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The Leaving Certificate results are out tomorrow and guidance counsellor, Billy Ryle, has advice on what to do next…
RESULTS
The eagerly awaited Leaving Cert results are out on Wednesday. They will be available early in schools and online from 12noon at www.examinations.ie.
The early indications are that Leaving Cert results achieved in Kerry are outstanding, so offers of third level college places will flood into the region next Mon, 20th Aug, when the first round of college offers is issued by the Central Applications Office (CAO).
Keep a close eye on the closing dates as CAO is making two rapid rounds of offers this year. The State Examinations Commission (SEC) is also making a generous gesture of transparency in accordance with the spirit of the new Data Protection legislation by allowing candidates to copy their Leaving Cert scripts by mobile phone, tablet or digital camera.
Continued below…
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VIEWING
It’s in your best interests to view your marked Leaving Cert scripts this year, so return the completed application form to your school by Tue, 21st Aug.
You will be assigned to one of the viewing sessions, which will be held on Fri, 31st Aug from 6.00pm to 9.00pm (Session 1), Sat, 1st Sept from 9.00am to 12.00 noon (Session 2) and Sat, 1st Sept from 2.00pm to 5.00 pm (Session 3). Make a copy of your Leaving Cert scripts at the viewing by mobile phone, tablet or digital camera.
If you wish to have any of your subject scripts re-marked through the appeal process, use the Appeals Application Service, which will be available from noon on Mon, 20th August.
Use your exam number and PIN on www.examinations.ie to access the Appeals Application form. Select the subjects you wish to appeal. Print the Appeals Application form after you have paid the appropriate fee and return it to your school no later than Mon, 3rd Sept.
The appeal fee is €40 (LC) or €15.50 (LCA) per subject. Results of Leaving Cert subject appeals will be released in mid-October.
CAO OFFERS
CAO Round One offers and points requirements will be available at www.cao.ie from 6am on Mon, 20th Aug. CAO Round One offers must be accepted up to 5.15pm on Fri, 24th Aug.
CAO Round Two offers and points requirements will be available at www.cao.ie from 10am on Wed, 29th Aug. CAO Round Two offers must be accepted up to 5.15pm on Fri, 31st Aug. Thereafter, any remaining offers will be issued until 17th Oct when the offer season ends.
The CAO vacant places facility opens on Tues., 21st Aug. (noon) at www.cao.ie. This facility is open to both those who have already made an application to CAO, whether placed or not, and to those who have not applied to CAO.
Persons who have not applied already may make a vacant place application on payment of a fee of €45.00. Persons who have already applied to CAO may apply for a vacant place on-line without payment of a further fee.
PLC
Interviews for Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses, which are practical and vocational in orientation, take place in the period after the Leaving Cert results are released.
If you haven’t applied for a PLC course and would like to do so, contact the colleges of your choice. The entire list of PLC courses can be found on www.qualifax.ie or www.fetchcourses.ie.
STATE TRAINING
If you are interested in an apprenticeship or a traineeship, register at your local Training Centre if you have not already done so. Check the Solas website, www.solas.ie, or Kerry Education and Training Board (KETB) website, www.kerryetb.ie, for further information.
If a career in agriculture or horticulture appeals to you, contact Teagasc, which provides a variety of courses in the agricultural and horticultural areas. The agri-food industry offers excellent career prospects at all levels. Teagasc website address is www.teagasc.ie.
Contact Failte Ireland at www.fáilteireland.ie., if you are interested in a career at the craft level of work in the Hotel and Catering Industry. Keep an eye as well on the CAO website, www.cao.ie, for vacant places.
GAP YEAR
Many young people take a year out after the Leaving Cert to gain work experience or to travel. A year out is a maturing experience and allows an extra year to make the transition from second level education. Colleges usually facilitate students who wish to defer taking up the offer of a course for one year.
REPEAT YEAR
If you feel that your results didn’t do you justice, it’s worth considering a return to school to repeat the exam. Most repeat students considerably increase their points. A more competitive result in the Leaving Cert exam might be in your best interests in the long run.
HELPLINE
If you need any advice, avail of the National Parents Council Post Primary confidential help line which will be manned by Guidance Counsellors. The help line operates on Wed, 15th August (10am-7pm), Thurs, 16th August (10am–7pm) and Fri, 17th August (10am-1pm) following the release of Leaving Cert results.
The help line will also be available on Mon, 20th August (8am-7pm), Tues,21st August (8am-7pm) and Wed, 22nd August (10am-1pm) following the release of CAO offers. The free phone number is 1800 265 165.
EYE ON THE BALL
The results dovetail nicely with the Rose of Tralee Festival so celebrate your achievement
but don’t take your eye off the ball. Be aware of closing dates, read your correspondence carefully and make all the right moves to allow a trouble free passage on your education journey. Good luck to all candidates getting Leaving Cert exam results on Wed.
TIMELINE
• Leaving Cert Results are available on Wed, 15th Aug
• CAO Round One offers and points requirements are available on Mon 20th Aug
• To view your marked Leaving Cert exam scripts, return your completed application form to your school by Tues, 21st Aug
• The CAO vacant places facility opens at noon on Tues, 21st Aug. at www.cao.ie
• Accept CAO Round One offers by 5.15pm on Fri, 24th Aug
• CAO Round Two offers and points requirements are available on Wed, 29th Aug
• Accept CAO Round Two offer by Fri, 31st Aug
• Viewing of marked Leaving Cert exam scripts takes place on 31st Aug/1st Sept
• Return the Appeals Application form to your school no later than Mon, 3rd Sept
• Closing date for receipt by SEC of Leaving Cert appeal applications is Wed, 5th Sept
• CAO offer season end on 17th Oct at 5.15pm
• Results of Leaving Cert subject appeals will be released in mid-Oct
• Many Post Leaving Cert (PLC) Courses still have vacancies
• Apply now to State Agencies for training courses
• Many schools cater for repeat Leaving Cert students
• The confidential help line free phone number is 1800 265 165
• Good luck to all candidates who will be getting Leaving Cert results on Wed
Billy Ryle is a Career Guidance Counsellor and freelance writer
