Second Level

News and advice on the second-level education system.

‘Time for me to let go’: A letter to my son on his last day of school

Thousands of Leaving Cert students are approaching their final days in secondary school. For parents, the feeling is bittersweet

By Una CliffordThu May 18 2023 - 12:22

Overuse of smartphones ruining ability to study, say many secondary students

Social media platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram are most popular among students who spend several hours a day online

By Carl O'BrienThu May 18 2023 - 00:01

All second level schools expected to deliver sex education curriculum with focus on gender identity

While schools are expected to deliver the State curriculum the right of schools to uphold their ethos or characteristic spirit is also protected in law

By Carl O'BrienTue May 16 2023 - 05:30

I need to maximise my CAO points. Which is the easiest Leaving Cert subject?

Some subjects deliver higher proportions of top grades than other subjects, but that’s not because they are ‘easy’

By Brian MooneyTue May 16 2023 - 00:00

‘The pressure of juggling seven higher level Leaving Cert subjects is getting to Brian - at exactly the wrong time’

The Secret Teacher: The final goodbye to my Leaving Cert class is looming and I dread it as much as ever

By The Secret TeacherTue May 16 2023 - 00:00

Social media algorithms causing ‘profound damage’ to young people - Stephen Donnelly

Minister for Health says it is time to ‘get behind the curtain’ of how tech firms operate to be better able to protect children and adolescents

By Carl O'BrienMon May 15 2023 - 05:00

‘The level of anxiety we’re facing in schools is unprecedented’

Primary schools in Greystones and Delgany join forces to recruit a play therapist for pupils

By Carl O'BrienThu May 11 2023 - 05:00

My son’s school has no guidance counsellor. How can I help him choose the right Leaving Cert subjects?

There are practical steps you can take to identify what he needs to study for his courses of interest

By Brian MooneyTue May 09 2023 - 00:00

Leaving Cert exams: the dos and don’ts of the final countdown

There is still time to improve your grades if you approach the coming weeks calmly and strategically

By Brian MooneySun May 07 2023 - 00:00

Higher Options and Worldskills Ireland events to run side-by-side in RDS next September

Move will create largest ever concentration of career and study information for school leavers

By Carl O'BrienTue May 02 2023 - 08:00

In the classroom: approaching ‘1923′ in senior cycle

Many areas addressed by contributors in this resource link directly to the Leaving Cert syllabus

By Cormac Davey and Emma DugganTue May 02 2023 - 04:58

In the classroom: Helping Junior Cycle students understand ‘1923′

Many of these articles can serve as a pathway for deeper research on issues that pique pupils’ interest

By Daniel CampionTue May 02 2023 - 04:58

The Secret Teacher: A ‘thank you’ from a grateful student never fails to melt my heart

Missing obvious opportunities for gratitude is a mistake we cannot afford to make if we truly value our education system

By The Secret TeacherTue May 02 2023 - 00:00

‘I rent a double room for €250 a month. It’s three times that in Dublin. I feel incredibly lucky’

Studying abroad is growing in popularity due to a combination of factors such as accommodation costs and lower entry requirements

By Arlene HarrisTue May 02 2023 - 00:00

Exam authorities told to issue Leaving Cert results in August, Foley says

Late release of grades sparked last-minute scramble for accommodation and delayed start of academic year

By Carl O'BrienFri Apr 28 2023 - 15:54

Surge in student absenteeism rates in some schools since Covid

Concern over third year students, in particular, who have lost significant tuition time

By Carl O'BrienFri Apr 28 2023 - 14:19

Leaving Cert students who suffer medical emergencies during exams to be allowed resit

Move follows criticism from student who was not offered opportunity to resit exam after epileptic seizure

By Carl O'BrienThu Apr 27 2023 - 13:16

‘They gave us very strong values’: graduates reunite with nuns who taught them

Globetrotting class of 1986 at Cameroon’s Our Lady of Lourdes School gather to pay tribute to teachers

By Ellen O’DonoghueWed Apr 26 2023 - 20:47

From school principal to GAA chief: ‘I’m not against integrated education, but I am for Catholic education’

Former Armagh captain and GAA president-elect Jarlath Burns runs one of the most over-subscribed schools in Northern Ireland. What makes it so popular?

By Peter McGuireTue Apr 25 2023 - 10:25

New Junior Cycle curriculum will oblige schools to teach about gender identity

Move follows research which found sex education is out of date, too focused on biology and does not reflect the reality of young people’s lives

By Carl O'BrienMon Apr 24 2023 - 13:54

Junior Cycle reforms lead to ‘positive’ shift in learning but concern voiced over student stress

Pupils struggle to balance homework, classroom-based assessments and study for exams

By Carl O'BrienMon Apr 24 2023 - 03:30

Parents forced to pay up to €1,000 for digital devices in school despite cost-of-living crisis

University lecturer says wider debate needed about how technology is embedded in our schools

By Carl O'BrienTue Apr 18 2023 - 16:51

The Secret Teacher: Children who do not experience much kindness often experience it in abundance at school

Being available to students in varying ways can be very challenging. It’s why work life never really stops for a teacher during the academic year

By The Secret TeacherTue Apr 18 2023 - 00:00

‘I don’t see any sign of things getting better’: Soaring rents and living costs take toll on teachers

As Easter conferences get under way, issues such as teacher supply look set to dominate

By Peter McGuireTue Apr 11 2023 - 10:14

‘Teaching is an expression of self’: 10 reasons why I’m a teacher

Teaching demands an ability to think on your feet and respond to challenges and opportunities

By Deirdre McGillicuddyTue Apr 11 2023 - 00:01

Fourteen new degree courses to be unveiled outside CAO points race

Move is part of a drive to create other ways into third level without the pressing need to secure high points

By Carl O'BrienTue Apr 11 2023 - 00:00

Too many young teachers are back in their childhood bedrooms — if they are fortunate to have this safety net

Opinion: A severe recruitment crisis must be tackled, along with worsening retention problems

By Liz FarrellMon Apr 10 2023 - 00:15

‘It is an anxious, frustrating time’: Schools struggle to find qualified teachers for vacant posts

As teachers’ conferences get under way, supply, retention and pay rates look set to dominate

By Carl O'BrienMon Apr 10 2023 - 00:00

‘Highly sexual’ book to be removed from students’ sex education resource

Campaigners say publication is inappropriate for 12-15 year olds

By Carl O'BrienThu Apr 06 2023 - 05:00

Work to resume on almost 60 stalled new school buildings

Construction delays linked to high inflation had sparked protests from schools affected

By Carl O'BrienWed Apr 05 2023 - 15:10

The Secret Teacher: ‘We cannot talk diversity and inclusion and then limit choice’

We simply cannot get away with one rule for our students and a different one for ourselves

By The Secret TeacherTue Apr 04 2023 - 00:00

Libraries issued with instructions for securing buildings as protesters try to remove LGTBQ+ books for young people

Staff issued with instructions on securing buildings and alerting gardaí on foot of protests

By Carl O'BrienMon Apr 03 2023 - 05:00

‘Left out of birthday parties and sports’: Autism a barrier to making friends in school, study finds

Autism charity says findings highlight barriers facing people who want the same chance chances as others

By Carl O'BrienThu Mar 30 2023 - 07:00

An Cailín Ciúin study guide launched to help with Irish language education

Classroom activities draw on key aspects of Oscar-nominated film

By Shauna BowersThu Mar 16 2023 - 21:40

Amid all the heated argument, what exactly is happening to the sex education curriculum?

Toilets, uniforms, students’ pronouns and the curriculum are the subject of a polarised conversation

By Carl O'BrienSat Mar 11 2023 - 05:00

Q&A: How will Government inquiry into abuse at religious-run schools work?

Main purpose is to identify what survivors want to see happen next

By Carl O'BrienTue Mar 07 2023 - 18:50

Paul Mescal’s visit to alma mater wasn’t just a homecoming – it was a return to where his career began

Oscar nominee says his Maynooth school’s policy of ensuring all students audition was the catalyst for his career

By Carl O'BrienSat Mar 04 2023 - 03:45

I’m thinking of studying physiotherapy abroad. Can I still apply?

Ask Brian: There is still time to apply for most courses - although it is too late for some

By Brian MooneyTue Feb 28 2023 - 00:00

My son performed poorly in the mocks - and he’s panicking about his CAO choices

Avoid reading too much into the results. Much can change between now and exams in June

By Brian MooneyTue Feb 21 2023 - 07:00

Leaving Cert reform: English and Irish exams may change to clinch support for moving paper one to fifth year

Essays likely to be dropped from paper one of both exams under ‘interim’ changes

By Carl O'BrienMon Feb 20 2023 - 01:15

Can Norma Foley pass the first test of Leaving Certificate reform?

Wider senior cycle change will hinge on successfully moving English and Irish exams to fifth year

By Carl O'BrienMon Feb 20 2023 - 01:15

Fee-charging schools do not greatly enhance students’ chances of securing high CAO points – study

Factors such as family background, gender and school type ‘minor and marginal compared to individual variation in ability’

By Carl O'BrienWed Feb 15 2023 - 15:29

‘I was quite shocked’: Student gets record-matching 9 H1s after appealing Leaving Cert results

Caraíosa O’Farrell (18) matches joint-highest result any Leaving Cert student is known to have achieved

By Carl O'BrienTue Feb 14 2023 - 00:01

How boarding schools still hold an appeal for some modern families: ‘They’re on screens less’:

While the proportion of students who live away from home is declining, principals say boarding fosters skills such as independence and self-confidence

By Jennifer HorganTue Feb 14 2023 - 00:00

‘There’s a lot of hostility online’: How students are trying to make the internet a safer place

Teenage ambassadors for Safer Internet Day are educating classmates on the importance of empathy and respect online

By Carl O'BrienTue Feb 07 2023 - 03:00

The Secret Teacher: ‘I have never seen Aoife speak to another student’

The public needs to hear stories of isolation at school and how urgently they need our attention

By The Secret TeacherTue Feb 07 2023 - 00:01

My son is aiming for high CAO points. What if he doesn’t get the grades he’s hoping for?

He is right to aim high - but Leaving Cert students should keep all their options open

By Brian MooneyTue Feb 07 2023 - 00:00

Decline in students taking foreign languages for Leaving Cert

Government strategy aims to increase Ireland’s presence on the ‘global stage’ by boosting numbers studying languages

By Carl O'BrienMon Feb 06 2023 - 00:00

CAO points race: applications match last year’s high level

More than 78,000 applications for higher education courses this year

By Carl O'BrienWed Feb 01 2023 - 20:13

One in five secondary schools do not have a sports hall despite PE becoming exam subject

Provision of facilities must be priority given development and need to tackle obesity, says SF spokesman

By Carl O'BrienTue Jan 31 2023 - 18:23

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