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Subject Framework

The aim of physical education in senior cycle is to support learners’ confident, enjoyable, and informed participation in physical activity now and in the future. Physical education in senior cycle builds on students’ learning experiences in early childhood, primary and junior cycle physical education. Physical activity, in its many forms, provides the medium through which students learn in, through and about physical education. The use of different instructional models in conjunction with those physical activities selected by a class group and their teacher is at the heart of teaching and learning in senior cycle physical education. 

Leaving Certificate Physical Education (Exam Subject)

The general aim of physical education in senior cycle is to develop the learner’s capacity to participate in physical education and physical activity in a confident and informed way. In Leaving Certificate Physical Education, learners have an opportunity to study physical education for certification. 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. While performance in physical activity is a central part of students’ learning in physical education, learners are encouraged to undertake roles other than that of performer. These different experiences support the development of each of the key skills in senior cycle education but particularly those of being personally effective and working with others. By developing the key skills, learners can move closer to becoming confident and competent participants in physical activity now and into their adult lives.  

There are three assessment components in Leaving Certificate Physical Education: A physical activity project, performance assessment and written examination. Differentiation at the point of assessment will be achieved through examinations at two levels, Ordinary level and Higher level. The performance assessment will be at a common level. 

Assessment