What changes could improve education in 2020?Ask Brian: For a change, here’s my wish list for the education sector in the coming yearMon Dec 23 2019 - 00:00
Ask Brian: My son is struggling with primary school maths. How can I help?There are some new online resources available linked to the curriculumTue Dec 17 2019 - 00:00
I teach in a Catholic primary school but I’m not a believer. Must I teach the sacraments?Ask Brian: This is a dilemma shared by many teachers because faith formation is part of the school day in most schoolsTue Dec 10 2019 - 00:00
Feeder schools: Six take-aways from this year’s figuresGrind schools may be drawing students away from some fee-paying secondary schoolsTue Dec 03 2019 - 01:00
My daughter’s school doesn’t offer transition year. Why not?Ask Brian: Some schools still seem to think TY does not fully engage pupilsTue Dec 03 2019 - 00:00
Feeder Schools: Ironing out statistical quirksHow is it mathematically possible for schools to show a progression rate of more than 100%?Tue Dec 03 2019 - 00:00
My son has dyspraxia. How can I ensure he’s supported in school?Ask Brian: Sharing personal data on children has become more complex due to GDPRTue Nov 26 2019 - 00:00
My son stays up late on his phone and is missing school. What can I do?Ask Brian: Secure family and school supports and prepare to take away treatsTue Nov 19 2019 - 00:00
Why are so many Leaving Cert students being upgraded?Ask Brian: Clerical errors can often be to blame – but there may also be a hidden factorTue Nov 12 2019 - 00:00
Does new core status for history in Junior Cycle mean other subjects will lose out?Much depends on how much teaching time is allocated to history under new changesTue Nov 05 2019 - 00:00
My daughter wants to drop out of college. Will it cost more to start a new course?Ask Brian: Repeat students who leave courses after October 31st pay a penaltyTue Oct 29 2019 - 00:00
Is it difficult to secure a college place in Ireland from abroad?Ask Brian: Students from other jurisdictions can apply through the CAO systemTue Oct 22 2019 - 00:00
Planning on attending an open day? Do your homework firstOpen days give you a great chance to gauge how good a fit your course and college choice will beTue Oct 15 2019 - 09:13
My son wants to go to a Dutch university. I’m worried he’s too young.Ask Brian: Courses abroad can pose a major challenge for ‘spoon-fed’ studentsTue Oct 15 2019 - 00:00
Ten things you need to know about college open daysPreparation can help you take full advantage of open day opportunitiesTue Oct 15 2019 - 00:00
My son is dyslexic. Does he qualify for reduced CAO points?Ask Brian: Dare scheme assists college applicants with disabilities - but entry points depend on individual coursesTue Oct 08 2019 - 00:00
My daughter missed out on college and is down in the dumps. What next?Ask Brian: Students should only apply for courses they are fully committed toTue Oct 01 2019 - 00:00
I go to school in the North. Can I apply to the CAO?Ask Brian: Entry is based on a candidate’s scores for their best four subjectsTue Sept 24 2019 - 00:00
I’m drawn to teaching, but some say it’s not lucrative. Can you offer any advice?Ask Brian: Love of learning is essential to a sustainable career in teachingTue Sept 17 2019 - 00:00
My son says he can’t appeal his Leaving Cert exam result. Can this really be true?Ask Brian: Marks for practical elements of some exams cannot be appealedTue Sept 10 2019 - 00:00
Higher Options: Prepare in advance and use your time wiselyThe value of the expo to school-leavers depends entirely on their level of preparation ahead of the RDS eventMon Sept 09 2019 - 00:00
I’m dyslexic. Will I be able to cope in college?Ask Brian: Students with additional learning needs can get specialist support at third levelTue Sept 03 2019 - 00:00
‘I’m a working parent and this year the cost of school is crippling’Ask Brian: Capacity of the State to order schools to reduce costs is questionableTue Aug 27 2019 - 00:00
Alternative career routes boost options for school-leaversPractical, hands-on courses offer career progression and skills enhancement outside the traditional CAO systemSat Aug 17 2019 - 19:00
CAO 2019: Adventure into adult life begins after eventful and emotional daysDisappointed? There are plenty of options for students who did not get preferred courseSat Aug 17 2019 - 01:11
CAO 2019: Seven take-aways from this year’s college offersBrexit uncertainty, the growing economy and higher grades evident in CAO pointsThu Aug 15 2019 - 19:40
CAO first round: So, you have a course offer – what now?Weighing the options: there are three possible scenarios when you log into your CAO fileThu Aug 15 2019 - 00:00
CAO 2019: What to do if you didn’t receive the offer you wanted?It is worth taking time to think about your options as there is no one route into a careerThu Aug 15 2019 - 00:00
CAO 2019: Think before hitting the ‘accept’ tab for unexpected offerMost students who drop out during first year do so due to lack of interest in the courseWed Aug 14 2019 - 18:19
Everything you need to know about the CAO process in 2019Thousands of prospective students who applied for third-level courses will receive offers this weekWed Aug 14 2019 - 07:43
Leaving Cert 2019: Disappointed? You have plenty of optionsAct quickly if you want to appeal a grade or sit a special second-chance maths examTue Aug 13 2019 - 18:58
Six take-away points from this year’s Leaving Cert resultsSteady increase in numbers taking higher level papersTue Aug 13 2019 - 09:02
What to do if you’re unhappy with your Leaving Cert gradesCheck your scripts if you think you should have received a better gradeTue Aug 13 2019 - 07:03
How to collect your Leaving Cert resultsThe 2019 results are out a day earlier than in previous years and students can choose how to collect themTue Aug 13 2019 - 06:58
Last-minute exam survival guide for pupils (and parents)It’s normal for Junior and Leaving students to feel overwhelmed by stress. Some simple tips can help you feel better preparedTue Jun 04 2019 - 00:00
Are iPads in the classroom really a good idea?Ask Brian: The jury is out – but it depends on how they are used and the quality of learningTue Jun 04 2019 - 00:00
CAO Q&A: Everything you need to know about the change of mind process in 2019Brian Mooney on how to approach the CAO process and get your course choice rightTue May 21 2019 - 09:33
I teach but can’t afford to buy a home in Dublin. Is moving my only option?Ask Brian: There is a strong case to ensure we provide affordable housing for critical public-sector workersTue May 21 2019 - 00:00
CAO decision time: Picking the right courseHere’s how you choose the best course and the right college for youTue May 21 2019 - 00:00
Key dates for CAO applicationsTimeline for the 2019 college application processTue May 21 2019 - 00:00
My son is obsessed with sport – are there any third-level options for him?Ask Brian: Sport often tops students’ aptitude profiles – though few go on to study itTue May 14 2019 - 00:00
Can my son get to university to study philosophy on 320 points?Ask Brian: There are plenty of options within the greater Dublin areaTue May 07 2019 - 00:00
My son no longer wants to take a gap year. Is it too late to apply to the CAO?The application deadline is May 1st – but applicants can change courses up to July 1stTue Apr 30 2019 - 00:00
Why business degrees are such a popular third-level choiceOne in every eight 2019 CAO applicants for a level 8 degree lists a business course as their first optionFri Apr 26 2019 - 00:00
How long must schools stay open in light of changes to Leaving Cert timetable?Ask Brian: Principals will face more demands on their time on foot of reformsTue Apr 23 2019 - 00:00
Will CAO points for law rise or fall this year?Ask Brian: More students are applying to study law this year so points are likely to riseTue Apr 16 2019 - 00:00
It it lawful to put my five-year-old on a reduced-hours timetable?Ask Brian: Limiting a child’s access to schooling is a failure by the education systemTue Apr 09 2019 - 00:00
My marriage break-up is affecting my son’s school work. Who can help?Ask Brian: Guidance counsellors are qualified to provide one-on-one supportTue Apr 02 2019 - 00:00
Does my Leaving Cert daughter need to be in the country for her results?Ask Brian: Students who wish to view their exams scripts will need to be presentTue Mar 26 2019 - 00:00
My son was born in the UK. Does he have to study Leaving Certificate Irish?Ask Brian: Exemptions depend on how long a pupil has been out of Irish education systemTue Mar 19 2019 - 00:00
