Leaving Cert Subjects
Leaving Cert | Leaving Cert Applied (LCA)
Practical Group
These subjects are 'hands-on' and involve working with tools and machinery on physical things like wood, metals and plastic. They may involve designing, planning and building things.
Science Group
These subjects demonstrate how to explore nature using carefully planned methods, and teach the basic methods and findings of scientific investigation.
Artistic & Creative Group
These subjects involve developing creativity and the appreciation of the work of others. This involves learning the methods and techniques of the subject and producing your own work using these skills.
Humanities Group
These subjects explore the ways in which humans live and communicate in the world. Human life is examined by looking at our past, our present and into our future. These subjects help people to express themselves clearly and develop their reasoning ability.
Social Group
These subjects explore common issues faced by all people living in society. They develop the skills and knowledge used to manage personal resources and guide human behaviour.
Lydia Peppard, Care Assistant
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
English, Maths, Irish, French, History, Geography, Home Economics, Commerce (now called Business Studies) - these were subjects that I did for my Inter Cert, (now the Junior Cert), I left school after this. The courses that I took that had career implications were English, Maths, Commerce and Home Economics.
The implications of these were that English is needed for communication, Home Economics prepares one for life experiences and Commerce gives one an understanding of budgets and financial constraints. The subjects are practical ones and have helped me in my career. In hindsight I would have gone on to do my Leaving Cert and would have done Biology as this would have given me a basis to go further with my career, such as studying for nursing.
Jonathan O’Reilly, Principal Social Worker
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
I know that these days there is a wider range of school subjects that might promote a social work career, in my day these didn’t exist. My strongest subjects were English (which has assisted in report writing and Court work) and Geography (which hasn’t really assisted at all), but it was the extra-curricular school activities that influenced my career path. Whereas I had entertained the idea of careers in journalism and drama, it was working with young tourists during the summer, and ‘Care Week’ in transition year that influenced me the most.
Louise Mc Donald, Private (Line)
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
I always knew I wanted to join the army as a recruit. Therfore my subjects in school did not influence my career. However I completed my Leaving Cert as it is important to have in case things did not go to plan. I also focused a lot on sports, I played Ladies gaelic for my local G.A.A and camogie. I had to keep a standard of fitness as that is one of the main requirements for the army.