The Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) is a new approach to education and training. Students apply their knowledge, skills and experience to practical tasks at School, in the workplace and in the wider community.

What are the aims of LCA?

The Leaving Certificate Applied aims to develop highly motivated and enterprising young people, It promises personal and communication skills, initiative and enterprise team work and high achievement.

Differences between LCA curriculum and established Leaving Certificate...

While many of the same subjects are studied they have a much more practical orientation in LCA. The curriculum includes the following.

General Education

• Arts Education (Drama and Art)
• Irish
• French
• Social Education
• Leisure & Recreation

Vocational Education

• Maths
• Information Technology
• Horticulture
• Hotel Catering and Tourism
• Construction

Vocational Education

• English and Communications
• Vocational preparation and guidance

Work Experience...

An essential element of the LCA programme is the placement of students with local employers for work experience. The students in CCS have had a wide variety of placements ranging from office work, joinery, catering, childcare and vetinary assistants. Throught these placements students have been better prepared for adult and working life.

Is LCA all work and no play...

The LCA student in CCS has plenty of interesting thing to do. In September of each year. We have gone to Cappnalea, The Burren and Kilfinene outdoor pursuits centre over the last number of years. Students have learned to canoe, sail, windsurf, abseil, camp and stay awake all night! This is a very important skill!

As part of class work students visit Fota Wildlife Park, local farms, Dáil Éireann, voluntary organisations in Cork City such as ISPCC and Compassion in World Farming. As well as being fun these experiences are central to the LCA concept of learning by doing.