LAST UPDATE | 2 Sep 2022

THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS across the country opened their Leaving Cert results this morning, with the overall set of results in the aggregate for this year fixed to be no lower than last year.

Across all subjects the proportion of students receiving a H1 was 14.4%, compared to last year’s 14.3%.

Students have had their results adjusted upwards in order to not lag behind last year’s grades, with 50.5% of grades increased by one grade, a H3 result to a H2 result for example.

58,056 students took part in the Leaving Cert or Leaving Cert Vocational Programme this year, and 3,051 participated in the Leaving Cert Applied Programme.

The Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) congratulated the more than 61,000 people who got their grades today and highlighted “the wide breadth of options open to school-leavers”.

Results went live to candidates through the Candidate SelfService Portal at 10am.

The CAO offers will come on 8 September and round two offers will follow on 19 September.

Education Minister Norma Foley congratulated students at Killarney Community College, where she met members of the Leaving Certificate class of 2022, and announced that changes will be made to State examinations in 2023.

Subject specific adjustments will be issued to schools next week which are designed to limit the disruption of the pandemic for students who were in third year when the pandemic began.

These changes will be similar to adjustments announced last year for students who sat this year’s state exams, such as reducing preparatory work for practical exams and removing sections from written exams. 

“I am keen to give as much clarity and certainty as possible to students this week as they begin the school term. I acknowledge that the Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle exam class of 2023 have experienced disruption in their learning at an important stage, as a result of the pandemic,” she said.

‘No cliff edge’ for class of 2023

She said there will be “no cliff edge” for grades in next year’s Leaving Certificate, adding that “very similar” accommodations will be made for the class of 2023 that were made for this year’s students due to the disruption to their schooling by the pandemic.

“For the class of 2023 I can confirm today that accommodations will be made for them in the exam papers, very similar to the accommodations that were announced in August of 2021,” Foley said.

“That’s an acknowledgement that those students have experienced challenges too, not on a par to the class of ’22 but they have experienced challenges.

“There will be no cliff edge for the students in terms of grade inflation.”

The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) has welcomed the changes, with ISSU President Caitlin-Faye Maniti calling them “vital to giving students the opportunity to put their best foot forward.”

The percentage of students with a H1 grade in Higher Level Irish increased from 11.9% last year to 12.7% this year, according to the State Examination Commission’s provisional data.

Irish has had one of the largest increases in top grades since the pandemic, more than doubling since 2019 when 6.1% of students got a H1.
7.2% of students got a H1 in English, roughly the same as last year’s 7.6%.

Top grades in Maths have risen to 18.1% from 15.1% in 2021.
17.3% of History students got a H1, 10.5% of Geography students and 14.1% of French students.

It’s the third year in a row that Leaving Cert results and CAO offers examination won’t be available until early September, later than the usual mid-August date, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

1. Congratulations to every student receiving their results today. You have reached this significant milestone in your education journey and that alone is an enormous achievement. Congratulations to one and all of you

— Norma Foley T.D (@NormaFoleyTD1) September 2, 2022

TUI president Liz Farrell criticised the “CAO points obsession” and urged people not to be defined by the number of points they receive.

She said: “‘At this time every year, much of the focus and discourse relates to points and points only.

“Students should remember that these numbers do not define them as a person, they are simply a regrettable result of our national obsession with progression to third level, an obsession that often distracts from the true meaning of education.

“Nowadays, with social media on everyone’s fingertips. that can really add undue stress to a lot of students.

“We congratulate all students receiving their results today and commend the resilience that they have shown in what were unprecedented, uncertain and unpredictable times. We want to acknowledge their hard work, their achievements and their commitment and diligence in difficult circumstances.

“Regardless of where they go from here, we have no doubt that the fortitude they have displayed will benefit them in the years to come.”  

Data from the SEC showed that 397 candidates were eligible to sit deferred examinations in 30 regional centres across the country. 

43 were due to bereavement, 84 due to serious medical condition and 270 on foot of public health advice due to Covid-19.

The National Parents Council Post Primary have opened a Leaving Cert Helpline from 2pm this afternoon to provide guidance and advice for students and parents on 1800 265 165.

The Department of Foreign Affairs will be holding a walk-in service for Leaving Cert students whop need their results authenticated for for use in other countries.

No appointments are necessary and the service will be active from 5– 8 September at the Department’s Offices at 42-47 Lower Mount St, Dublin.

Minister Foley also congratulated those getting their results in a statement on Twitter this morning:

“Congratulations to every student receiving their results today. You have reached this significant milestone in your education journey and that alone is an enormous achievement.”

“Congratulations to one and all of you. Thanks to your families, your teachers and your school communities for the support they have shown you over the course of your Senior Cycle pathway. Throughout your school journey each of you will have learned so much. Be proud of that. Now begins the next exciting chapter.”

Warnings

The HSE is urging that young people under 18 should avoid alcohol altogether and those that choose to drink should plan ahead, monitor and minimise their alcohol intake and stay safe and avoid drugs.

The HSE is also advising parents to have a brief focused conversation about personal safety and alcohol and drug use with young people prior to their exam celebrations.

Dr Bobby Smyth, HSE Adolescent Addiction Psychiatrist, has this message for young people;

“Whether going to a party, pub or club, be aware to pace yourself. A single cocktail, for example, can contain up to 3 standard drinks. This takes a full 3 hours for your body to break down, so it’s easy to see how we can overdo it quite quickly.

“Taking water breaks between drinks is a big help, and eating before and during a day/night out is also crucial. If you’re starting to feel loss of control, it’s time to stop drinking alcohol.

“As always, it’s important to look after your friends. Don’t let someone go off on their own if they’re drunk or high, in case of an accident, or getting into an unsafe situation. Try to stay in groups of at least three, and make sure you check where your friends are if someone seems to be missing.”

Mental Health

Turn2Me, a national mental health charity, is also urging students across the country to use its services when they get their results.

The charity said it runs free support groups most evenings at 6pm and a free ‘Thought Catcher’ online mood diary every day from 2pm until 8pm where people can post about how they’re feeling about their results.

Fiona O’Malley, CEO of Turn2Me, said: “A period of significant transition in a person’s life brings feelings of trepidation and uncertainty. Many people find this period overwhelming. Turn2Me offers free, professional mental health services 365 days a year for people over the age of 12 in Ireland.

“I would encourage any young person, and indeed, any parents, who feel nervous about tomorrow’s leaving cert results to use our mental health services. Our support groups and our Thought Catcher services have no waiting lists, so people can sign up on our website, Turn2Me.ie, and start using these services very quickly.”

Additional reporting by the Press Association