The specification for a new examinable Leaving Certificate Physical Education subject (the specification) and a new non-examinable Framework for Senior Cycle Physical Education (the Framework) were approved by me in February 2017, following development by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA).
Implementation of Leaving Certificate PE as a subject has recently been re-emphasised as a Government priority, having been included in last year’s Programme for a Partnership Government. The priority is to introduce, on a phased basis, the subject in a group of schools from September 2018. These developments are in keeping with the strong emphasis from my Department on promoting and encouraging Healthy Lifestyles for all students and commitments in the Programme for Partnership Government and the National Physical Activity Plan, reflecting the concern to ensure that all young persons in our schools engage in some form of physical activity.
In terms of identifying the schools to participate in Phase 1 of the implementation of Leaving Certificate Physical Education, it is proposed that an open call to all post-primary schools will be issued by the NCCA in December and a selection panel will then choose the schools to participate in Phase 1. Schools will be given the option to decide if they wish to implement the specification, the Framework or both. Schools will be provided with information in the December call in order to allow them make an informed decision. It is proposed from September 2020 that Leaving Certificate PE will be optional in all schools.
The Department and its agencies will continue with the development and implementation of a programme of CPD, supporting teachers in Phase 1 schools to ensure that they are in a position to implement the specification and the Framework from September 2018.
The timetabling of Leaving Certificate Physical Education (LCPE) and Senior Cycle Physical Education (SCPE) will be a matter for the school to decide. LCPE is designed to be taught in a minimum of 180 hours in total over the two years of fifth and sixth year. The SCPE Framework is designed to be taught over the two or three years of senior cycle education. It is recommended that a double period per week (approximately 80 minutes) is made available as the minimum requirement for teaching Senior Cycle Physical Education.
