Mission Statement of Leaving Certificate Applied
To promote the personal, vocational and academic development of students and to adopt a holistic approach to the development of the students thereby enabling them to be participatory and responsible adults, both in the world of work and in society itself.
Aims LCA:
The programme puts an emphasis on forms of achievement and excellence, which the established Leaving Certificate has not recognised in the past. Furthermore, it recognises the talents of all students and provides opportunities for development in terms of responsibility, self-esteem and self-knowledge. It is an innovative programme in the way students learn and in the way their achievements are assessed. Finally, it offers learners specific opportunities to prepare for and progress to further education and training.
The Leaving Certificate Applied focuses on the needs and interests of participants, using a variety of methodologies, making optimum use of the resources of the local community and paying particular attention to the needs of the local region. There is a need to recognise that individuals differ considerably in the ways they process, assimilate and recall information.
Scoil Mhuire Secondary School prides itself on utilising and promoting the key principles that underpin the LCA programme. These principles consist of:
- Student Centred Curriculum
- Personal and Social Development
- Integration Across the Curriculum
- Team Work
- Basic Skill (Literacy and Numeracy)
- Active Teaching/ Learning Methodologies
- Reflection
- Links with the Community.
Scoil Mhuire's LCA Programme aims to:
- Encourage students who would otherwise drop out or not achieve a Leaving Certificate to succeed (links to aims of DEIS).
- Prepare students for adult and working life.
- Recognise the talents of all students.
- Provide a wealth of opportunities which enhance self-esteem and confidence of students.
- Improve personal qualities.
- Develop transferable skills.
- Develop team working, organisational and negotiation skills.
- Promote communication and decision making skills.
- Encourage students to reflect on their experiences in the programme and to record these.
- Encourage students to apply their knowledge, skills and experience to real life situations in the school, in the workplace and in the wider community by participating in active learning.
- Enable students to learn about themselves.
- Enable students to make better plans for the future based on learning and prior learning.
- Improve Literacy and Numeracy- These two components are a significant part of teaching in all LCA subjects. Each teacher sets out their own specific goals linked to improving students understanding and usage of literacy and numeracy in everyday life.
- To assess the progress of the students on an ongoing basis. Students are assessed throughout the 2 years
- To develop the students social awareness and capacity to communicate with others in work/social environments.
- Improve access to Further Education.