LCA

The Mercy introduced the Leaving Certificate Applied in the academic year 2004-2005. This course is intended to meet the needs of students who are not adequately catered for by other Leaving Certificate programmes or who choose not to opt for such programmes. The advantage of Leaving Certificate Applied is that it is a practical programme that makes wide use of active and student centred learning methodologies.

The Leaving Certificate Applied is a distinct, self-contained two-year programme aimed at preparing students for adult and working life. The programme puts an emphasis on forms of achievement and excellence, which the established Leaving Certificate has not recognised in the past. In keeping with our school`s philosophy, the Mercy introduced this alternative Leaving Certificate so that the talents of all our students could be recognised and enable us to provide opportunities for development in terms of responsibility, self-esteem and self-knowledge. It is an innovative programme in the way students learn, in what they learn and in the way their achievements are assessed.

There are numerous opportunities available to students who have successfully completed the Leaving Certificate Applied. Annual surveys show that on average 89% of graduates are employed or attending further education courses in the year immediately following completion of the course.