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Physics

Leaving Certificate Physics aims to stimulate and sustain learners’ interest in, and enjoyment of, physics while developing an understanding of the fundamental principles underlying physical phenomena. Learners will use their knowledge and understanding of physics to pose scientific questions, define scientific problems, and use scientific arguments and ideas to illustrate how humanity has benefited from the study and practice of physics.

The Draft Specification for Leaving Certificate Physics has been approved for public consultation.

The consultation period ran from Friday the 8th of December until Friday the 23rd of February, 2023.

The consultation involved in-depth engagement with a wide variety of stakeholders across Ireland. NCCA also contacted schools to participate in school-based focus groups involving teachers, students and school leaders.

The feedback from this consultation will help to inform the work of the Leaving Certificate Physics Development Group in refining the draft specification prior to final approval and publication.

A new specification for Leaving Certificate Physics is currently being developed.

The draft specification has been approved for consultation by council. Consultation timeframe to follow.

The first phase of the NCCA public consultation on the draft Background Paper and brief for the review of Leaving Certificate Physics, Chemistry and Biology has closed. The background paper and consultation report are available to download below:

The induction meeting for the new development group for Leaving Certificate Physics took place on September 13th 2019 in Athlone and a series of meetings will take place in the subsequent months.

Agreed short descriptions of meetings that have taken place so far, can be accessed below:

A new Leaving Certificate physics specification is in development. The current syllabus is available here. It is assessed at Higher and Ordinary levels.

The development of a new Leaving Certificate Physics specification began in November 2006. The draft specification was published for consultation in 2009. The consultation report is available here

The specification for Physics included a proposal for practical assessment. A trial of the practical assessment by the SEC was undertaken and completed in 2018. The draft specification was reviewed in light of the trial, and the consultations, but was not implemented.

The Physics 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.