The Leaving Certificate Applied is a two-year Leaving Certificate available to students who wish to follow a practical programme with a strong vocational emphasis.  

It is one of three Leaving Certificate options offered by the Department of Education and Skills and was introduced in Coláiste an Átha in 2010.

The LCA 5th year Co-ordinator is Ms. C. O’ Shea.

The LCA 6th year Co-ordinator is Mr. R. Furlong.

There are currently two Leaving Cert Applied classes, a 5th and a 6th year class. There are 12 students currently enrolled in 5th year and 14 students enrolled in 6th year.

The Leaving Certificate Applied was introduced to recognise the talents of all students and provide opportunities for development in terms of responsibility, self-esteem and self-knowledge. It is an innovative programme in the way students learn, in what they learn and in the way their achievements are assessed. (The breakdown of assessment can be seen in the official Coláiste an Átha LCA brochure). The Leaving Certificate Applied is intended to meet the needs of those students who are not adequately catered for by other Leaving Certificate programmes or who choose not to opt for such programmes.

All LCA students in Coláiste an Átha study the following subjects:

  • Vocational preparation and Guidance

  • English and Communications

  • Mathematical Applications

  • Information and Communication Technology

  • Arts Education

  • Social Education

  • Gaeilge Chumarsáide

  • Modern Language

  • Leisure and Recreation

2011/2012 Elective Modules are as follows:

Year 1: Craft & Design module, Hotel & Catering module.

Year 2: Engineering module, Hotel & Catering module.

Each course consists of a number of modules. A module generally represents a half-year’s work and there is provision for some choice of modules. Choice also exists in relation to Vocational Specialisms. In choosing Vocational Specialisms in Coláiste an Átha the college tends towards practical subjects where skills are learned and developed.

2011/2012 Vocational Specialisms are as follows:

  • Agriculture/Horticulture

  • Active Leisure Studies

Note: The Elective and Specialisms may change dependent upon as Teacher’s area of expertise and/or Teacher/Student preferences.