Leaving Certificate Life, Community and Work (LCW) is designed to help students understand themselves, explore their future opportunities, engage with their community and develop foundations for life and work beyond school.
The course supports students in developing an understanding of their personal strengths, aptitudes, interests and achievements, while building the knowledge, skills and experiences needed to make informed decisions about their future educational journey and career path.
How is LCW structured?
LCW consists of two integrated modules, delivered over a minimum of 120 hours of class contact time.
| Module | Strands |
|---|---|
| Me and my Future | 1. Understanding Myself 2. Understanding my Progression Opportunities |
| Community and Work | 1. Appreciating my Community 2. Engaging with the Workplace |
The LCW Digital Portfolio
Students develop a digital portfolio from the beginning of fifth year through sixth year. It provides a unique record of their learning and development, supported by evidence.
The portfolio can include written work, reflections, photographs, videos, presentations, audio, projects and evidence of community and workplace experiences. Students share their portfolio with their teacher as it develops.
How is LCW assessed?
LCW has two assessment components. Both are common level and are set and examined by the State Examinations Commission.
| Assessment Component | Weighting | What it involves |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio in Action | 60% | Students draw on work from their two-year portfolio to respond to an annual SEC brief in Year 2 and produce an individual, multi-modal submission in a format prescribed by the SEC. The full portfolio itself is not submitted for assessment. |
| Written Examination | 40% | A written examination set and examined by the State Examinations Commission. |
Where can LCW take students?
LCW supports students as they consider and prepare for a wide range of pathways and experiences beyond senior cycle, including:
Further Education and Training, Higher Education, Apprenticeships, Community Involvement, Life long learning
Discover Yourself. Explore Your Future. Engage with Your Community. Prepare for the World of Work.