NCCA advises the Minister for Education on curriculum and assessment for early childhood education, for primary and post-primary schools. As part of the broader redevelopment of senior cycle, it is envisaged that a revised specification for Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science will be introduced in schools from September 2027. The Development Group for Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science will have a key role in this work. The group includes nominees of the education partners and other key education agencies.
Below you will find information on the subject development work including the background paper and brief for the review for this subject, and a note from each of the development group meetings.
The development group for Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science was convened on September 30th, 2024, and will progress the development of a new specification guided by the brief and the findings of the consultation on the Background paper.
Short descriptions of meetings that have taken place so far can be accessed below.
Following an initial consultation on a Background Paper in Nov-Dec 2014 and a Consultation Report in March 2015, a draft specification for Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science has been developed.
Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science aims to enable learners to:
- appreciate the natural environment and human interactions with it and the sustainable use of its resources, recognising the need for a rational and balanced approach to the exploitation of these resources in a local and global context
- recognise the need for, and global importance of, relevant strategies and policies for the agri‐food industry and identify opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship in the context of local, regional and world markets
- develop their scientific knowledge and skills, in the context of agricultural practices, and increase their awareness of health and safety issues associated with these practices.
The consultation report and the background paper can be accessed by following the links below.
- Background Paper and Brief for Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science
- Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science: Consultation report on background paper
The Agricultural Science Development Group consists of the nominees from a range of education stakeholders including teacher and management bodies, Department of Education and Skills, and the State Examinations Commission.
The Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science: Draft Specification is available here.
Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science: Draft Specification for consultation.