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 Computer Science will be introduced in schools from September 2027. The Development Group for Leaving Certificate Computer 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 Computer Science was convened on September 30th, 2024. This group will progress the development of a new specification guided by a brief and the findings from research across other jurisdictions.
Short descriptions of meetings that have taken place so far can be accessed below.
Development Group Meeting 1: September 30, 2024
Development Group Meeting 2: October 23, 2024
Development Group Meeting 3: November 20, 2024
An early enactment review was scheduled to be undertaken by NCCA when the first cohort of students had completed the course but this plan was suspended in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It was not possible to commence the review until the 2022-23 school year, when students had completed the curriculum and assessment arrangements as set out in the curriculum specification.
This early enactment review of LCCS was completed in Q4, 2022 to gather feedback and explore:
- how the curriculum is being enacted and how it could be improved
- the student experience of learning and assessment
- how teachers are working with the curriculum.
The report on the early enactment review presents an overview of the consultation conducted as part of the review, followed by a summary of the findings. Based on the findings from the review, the report concludes with key insights and recommendations for modifications to the specification.
The updated specification was introduced to schools offering Leaving Certificate Computer Science from September 2023.
LCCS Subject Brochure and information videos
A subject information brochure for the national rollout of Leaving Certificate Computer Science can be used to inform and assist school communities in navigating through the Leaving Certificate Computer Science course.
In September 2019, six phase 1 schools, in conjunction with NCCA, created videos to inform and advise schools starting out on Leaving Certificate Computer Science in the national rollout. The videos are intended for students, teachers and principals. They are also suitable for informing the school community about the subject in general and also about a particular main theme indicated below.
| School | Sector | Main Theme |
| Abbey Vocational School, Donegal |
ETB | Student Voice (Real world applications) |
| Coláiste Bríde, Dublin |
Voluntary Secondary | How CS changes your thinking |
| Coláiste Na Ríochta, Kerry |
ETB | Making CS work for your school |
| Mount Temple Comprehensive, Dublin |
Community and Comprehensive | How CS changes your thinking |
| Presentation Secondary School, Tipperary |
Voluntary Secondary | Computer Science - beyond coding |
| St. Eunan's College, Donegal |
Voluntary Secondary | Classroom Collaboration |
Coláiste Bríde information video for schools introducing CS as part of the national rollout
Abbey Vocational School information video for schools introducing CS as part of the national rollout
Coláiste na Ríochta information video for schools introducing CS as part of the national rollout
Saint Eunan's College information video for schools introducing CS as part of the national rollout
Mount Temple Comprehensive information video for schools introducing CS as part of the national rollout
Presentation Secondary School Clonmel information video for schools introducing CS as part of the national rollout
Phase 1 Launch and Press Release
5th February 2018 saw the launch date for Computer Science, in the Alexander Hotel in Dublin. In conjunction with the official launch that morning, NCCA and PDST provided initial CPD to all 40 Phase 1 schools in the afternoon session.
View the Department of Education and Skills press release publishing the list of 40 Phase 1 schools and announcing that students in the Phase 1 schools will begin studying Computer Science in September 2018.
Subject Development Group
To provide a strong, representative and responsive basis for its curriculum and development work the NCCA has established development groups to undertake specific tasks in subjects. The Computer Science Development Group consisted of the nominees from a range of education stakeholders including teacher and management bodies, Department of Education and Skills, and the State Examinations Commission. View a short description of all development group meetings which took place from March to October 2017.
A new Leaving Certificate Computer Science subject was introduced, on a phased basis, to schools in September 2018.
The curriculum specification was approved in December 2017, and the official launch of the subject took place on the 5th February 2018. Professor Brendan Tangney gave the keynote address and Minister Richard Bruton officially launched the subject. A subject brochure was distributed at the launch, outlining key aspects of the course.
2019 The NCCA commissioned research into factors affecting the assessment of Leaving Certificate Computer Science through a computer-based examination. The paper can be accessed through the link below:
2016 To inform the development, NCCA commissioned research on the international provision of computer science at upper second level. The report on that research can be accessed by following the link:
Report on the provision of Computer Science at Upper Second Level Internationally