Senior Cycle

Curriculum Overview

Senior Cycle at Davitt College

The Senior Cycle empowers students to take ownership of their future. We focus on a dynamic education that balances academic achievement with the newly redeveloped curriculum, practical skills, and readiness for life beyond school.

As part of national educational updates, senior cycle subjects are actively transitioning to the Senior Cycle Redevelopment framework, bringing modern specifications, updated assessment approaches, and enhanced learning paths.

Core Curriculum

The 7 Key Competencies of Senior Cycle

The Junior Cycle places the student at the centre of the learning process. We focus on a broad education that balances academic achievement with wellbeing, life skills, and readiness for Senior Cycle. As students transition into their final years at Davitt College, this foundation evolves. The Senior Cycle is built around seven Key Competencies – the knowledge, skills, values, and dispositions students need to thrive. These competencies empower young adults to participate meaningfully in society and successfully transition to higher education, apprenticeships, or the world of work.

Thinking and Solving Problems

Using logic and reason to make well-thought-out decisions, explore data, and apply critical thinking to both familiar and new situations.

Being Creative

Coming up with novel ideas and solutions by embracing divergent thinking, human imagination, and a willingness to take appropriate risks in learning.

Communicating

Meaningfully interacting with others and sharing ideas effectively through various tools, formats, and media for different audiences.

Working with Others

Cooperating in pairs and teams to achieve shared goals while appreciating diversity, managing group dynamics, and promoting inclusivity.

Managing Learning and Self

Setting personal goals, reflecting on progress, and making informed, autonomous choices regarding future educational and career paths.

Participating in Society

Engaging meaningfully with local and global communities, advocating for positive change, and making choices that contribute to sustainable futures.

Cultivating Wellbeing

Nurturing physical and emotional health, coping with the normal stresses of life, building resilience, and supporting the wellbeing of others.

Academic Pathways

Senior Cycle Curriculum

Core Subjects

The essential academic foundation of the Leaving Certificate, taken by all traditional Senior Cycle students.

Optional Subjects

Students select their specialized Leaving Certificate options from our extensive departmental suite:

Non-Exam & Guidance

Dedicated weekly pillars focusing on mental health, personal values, and comprehensive post-school career planning.

Advisory Guide

Fifth Year Subject Choice Presentation

Navigating the transition to Senior Cycle and selecting the right subjects is a vital step for our incoming Fifth Year students. To assist families in making informed decisions, we highly recommend watching our detailed subject choice presentation. This guide walks you through the options available, university entry requirements, and practical advice on choosing subjects that align with a student’s strengths and future career goals.

Fifth Year Subject Choice Presentation
Watch Presentation (14 min)
Student focused on study and academic assessment at Davitt College
Evaluation Framework

Senior Cycle Assessment

The redeveloped Senior Cycle fundamentally transforms how student achievement is recognised. Moving away from the pressure of a single terminal exam, the Leaving Certificate now blends traditional written papers with Additional Assessment Components (AACs) worth at least 40% of the final grade – rewarding practical skills, continuous investigative work, and spreading the workload across the two years.

Introduced under the National Senior Cycle Redevelopment, AACs account for at least 40% of the final marks in revised subjects. Completed during 5th and 6th year, these coursework briefs, research projects, and practical investigations are externally marked by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), drastically reducing the high-stakes pressure of final June exams.
Inclusive Education

Specialised Programmes & Courses

Life, Community and Work (LCW)

Now open to all students, LCW (replacing LCVP for the 2026 cohort) combines traditional Leaving Certificate academics with real-world personal effectiveness. Students master career planning, active citizenship, and a live work placement—assessed via a 60% digital portfolio and 40% final exam.

Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA)

A distinct, highly practical two-year route centered on continuous assessment, modular study, and task-based learning. Fully redeveloped for greater flexibility, LCA students can now also choose to study standard Leaving Certificate Established Mathematics and Modern Foreign Languages.

Level 1 & 2 Learning Programmes

State Examinations Commission (SEC) certified, highly personalised programmes designed for students with specific educational needs. The curriculum focuses on priority learning units, building individual independence, and equipping young adults with practical life skills.

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