SENIOR CYCLE REDEVELOPMENT – September 2026

Information for Parents
As part of national Senior Cycle Redevelopment, changes have been introduced to how students are assessed in the Leaving Certificate. This page explains what Additional Assessment Components (AACs) are, how they operate, and the roles of students and teachers in completing project work
1. What Has Changed in Senior Cycle?
Every new or reworked Leaving Certificate subject now includes an Additional Assessment Component (AAC).
AACs are designed to:
  • Reduce reliance on a single final written examination
  • Allow students to demonstrate learning through projects, investigations, practical tasks, or oral components
  • Support the development of research, analytical and practical skills over time
While AACs apply to redeveloped subjects, the same principles of authenticity, supervision and teacher guidance apply to project work and coursework in existing Leaving Certificate subjects.
 
2. What is an Additional Assessment Component (AAC)?
In many redeveloped subjects:
  • The AAC is worth at least 40% of the final grade
  • The remaining percentage is awarded through the written examination
  • AACs are marked externally by the State Examinations Commission (SEC)
  • The class teacher does not award the final mark
This ensures national consistency and fairness.
3. Student Responsibilities
Students must:
  • Complete all work as their own unaided effort
  • Follow NCCA and SEC guidelines carefully
  • Attend class regularly
  • Complete work under teacher supervision where required
  • Meet all deadlines
Plagiarism or unreferenced use of AI tools is considered a serious breach of examination regulations.
4. The Teacher’s Role
Under NCCA and SEC guidance, teachers act as:
Facilitators and Authenticators — not editors.
Teachers:
  • Teach the required skills
  • Manage timelines
  • Supervise work completed in school
  • Provide general, non-directive guidance
Teachers are not permitted to:
  • Edit or correct drafts
  • Correct grammar or structure
  • Provide written suggestions for improvement
  • Provide model answers
These rules ensure all submitted work is an authentic reflection of each student’s ability and complies fully with SEC authentication requirements.
5. Subject-Specific Guidelines
Each subject has its own official brief and assessment guidelines issued by the NCCA.
Parents and students are encouraged to consult:
https://ncca.ie/en/senior-cycle/senior-cycle-programmes/leaving-certificate-established/
Some relevant links for Senior Cycle attached.
Leaving Certificate Established | NCCA
Home – Oide
Post-Primary – Oide
Individual subject teachers will inform their students of all the necessary requirements, submission dates and marks allocated to these AACs (minimum 40% of Leaving Certificate subject marks).
If you or your son have any concerns in relation to the redevelopment of the Leaving Certificate, please feel free to contact me via the School Office.
Kind regards,
Declan Burns,
Senior Cycle Coordinator, 
St. Patrick’s College, Cavan.