck with this new grading system and we hope you all accomplish every success in your future careers.

If we can ever help with anything in the future like getting you on the road with our young driver insurance product, we would love to assist in any way that we can by giving you a quote.

Stay safe and mind each other.