Depending on the choices our students, Wilson’s Hospital School offers a range of leaving certificate subjects including, Irish, English, Maths, French, German, Spanish, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Ag Science, DCG, Technology, Geography, History, Business, Economics, Physical Education, Religion, Music, and Art.
The Leaving Certificate is the final examination in the Irish secondary school system, taken by students at the end of their senior cycle. It is a key qualification for entry into higher education, employment, or further training programs in Ireland.
Here's a detailed overview:
- Structure and Curriculum:
The Leaving Certificate is a two-year program, generally completed in the 5th and 6th years of secondary school. Students study a combination of core subjects (such as English, Irish, and Mathematics) along with elective subjects of their choice, depending on their interests and career goals. Subjects fall into a wide range of categories, including sciences, languages, humanities, business, arts and practical subjects.
Subjects are offered at two levels: Higher Level and Ordinary Level. Students can choose which level to take in each subject, depending on their ability and goals.
- Examination Format:
The Leaving Certificate exams are held annually in June, with written exams forming the bulk of the assessment. Depending on the subject, students may also be assessed through practical exams (for subjects like Art and Music), project work (such as for Design and Communication Graphics), and oral exams (for language subjects, including Irish). The written exams are typically long-answer, essay-based, or problem-solving in nature, designed to test students' depth of understanding and knowledge.
- Points System and CAO:
The Leaving Certificate is graded on a points system, which is used by the Central Applications Office (CAO) to determine students' eligibility for university courses. Students earn points based on their performance in six of their best subjects. Students can earn up to a maximum of 625 points, with 25 bonus points awarded for Higher Level Mathematics if they achieve a grade of H6 or above.