The Leaving Certificate Applied is a two-year Leaving Certificate available to students who wish to follow a practical programme with a strong vocational emphasis.
Leaving Certificate Applied has as its primary objective the preparation of participants for adult and working life and the development of the participants’ literacy and numeracy skills.
It aims to afford Leaving Certificate participants an opportunity to develop in terms of responsibility, self-esteem, self-knowledge, self-confidence, responsibility, co-operation, teamwork, problem solving, independence, decision making and initiative.
The advantage of Leaving Certificate Applied is that it focuses on the talents of each individual student and helps students apply what they learn in the real world.
The two-year programme consists of four half-year blocks called Sessions and achievements are credited in each of these Sessions. Courses are offered in three main areas: Vocational Preparation; General Education; and Vocational Education.
The LCA Curriculum in Thomond Community College (* = Core, Final Exam)
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Vocational Preparation
Vocational Preparation *
Guidance *
English & Communications *
Vocational Education
- Mathematical Applications *
- Vocational Specialisms (complete 2):
- Hotel, Catering and Tourism
and
- Graphics and Construction Studies
or
- Childcare and Community Care
- Information and Communication Technology *
|
General Education
Arts Education: Visual Art
Social Education including SPHE*
Languages*
Year 1: Irish
Year 2: Modern European Language, currently Spanish
Leisure and Recreation*
Electives: 4 modules over two years
Year 1: Religious Education
and
Hair and Beauty: Beauty Care
or
Agriculture/Horticulture: garden Design
Year 2:
Technology:
or
Hair and Beauty: Beauty Care
and
Engineering: Motor Engineering
or
Craft and Design: Surface Pattern Design |
LCA has three modes of assessment as follows:
- Satisfactory completion of 44 Modules = 62 credits (Classwork = 31%)
- 7 Students Tasks = 70 credits (Projects with interviews by SEC= 35%)
- Final Examinations = 68 credits (Final exams in 7 subjects = 34%)
Total of 200 credits = (100%)
90% attendance is a requirement to achieve credits.
Students who successfully complete the programme are awarded a Leaving Certificate from the Department of Education and Science. The certificate is awarded at three levels: Pass 60-69%; Merit 70-84%; and Distinction 85-100%.
Students can apply for PLC courses, apprenticeships with LCA or go direct to Employment.