Life, Community and Work 

 

At Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School, we are excited to offer the new Leaving Certificate Life, Community and Work (LCW) programme — an innovative and future-focused Senior Cycle subject designed to prepare students for life beyond school.

LCW replaces the traditional Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) and will be introduced nationally from September 2026. The programme combines practical learning, personal development, career exploration, enterprise, and community engagement, while continuing to support students in achieving valuable CAO points.

The LCW programme encourages students to become confident, adaptable, and socially aware young adults who are ready to thrive in a rapidly changing world. It provides students with meaningful opportunities to develop real-life skills, explore future pathways, and engage actively with their school and wider community.

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What Students Will Learn

LCW focuses on developing transferable skills and practical experiences that support success in further education, apprenticeships, employment, entrepreneurship, and everyday life. Students engage in learning experiences that promote:

• Personal effectiveness and self-awareness

• Leadership and teamwork

• Communication and presentation skills

• Career investigation and future planning

• Community participation and civic engagement

• Creativity, innovation, and problem-solving

• Enterprise and workplace skills

• Digital literacy and project work

Students are encouraged to reflect on their own strengths, interests, and goals while gaining valuable experience through practical and collaborative learning activities.

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A Practical and Engaging Programme

LCW is designed for students who enjoy active, hands-on, and real-world learning. The programme includes opportunities for:

• Work experience and career exploration

• Community projects and volunteering

• Enterprise activities

• Team-based learning

• Guest speakers and workshops

• Portfolio creation and reflective learning

• Research and presentation work

The subject allows students to connect classroom learning to real-life experiences while building confidence, independence, and essential life skills.

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Assessment

The LCW programme uses a modern approach to assessment, combining ongoing practical work with a written examination. Students complete an Additional Assessment Component (AAC) called a Portfolio in Action, which allows them to showcase projects, reflections, skills, and experiences developed throughout the programme.

Assessment is divided as follows:

• Portfolio in Action (AAC): 60%

• Written Examination: 40%

This balanced approach recognises a wider range of student strengths and talents while reducing the sole focus on final examinations.

 

Why Choose LCW?

LCW is an excellent choice for students who:

• Enjoy practical and collaborative learning

• Want to build confidence and independence

• Are interested in careers, entrepreneurship, or leadership

• Want to develop workplace and life skills

• Enjoy engaging with their community

• Wish to strengthen communication and teamwork skills

• Learn best through active and real-world experiences

The programme supports students in preparing for a wide variety of future pathways, including:

• University and Higher Education

• Apprenticeships and Traineeships

• Further Education and Training

• Employment and Entrepreneurship

• Community and voluntary work

 

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