Leaving Cert 2020 - What will happen?

Calculated grades and associated choices:

Information sheet for parents and students of the Leaving Certificate class of 2020

This information sheet collates and summarises key information for students and parents of the Leaving Certificate class of 2020. This sheet contains information on:

•     calculated grades

•     appealing calculated grades

•     sitting exams in November 2020

•     CAO offers

•     how to access support

All information is correct at the time of publication. Students and parents are advised to continue to check https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/d8920c-leaving-cert-2020/ for the latest information and updates.

Practical information to begin and focus action

My Examination Number is:                

My CAO Number is:                              

My PPS Number is:                               

My first choice for this year is:           

My second choice for this year is:     

Additional back-ups / options are:    

Calculated Grades

•     Available from 9am on 7th September 2020 at the Student Portal on education.ie https://lc2020.education.gov.ie/

Students will need their examination number, PPS number and account password.

•     These grades are OFFERINGS from the Department who are attempting to keep everything as 'on schedule' as possible during the global pandemic

•     Grades have been through a rigorous statistical process 

(similar to what happens every year)

•     Calculated grades can be used to allow you to progress to any pathway, just like any given year

•     Teachers may have given different grades than what is finally offered to students. Additional information will be available on student portal from Monday 14th September.

•     If students are not happy with grades, there are several options/choices they can make.

•     If students choose to sit one or more of the later examinations, the final Leaving Certificate will integrate the higher of the grades

•     These grades are provided in time for students who have applied through the CAO and the UK’s UCAS for college entry for the 2020/2021 academic year.

•     We do not know on the day of results what the points will be for certain courses

Appealing Calculated Grades

•     Students can apply to appeal between the 14th and 17th September 2020 (note - this is AFTER the CAO first round of offers)

•     Appeals will be made via the Student Portal on education.ie

https://lc2020.education.gov.ie/

Information will be added to the Student Portal over the coming days and weeks

•     Information on what the application involves will be available soon.

Check key websites such as education.ie, gov.ie

•     All aspects of data processing of calculated grades will be checked (it does not involve a review of the actual data/marks given to students)

•     Students will be notified of the result of the appeal on

•     If a student is upgraded in line with CAO requirements, they will receive an updated offer

•     A student may be able to take up the new offer for the year 2020/21 or can start in 2021/22

Key C.A.O. information

•     Offers will be made available by email / text only i.e. no posted offers

•     If you need to contact the C.A.O., the best way is to send an email and include your C.A.O. application number

https://www.cao.ie/apply.php?page=myapp

•     CAO Dates to be aware of:

•     11th Sept at 2pm: C.A.O. Round 1 offers

•     16th Sept at 3pm: Acceptance of C.A.O round 1 offers must be returned

•     18th Sept: Vacant places published by CAO

•     23rd Sept: C.A.O. Round 2 offers

•     25th Sept: Acceptance of Round 2 offers

•     1st Oct: C.A.O. Round 3 offers

•     6th Oct: Acceptance of Round 3 offers

•     8th Oct: C.A.O. Round 4 offers

•     13th Oct: Acceptance of Round 4 offers

•     HEAR / DARE information available at http://accesscollege.ie/ or contact the individual institution.

•     Deferral procedures remain the same (consult CAO handbook)

Sitting exams in November

•     Information will become available as time progresses

•     This is an option designed to accommodate students unsatisfied with grades

•     Students can sit one or all subjects, at their discretion

•     The higher of the grades will be taken

•     Start date: Monday November 16th

•     Evenings and weekends

•     Written assessment only following the ‘normal’ layout.

•     Some subjects will include assessment of work submitted prior to school closures (Home Eco / Design and Communication Graphics / Physical Education Activity Project / Engineering)

•     More information will follow on LCVP and LCA.

Impact on CAO: 

If grades increase, students will be provided with updated CAO offer and start in Autumn 2021.

•      No impact on fees or student grant

Sources of further information

•     Gov.ie

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/d8920c-leaving-cert-2020/

•     education.ie

https://www.education.ie/en/Learners/Information/State-Examinations/leaving-cert-2020.html

•     CAO.ie

http://www.cao.ie/

•     Colleges / University / Institute websites

Various

•     SOLAS

For information on apprenticeships

https://www.solas.ie/

•     SUSI

For information on student grants

https://susi.ie/

•     National Parent Council Leaving Certificate Helpline

For parents and students (7th-12th September)

1800 265 165

•     Adult Educational Guidance Services

https://www.ncge.ie/ncge/aegi-contact-details

Sources of support

Childline (ISPCC)

Ireland's 24-hour national listening service for young people up to the age of 18.

Freephone 1800 666 666 (any time, day or night)

Text 50101 (from 10am to 4pm every day)

Chat online (from 10am to 4pm every day)

Visit www.childline.ie for more information

Jigsaw

The Jigsaw Support Line is available for free mental health support and advice to young people aged 12 to 25 years old, and parents or concerned adults in Ireland.

Freephone 1800 544729 (from 1pm to 5pm Monday to Friday)

Text CALL ME to 086 180 3880, giving your preferred day and time for a call

(from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)

Email help@jigsaw.ie (for responses from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)

Visit www.jigsaw.i e or www.jigsawonline.ie for more information

Barnardos

Barnardos provide a national telephone support service for parents, in response to the challenges they are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Freephone 1800 910 123 from 10am to 2pm, Monday to Friday.

https://www.barnardos.ie/

SpunOut.ie

SpunOut.ie provides a wide range of articles and information for young people, on many different topics, including mental health.

Text SPUNOUT to 086 1800 280 to chat to a trained volunteer

(standard message rates may apply)

Visit https://spunout.ie/ for more information

Pieta House

Pieta provides free therapy to those engaging in self-harm, with suicidal ideation, or bereaved by suicide.

Call free on 1800 247 247

Text help to 51444

Visit https://www.pieta.ie/ for more information

Other

Reminder of timetable of leaving cert results:

7 September:  Issue of results to students and schools – available on student portal

7 September:  UCAS offers received by students

11 September: CAO offers received by students

14 September: Appeals process opens

14 September: Each student may gain access to the school’s estimated mark and calculated marks from Calculated Grades Executive Office