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Original poster

Leaving cert applied

20 replies

Wombi · 29/01/2023 14:30

Hi All. I am looking for feedback on the leaving cert applied. My son is 16 years old in May. He is doing his junior cert this year. He has absolutely no interest in study or school. He has mentioned the leaving cert applied several times to me. I know if he applied himself he could do really well in the traditional leaving cert. However I am worried if I pursue this route he will not stay in school. Any feedback on the LCA very much appreciated. Thanks

OP posts:
Crunchingleaf · 30/01/2023 21:54

The traditional leaving certificate isn’t for everyone. If he doesn’t want to do it and you ‘make’ him the chances are that he won’t do as well as you believe him to be capable of because he isn’t going to apply himself to something he doesn’t want to do.
A friend of mine has her own business and she did the leaving cert applied. My cousin is currently doing it and she is happy and is following her interests.
Talk to your son about his options and also to the school.
I did the usual leaving cert and have the degree etc but it isn’t for everyone.

Original poster
Wombi · 30/01/2023 23:38

@Crunchingleaf , I agree, we are meeting with the school this week to discuss options for next year so hopefully I will find out more information. Thanks you for your reply

OP posts:
Felicity42 · 30/01/2023 23:47

Does he not have a transition year?

babyinarms · 31/01/2023 00:09

@Wombi my ds is currently in LCA 6. He started 5th year but was finding the pressure too much ( even after a few weeks). He has a history of anxiety.

He mentioned LCA and to be honest I didn’t know a whole lot about it at the time.
I spoke with the LCA Coordinator and the career guidance teacher and they both thought ds would be a good suit to LCA and we’re very helpful and informative about the course.
I honestly don’t think he would have stayed in school any other way.
He’s now getting ready for his final projects and exams and he has a great couple of years. It suited him well and he wants to go on to do an apprenticeship.

For us, it’s been a very positive experience.
Best of luck with the decision.

Original poster
Wombi · 31/01/2023 06:19

@babyinarms , thanks for the reply, I am glad your son is having a positive experience. Its hard navigating it all at the moment

OP posts:
Original poster
Wombi · 31/01/2023 06:24

@Felicity42 , yes there is a transition year. However that involves another year in school. I know its a great programme as well

OP posts:
SparkyBlue · 31/01/2023 14:06

@Felicity42 if he isn't interested in school then adding another year won't help at all. I hated school and had no transition year as I just wanted to get out asap

gabsdot45 · 05/02/2023 21:43

My son was exactly like yours. He did TY and then LCA. He left left school last year and started an apprectiship which he loves.
My DD will also to LCA as she has SEN. It is an excellent program and is perfect for less acedemic students. Unfortunately it has a reputation for being for the dunces which is a pity. A lot of schools don't run it at all and those who do tend to have a very small class. There were only about 20 kids in my son's class.

Original poster
Wombi · 06/02/2023 08:57

@gabsdot45 thanks for your reply. There seems to be a perception in Ireland now a days that everyone goes to third level education, there is definitely more snobbery Unfortunately my son has gone from top of his class in primary school to absolutely hating school . I like the sound of the programme, it has a big emphasis on a 90% attendance rate so 👌 he will attend

OP posts:
babyinarms · 06/02/2023 09:28

Best of luck @Wombi. yes the 90% attendance is a great incentive to get them into school.
The work experience, one day a week ( not sure if all schools work it this way ) is great experience but also a very welcome break from the school environment.
i agree there is a lot of snobbery around LCA, even my ds was very worried about what his friends would think. Thankfully, his friends didn’t care and he’s still in contact with the lads who are doing LC and 2 friends followed him into LCA.

Best of luck 🤞

gabsdot45 · 06/02/2023 10:13

The work experience aspect is great. My son got his apprenticeship with the company he did his work experience.

Original poster
Wombi · 06/02/2023 12:19

Thank so much everyone, its a stressful time trying to get him motivated

OP posts:
BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 06/02/2023 13:19

My DS crashed out of school after junior cert, then he went to YouthReach which ended in a level 4 (LCA level) qualification. There are a lot of college courses available that can give a level 5 qualification (equivalent of leaving cert). He's doing a one year college course now that he's really enjoying, and at the end of the year he can use the level 5 that he will get from it to go on to higher level courses if he wants to. All of his contemporaries are currently in 6th year and doing leaving cert so he hasn't even particularly fallen behind, they will all have a level 5 qualification at the end of the year. DS doesn't want to go to university, but if he did then leaving cert isn't the only way in.

Original poster
Wombi · 06/02/2023 13:43

@BlackAmericanoNoSugar , that's great to hear

OP posts:
BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 06/02/2023 13:48

I think what really helps is that the college course is stuff that interests him and he's not having to sit in a classroom for subjects that he has no interest in and therefore finds it hard to concentrate on (he has ADHD and ASD). Plus, because the course is a fitness and health management type of thing, a lot of it is learning through activity and a fair bit of the assessment is practical rather than written.

Original poster
Wombi · 06/02/2023 13:52

@BlackAmericanoNoSugar , I guess it's like us all, we do better when the subject matter is of interest to us

OP posts:
Tempone · 06/02/2023 13:56

My son has a qqi level 4 in his school, it was the absolute best option. He is not cut out for school, academically he could have done the LC but it would have been 2 years of school and I battling with him.
As a result he is nearly finished qqi course work up to date, relaxed timetable and he has a goal for next year which is achievable and well on the way to happening. If he had done LC I am confident he would have dropped out if education.
The leaving cert is not the be all and end all.

Marblessolveeverything · 06/02/2023 14:22

There is ongoing work to ensure there is a place at third level for every learner. The idea to have a full offering from literacy level going through pre employment training to apprenticeship etc.

So respectfully I wouldn't rule out all third level options yet. There is a lot of work in third level to be inclusive and supporting to ensure all learners get their chance to reach their potential.

Original poster
Wombi · 06/02/2023 16:36

@Tempone same as I don't think I could or he could go through another two years of this. Its a continuous struggle. Thanks for your reply

OP posts:
SparkyBlue · 06/02/2023 23:09

Also OP the secondary school system doesn't suit everyone. I think I spoke about this before about a relative that did a very mediocre (or poor) leaving cert and certainly didn't go on to third level. He went working in a warehouse and now has by anyone's standards a very good professional career and is a lecturer in a university after returning as a mature student. Also a friend took her daughter out of secondary school this year due her her being absolutely miserable and she started youthreach and she is thriving.

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