Context
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 reform of Senior Cycle, it is envisaged that a new specification for LC Latin and Ancient Greek (Classical Languages) will be introduced in schools from September 2024. The Development Group for Leaving Certificate Classical Languages will have a key role in this work. The Group includes nominees of the education partners, the Department of Education and other key education agencies.
The first step in the development of Leaving Certificate Classical Languages was the research and publication of a Background paper and Brief (November 2020) for the review of the subject.
A public consultation on the Background Paper and brief took place from 15th December 2020 to 15th February 2021 and a report on the consultation was published in April 2021.
Consultation Report on the Background Paper
The development group for Leaving Certificate Classical Languages was convened on 11th November 2020 and progressed the development of two new specifications guided by the brief and the findings of the consultation on the Background paper.
Ancient Greek Draft Specification
A public consultation on the draft specifications for Leaving Certificate Classical Languages (Latin and Ancient Greek) took place from 19th October 2021 to 18th January 2022 and a report on the consultation was published in February 2022.
Public Consultation on Draft Specifications
NCCA Council paused the work of Senior Cycle Development Groups in May 2022 to allow for further research on curriculum development and assessment, arising from the publication of the Senior Cycle Review: Advisory Report (NCCA, March 2022). On completion of this research the Development Group for Classical Languages was reconvened in May 2023.
The guiding principles, as described in the Advisory Report, provide a touchstone for the Development Group as they undertake the task of preparing curriculum specifications for Leaving Certificate Classical Languages.