Senior Cycle- Leaving Cert Applied (LCA)
- What is the Leaving Certificate Applied?
The Leaving Certificate Applied is a two year Leaving Certificate available to students who wish to follow a practical Leaving Certificate programme with a Vocational Focus.
The Leaving Certificate Applied is a distinct, self-contained Leaving Certificate programme. It is designed for those students who do not wish to proceed directly to third level education or for those whose needs, aspirations and aptitudes are not adequately catered for by the other two Leaving Certificate programmes (the Leaving Certificate established programme and the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme/LCVP). The Leaving Certificate Applied is structured around three main elements-Vocational Preparation, Vocational Education and General Education-which are inter-related and independent. This programme is characterised by educational experiences of an active, practical and student-centred nature.
The Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) is a two-year Leaving, available to students who wish to follow a practical or vocationally orientated programme. The word ‘applied’ is used because the programme is designed to allow the students to apply the learning and experiences they gain over the two years of the programme to practical educational tasks at school, in the workplace and in the wider community.
LCA stands for Leaving Certificate Applied. It is a two-year programme aimed at preparing students for adult and working life. It is marked differently to the traditional Leaving Certificate established programme but still is a gateway to third level education.
- What is different about Leaving Certificate Applied?
It is a practical Leaving Certificate programme which places particular emphasis on preparation for the world of work and life-long learning. Work experience is a significant component of the programme and students get to sample a range of jobs and get first hand experience of the world of work. The learning experiences are active and practical where students apply their knowledge, skills and experience to real life situations in the school, in the workplace and in the wider community.
The programme provides a wealth of opportunities which enhance the self esteem and confidence of students.
There is less emphasis on the final examinations as coursework is assessed throughout the two years and students' gain 'credits' as they go along.
Students' work and skill development is assessed in different ways including interviews, written, oral and practical components.
Four times throughout the two years students get a statement of their results from the State Examinations Commission. In this way they experience regular feedback on their success and achievement.
Programme Requirements:
The LCA programme consists of a range of courses, each designed on a modular basis. A module is of thirty hours duration. Each year of the two-year programme is divided into two sessions, September to January and February to June, to facilitate the modular structure of the course. A module within a given course is usually completed within a session. Over the two-year programme the participants will complete 44 modules.
LCA subjects in Kingswood Community College:
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Vocational Preparation:
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Number of Modules
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Vocational Preparation and Guidance-Career Guidance
Enterprise
Work Experience
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8
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English and Communication
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4
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Vocational Education:
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No. of Modules
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Vocational Specialisms:
Graphics & Construction Studies
Hotel, Catering and Tourism
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4
4
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Mathematical Applications
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4
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Introduction to Information and Communication Technology
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2
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General Education:
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No. of Modules
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Social Education
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6
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Irish (One Year)
Spanish (One Year)
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2
2
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Arts Education – Music & Drama
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2
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Leisure and Recreation
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2
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Elective Modules:
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No. of Modules
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Agriculture/Horticulture
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2
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Art
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2
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Total
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44
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NOTE: Students will undertake 2 two-week blocks of work experience in both 5th + 6th Year LCA.
How are students awarded Credits?
As students complete their LCA course they collect credits. It is possible to collect a total of 200 credits. A maximum of 62 credits are awarded for completing the required courses, 70 credits for the seven Student Tasks completed over the two years, and 68 credits for the examinations at the end of Year 2. Students who accumulate fewer than 60 credits will receive a Record of Experience.
Credits are marks given to students after the completion of Key Assignments. A Key Assignment is like a piece of homework each student must complete in each module or course. Each module has 4 Key Assignments that must be completed during each session over the two-year programme. For instance, Hotel, Catering & Tourism has a total of 16 Key Assignments to be completed over two years. Each module is awarded 1 or 2 credits depending on whether there is a terminal written exam.
NOTE: It is important to note that a student must complete all Key Assignments and have 90% attendance to pass each module in the various subjects on offer.
The LCA is awarded at three levels:
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PASS
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120-139 credits
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60-69%
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MERIT
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140-169 credits
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70-84%
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DISTINCTION
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170-200 credits
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85-100%
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Participant/student achievement is recorded in three modes:
A. Module Completion:
- At the end of each session the participant will be credited on satisfactory completion of the appropriate modules. In order to be awarded credit students must:
- Attend the classes and the out-of-school activities related to the modules and
- Complete the key assignments related to the module.
- No ranking of performance will be involved. As mentioned already, a minimum of 90% attendance is required. The school must verify where there is absence due to exceptional circumstances. It is very important that LCA students produce a valid reason e.g. a Sick Cert from a doctor.
B. Student Tasks:
- Seven Student Tasks to be completed over the two years.
C. External Examinations:
- At the end of Year 2 students will take final examinations in the following areas:
- English and Communications
- Vocational Specialisms (2)- Graphics & Construction and Hotel, Catering and Tourism
- Mathematical Applications
- Languages (2)-Irish is assessed at the end of Year 1 and Spanish at the end of Year 2.
- Social Education
What are student Tasks?
Each participant is required to complete seven Student Tasks over the two years. Tasks are like big projects with each task worth 10 credits. The Student Task is a practical activity and/or process of reflection through which the student integrates and applies learning experiences gained undertaking the LCA programme to some or all of the following:
- The development of a product
- The investigation of an issue
- The performance of an action
- The provision of a service
- The staging of an event
- Personal reflection
What are the seven Student Tasks?
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YEAR 1 YEAR 2
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Session 1
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Session 2
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Session 3
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Session 4
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1. General Education Task-normally anchored through Irish, Spanish, Leisure & Rec or Social Ed e.g. an investigation or an event (10 Credits)
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2. Vocational Preparation Task-normally anchored in Enterprise, e.g. a mini-company, or fundraising activity. (10 Credits)
3. Vocational Education Task-anchored in one of the Vocational Specialism courses, e.g. Graphics & Construction Studies. (10 Credits)
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4. Contemporary Issues Task-normally anchored by one of the Social Education teachers. (10 Credits)
5. Vocational Educational Task-anchored by the second Vocational Specialism courses, e.g. Hotel, catering and Tourism. (10 Credits)
6. Practical Achievement Task-a Task where students undertake a practical and/or enterprising task over a period of three months, e.g. completing a First-Aid course. (10 Credits)
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7. Personal Reflection Task, completion of the Reflective Statements year Two (10 Credits)
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Reflective Statement Year One
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Summary of the seven Students Tasks:
- General Education Task
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10 Credits
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- Vocational Preparation Task
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10 Credits
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- Vocational Education Task 1
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10 Credits
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- Vocational Education Task 2
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10 Credits
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- Contemporary Issues Task
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10 Credits
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- Practical Achievement Task
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10 Credits
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- Personal Reflection Task
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10 Credits
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OVERALL CREDITS
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70 CREDITS
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Allocation of Credits:
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Satisfactory Completion of Modules*
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62 Credits
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31%
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7 Student Tasks
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70 Credits
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45%
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Final Examinations
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68 Credits
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34%
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*With regard to the assessment component of Module Completion, modules in the non-examination courses will have a value of two credits. Courses also assessed in the Final Examinations will have a value of one credit per module.
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