Senior Cycle is the final stage of secondary education (ages 15-18), following the Junior Cycle, leading to the Leaving Certificate (LC) exams.
In Mountrath Community School we offer a number of options including Transition Year (TY) and different pathways like the Established Leaving Certificate (LCE), Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA), and Leaving Certificate Life, Community and Work Studies (LCWS) . It's a crucial period for developing higher-order thinking, life skills, and subject-specific knowledge, forming the basis for university or further education entry.
The Main Pathways are
- Leaving Certificate (Established): The traditional, most common route, focusing on academic subjects for university entry.
- Transition Year (TY): An optional, exploratory year between Junior and Senior Cycle, offering work experience and broad learning.
- Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA): A more practical, skills-focused program with state exams and module-based assessment.
- Leaving Certificate Life, COmmunity and Work Studies (LCWS): integrating digital learning, personal development, and enterprise.
- Senior Cycle Level 1/2 Learning Programmes (SCL1LP/SCL2LP): Personalized programs for students with specific learning needs.
What Students Do:
- Choose Subjects: Select 7 subjects from a wide range (e.g., Science, Languages, Arts, Business) for the LCE.
- Develop Skills: Focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, digital literacy, communication, and personal skills.
- Prepare for Exams: Sit state exams at the end of the final year, with results determining higher education offers.
Governance & Development
Senior Cycle Subject Choice Booklet
Leaving Cert Subject Information
Leaving Cert Applied (LCA)
Leaving Cert Vocational Programme (LCVP)