Leaving Certificate Physical Education

Development of a new specification for Leaving Certificate Physical Education has commenced.

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 - 2023 school year, when students had completed the curriculum and assessment arrangements as set out in the curriculum specification.
This early enactment review of LCPE was completed in 2023 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.


Reader’s note:

This report was approved by the Council in May 2023. It contains recommended responses to the findings of the review, which are outlined in tables 3 and 4 (pages 14 and 15). The recommendations in Table 3 were for immediate implementation, while Table 4 outlines recommendations for consideration by the Leaving Certificate PE Development Group.

Due to the acceleration of the redevelopment of senior cycle, announced by the Minister for Education in September 2023, the Leaving Certificate PE commenced its work in February 2024 alongside the other Tranche 2 subjects. This approach ensures that the updating of the curriculum will be aligned to the broader redevelopment of senior cycle.

The recommendation in Table 3 to remove Personal Exercise and Fitness as an option for the Performance Assessment will now be considered by the Development Group as part of its broader considerations. The recommendations in Table 4 will be considered in light of the broader redevelopment in senior cycle including the parameters for the design of Additional Assessment Components in the development of specifications for all Tranche 2 subjects.

The updated LC PE curriculum will be introduced in schools in September 2026.

Leaving Certificate Physical Education Play Leaving Certificate Physical Education

Leaving Certificate Physical Education is being introduced, on a phased basis, to schools in September 2018. 

The official launch of the subject took place on the 21st March 2018. Professor Mary O Sullivan gave the keynote address. A subject brochure is available outlining key aspects of the course.

Image showing the cover of the Leaving Certificate Physical Education subject brochure and some people playing football in the background
LCPE launch Play LCPE launch

Leaving Certificate Physical Education 

The aim of Leaving Certificate Physical Education is to develop the learner’s capacity to become an informed, skilled, self-directed and reflective performer in physical education and physical activity in senior cycle and in their future life

Objectives

The objectives of Leaving Certificate Physical Education are to develop the learner’s 

  • performance in physical activity 
  • ability to reflect on performance in physical activity 
  • knowledge and understanding of the factors which influence performance and participation in physical activity 
  • appreciation of the benefits of physical activity for lifelong health and wellbeing
  • capacity to undertake different roles in physical activities 
  • understanding of the principles underlying ethical participation in physical activity

 

The aim of Leaving Certificate Physical Education is to develop the learner’s capacity to become an informed, skilled, self-directed and reflective performer in physical education and physical activity in senior cycle and in their future life.

The Specification for LCPE is available here.

These materials aim to support teachers in teaching and assessing the learning outcomes of Physical Education. The ideas and resources provided here are not prescriptive, and teachers will discover many other ways of achieving the learning outcomes. The resources include links to websites, articles and videos.

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