At HCCS, we offer the Leaving Certificate Applied at Senior Cycle and also to adult groups. 

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

Why was the Leaving Certificate Applied introduced?
The Leaving Certificate Applied was introduced to recognise the talents of all students and provide opportunities for development in terms of responsibility, self-esteem and self-knowledge. It is an innovative programme in the way students learn, in what they learn and in the way their achievements are assessed.

Who would benefit most from the Leaving Certificate Applied?
The Leaving Certificate Applied is intended to meet the needs of those students who are not adequately catered for by other Leaving Certificate programmes or who choose not to opt for such programmes.

What is the advantage of the Leaving Certificate Applied?
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.

Do students have a choice within the Leaving Certificate Applied?
Each course consists of a number of modules. A module generally represents a half-year’s work and there is provision for some choice of modules. Choice also exists in relation to Vocational Specialisms. Two courses are selected from the following Vocational Specialisms:

Agriculture/Horticulture
Hotel Catering and Tourism
Engineering
Technology
Office Administration and Customer Care
Childcare/Community Care
Graphics and Construction Studies
Craft and Design
Hair and Beauty
Information and Communications Technology
Active Leisure Studies
Four elective modules must also be chosen

 For further information, please see www.lca.slss.ie or contact Leonie Warren (LCA co-ordinator) at the school.