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Predicted grades
Your questions answered here.

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Introduction

The purpose of this page is to provide as much clarity as possible on the decisions made about the 2020 Leaving Certificate , Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) and Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) examinations.

Key decisions

The decision has been taken to postpone Leaving Certificate 2020 and to offer students a system of Calculated Grades.

Calculated grades will be offered to students completing Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) or Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) in 2020. The calculated grades process will apply for the Link Modules of the LCVP. LCA students will be provided with calculated grades for subjects, tasks and vocational specialisms due to be completed in 2020.

You can read the full guide to calculated grades for Leaving Certificate students 2020 here.

Information for Leaving Cert Students

You will have heard about the Government decision in relation to the 2020 Leaving Certificate.

In order to help answer some of the questions we have provided this guide to help explain why we have reached this decision, what it means for students, parents and teachers and how it will happen.

Our primary focus at all times has been what is in the best interests of students and those involved in running the exams. Fairness and equity is at the heart of this decision.

These are unprecedented times and we are having to take decisions like never before.

This guide will be updated from time to time so please check back.

1. What has been announced and why?

The 2020 Leaving Certificate written examinations previously scheduled to start on 29 July have been postponed. Students will now be offered Calculated Grades. They will also have the opportunity to sit the exams at a later stage when it is safer to do so.

After detailed consideration, it is the Department's firm assessment that running the exams poses too great a risk to students, their families and those involved in running them.

The logistics of holding the exams, with all the precautions that would have to be put in place to prevent the risk of further infection, would mean that they would not be held under normal conditions.

2. Is there going to be a Leaving Certificate 2020?

Yes. All students will be given the option to receive a State Certificate of Calculated Grades in each subject. It will have the same status as Leaving Certificates awarded to students in previous years.

Students will also have the opportunity to sit the conventional Leaving Certificate examination if they wish at the earliest safe and practical time.

3. Why were the exams not moved online or changed to allow people to sit shorter papers?

Many different scenarios have been considered over a number of weeks, each with their flaws and faults.

There is no perfect solution to this unprecedented challenge.

Online exams; shortened papers; fewer examinations - none of these options would have been as fair an assessment as the Calculated Grades model. They would also have been markedly different from previous Leaving Certificate examinations and from what students and their teachers are familiar with and have been preparing for in terms of structure, format and content, over the past two years.

Changes like those would have called into question the validity of the state examinations this year.

4. How will the system of Calculated Grades work?

Calculated Grades will be generated using a systematic statistical model. It will combine estimates of a student's expected performance with the school's statistical profiles of achievement in a subject and level, in line with national performance standards over time.

The first source of data will be provided by the subject teacher. It will then be aligned in the school, with teachers consulting on the results before the principal reviews the process applied to assure the fair treatment of students. The school then sends the data to the Department of Education and Skills.

A more detailed document A Guide to Calculated Grades for Leaving Certificate students 2020 will explain further how the system will work.

There will be strong oversight and control and a number of inherent quality assurance measures to ensure students receive as fair a result as possible.

5. How will the calculated grades approach work for the Leaving Cert Applied (LCA) and Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP)?

LCA students have already completed a lot of their assessments. These results are already held by the students. Calculated grades will be used for outstanding assessments, including subjects, vocational specialisms and tasks due to be completed in the current LCA session.

Students will be provided with a calculated grade for the LCVP Link Modules.

6. What information will schools be asked to provide for each student?

Teachers will be asked to provide an estimated percentage mark for each student for each subject. Students will also be put in a rank order in their class.

Teachers are being asked to use draw on existing records and available evidence, to provide a fair, reasonable and carefully considered judgement of the most likely percentage mark that each student would have achieved if they had sat their examinations and completed coursework under normal conditions.

Teachers will NOT be simply passing on results from mock examinations or other tests.

Schools will then align this data before it is passed on to the Department of Education and Skills.

7. What evidence will teachers use to support their judgements?

Teachers will use a number of records of a student's performance and progress; for example, classwork and homework; class assessments; examinations in school, at Christmas or summer, mock exams and also coursework.

A guidance document will be available for teachers.

8. Can I appeal the outcome?

Yes. The appeal will involve checks on school-entered data, correct transfer of that data to the Department, and a review that it was correctly received and processed by the Department. If a student remains dissatisfied at the end of this process they can seek verification of the Department's processes by independent appeal scrutineers.

Under the Calculated Grades system, the percentage mark provided by the teacher cannot be reviewed.

All students will retain the option to sit a Leaving Certificate examination at a later stage when it is safe and practicable to do so.

9. Will students be able to see a record of the percentage mark that the school has given?

Yes. Students will have access to the school-based data in the event that they appeal.

In the detailed guidance that we are providing to schools and teachers we will be making it very clear that schools should not disclose the estimated marks or rank orders to students or to their parents/guardians.

10. Will teachers be using Junior Cycle results?

No. Junior Cycle results are not being used at an individual student level. They are only being used at a group level as part of the process of standardising across schools.

11. What if there is a conflict of interest, e.g. a teacher who teaches a relative or a friend's son or daughter?

If a teacher has a real or perceived conflict of interest with a student in their class they must declare this to school principal.

There will be additional oversight by a nominated teacher and a deputy principal in such cases.

12. What actually happens in the statistical standardisation process?

After the estimated percentage marks are received from all schools, the Department will analyse them and carry out a process of standardisation.

We will compare the school's profile of achievement at Leaving Certificate over the past three years to the national standards, to build up a picture of school performance. We will also review the performance of this year's group of students against their overall performance at Junior Cycle.

This then allows us to check whether the estimated percentage marks in each subject from the school are reasonable, in light of performance in that subject in recent years. Therefore, the alignment of marks upwards or downwards will be based on more than one single piece of information.

13. How will the system ensure that student's individual achievements are fairly rewarded?

The calculated grade system depends on the differences between students being accurately reflected in the school-based data. For example, if there is a student in a class group who performs better than the other students in the class group then this difference should be reflected in the estimated percentage marks assigned by the school.

However, we will also carry out other checks to identify any cases where there might be something unusual about an individual's estimated mark. .We will follow up on these cases to check whether there is a good reason and give the school a chance to change the estimated mark if necessary.

14. Will marks or rank order change in the standardisation process?

We expect that some estimated marks may change, to at least some degree. Although some will change more than others depending on the quality of the data we receive from schools.

The ranking ordering of students by the school in their class grouping will be retained in the process, so students will keep their position relative to each other.

After this standardisation and all follow-on checks have been completed, the estimated mark supplied by the school is transformed into calculated mark. We then use this to generate a calculated grade.

15. Isn't the calculated grades model inherently unfair?

No. It is the fairest way possible to tackle the effects that lack of schooling and other problems caused by Covid-19 can be ameliorated for ALL candidates.

Students have had a very broken schooling experience - some have had access to schooling through online learning, others haven't.

An exam held under current health restrictions would be greatly different to the examination that students expected and SEC has advised it would not be reliable or fair to students.

The model uses the best information we have about students' achivements by asking teachers to review several pieces of information about their work over the last two years. Teachers have to keep a record of the evidence that they used to come to the estimated mark and ranking.

Several checks are built in at school level:

16. Does national standardisation mean that if I attend a school where students traditionally have higher performance levels, my mark is likely to be moved up by the Department? And if I attend a school where performance tends to be lower, my mark may be moved down?

No, the standardisation process does not favour any type of student or school.

The most important information about each student is the estimated marks and ranking that the school provides to the Department. The standardisation process just serves to make sure that your school has been not been too harsh or too lenient when giving estimated scores to the Department.

When the estimated marks from your school are standardised, if you are a particularly strong candidate in your class - irrespective of the school you attend - then you will still emerge as a particularly strong candidate, and your calculated score will be as close to what you would have achieved in the examinations as it is possible to calculate.

Whether or not the marks in any subject from your school get moved up or down depends on the accuracy with which your teachers and school have made their estimates, not on the kind of school you are in. For example, we expect it to be quite common that the estimated marks in one subject from a school will need to be moved up and the marks in another subject from the same school will need to be moved down.

The most important information about each student is the marks and ranking that the school provides to the Department. Standardisation uses two further sources of information to adjust your school's estimated marks if there is evidence that your school has been too harsh or too lenient. The way these two sources of information are used is interconnected.

The statistical process we are using will not impose any predetermined score on any individual in the class or school. No matter how good you are and no matter what your school is like, if your school gives us an accurate estimate of your expected performance and gives accurate estimates for the rest of your class too, then you will all be treated fairly.

17. What about students with reasonable accommodations? How will this be taken into account?

Where any reasonable accommodation has been approved by the SEC for any student, such as a reader or scribe, schools will be asked to base their estimate of the student's likely performance on the assumption that this accommodation would have been available.

18. What about students who don't attend or who are taking extra subjects outside school?

While these scenarios are the exception rather than the rule every effort will be made to calculate a grade, provided there is sufficient evidence available.

In the case of students taking a subject outside school, the guidance provides details of how schools should proceed if school management authorities are confident that there is sufficient evidence of the student's achievement to make an objective judgement.

For students in receipt of home tuition with an association to the school, the guidance will provide information for school authorities to engage with the home tutor in arriving at a decision. Whether a valid estimate of performance can be provided will depend on whether the home tutor is a registered teacher and where the school is satisfied with the evidence used to support the judgment.

19. I am repeating one subject outside of school because I want to satisfy a minimum entry requirement for a college place. How will I do that with the calculated grades model?

If you are studying one or more subjects outside of a recognised school, the Department will be flexible in accepting estimated marks and rankings from other schools or colleges, and will look at this issue on a case-by-case basis. In general, we can say that, provided we can receive an estimated mark and ranking from a teacher in a way that is fair to all candidates, we will seek to provide a calculated grade. You will be able to use this calculated grade in the same way as a Leaving Certificate grade to satisfy minimum entry requirements.

20. I sat my Leaving Certificate in 2019 but am repeating Irish because I want to fulfil the minimum entry requirement for entry to a primary teacher education programme. How will I do that with the calculated grades model?

If you are studying one or more subjects outside of a recognised school, the Department will be flexible in accepting estimated marks and rankings from other schools or colleges, and will look at this issue on a case-by-case basis. In general, we can say that, provided we can receive an estimated mark and ranking from a teacher in a way that is fair to all candidates, we will seek to provide a calculated grade. You will be able to use this calculated grade in the same way as a Leaving Certificate grade to satisfy minimum entry requirements.

21. Can I appeal the Calculated Grades?

Yes. Due to the nature of the model, the professional judgment of the teacher or the school will not form part of the appeals process.

Students unhappy with the calculated grade they receive will have access to a three-stage appeals process.

Stage 1: Checks will be undertaken to ensure that the process was completed correctly by the school and that the intended information was recorded correctly by the school and that the information was transferred correctly into the data collection system. There will also be a review to ensure that the review that the data was correctly received and processed in the calculated grade model.

Stage 2: Students can then seek a review by Independent Appeal Scrutineers.

Stage 3: Following this review, there will also be an opportunity to sit the written examinations later in the year when it is safe and practicable to do so.

In addition, there will be oversight by an independent international expert unconnected with the design of the calculated grades model to provide overall validation on the model, including the operation of the appeals system.

22. What if I apply to sit the exams, but then am unable to do so. Will I get a second chance at sitting them?

Unfortunately it is intended that there will be one sitting of the 2020 Leaving Certificate Examination for the 2020 examinations.

23. When will the grades be issued?

The plan is that calculated grades will be provided to candidates as close as possible to the normal results day.

24. Will the grades be the same as in other years?

Yes. Students will receive a provisional statement of results with grades in the same format as every other year.

Subsequently students will receive a formal final certificate confirming the grades.

25. What about the CAO process - how will it be affected by this change?

Students' calculated grades will be transferred directly to the CAO, in the same way that examination results usually are. The CAO timelines will run as close as possible to normal to allow for students to take up offers and to transition to third level, further education or work etc.

26. Does the same apply for people looking to study in the UK or Europe?

The Department has been in contact with counterparts in the UK and across the EU to explain the position regarding the Leaving Certificate. Other countries are being asked for as much flexibility as possible for our students. These contacts will continue over the coming weeks. This is also a common challenge in the UK and across the EU.

27. When will third level courses start?

While we can't be specific about that yet, it will be late September or early October. Third level institutions are in constant contact with the Department on a range of issues in relation to enrolments and courses for the 2020/2021 academic year.

28. When will the results of the appeals issue? Will it be possible to start college this year using the appeal results?

Work is ongoing with the higher education sector to integrate the timing of the first stage of the appeals process with the start date for college entry.

Students who receive an upgraded CAO place following Stage 1 of the appeals process may be able to take up their place in the 2020/2021 academic year.

Students who are successful at the Independent Appeal Scrutineer stage, and who receive an improved CAO offer at that stage, will receive a deferred offer to start their course in the 2021/22 academic year.

Students who opt to sit the Leaving Certificate examinations later in the year and who receive an improved CAO offer on foot of these results will also receive a deferred college offer to start their course in the 2021/22 academic year. If a candidate who has started first year of a course becomes entitled to a higher CAO offer and chooses to accept same in the following academic year, attendance for the first year on the new course would remain eligible for free fees and SUSI funding as appropriate.

29. Can I mix my 2020 exam grades and Calculated Grades in different subjects to get points for access to higher education?

Yes. In these exceptional circumstances, all of the results issued on foot of the examinations this year, calculated grades; appeals and the later written examination will be considered the results of the 2020 Leaving Certificate.

30. What are the detailed arrangements for the Leaving Certificate exams to be held later this year?

The SEC will set about putting the detailed arrangements for these examinations in place, guided of course by health advice.

31. What about the Leaving Certificate fee?

Where students opt to sit the conventional Leaving Certificate examination later in the year the examination fee will be waived. Anyone who has paid already will be refunded.

See also:

Leaving Certificate 2020 Information Poster

Wellbeing information and resources

Leaving Certificate 2020

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Leaving Certificate 2020: Information and Resources

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The purpose of this page is to provide as much clarity as possible on the decisions made about the 2020 Leaving Certificate , Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) and Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) examinations. The decision has been taken to postpone Leaving Certificate 2020 and to offer students a system of Calculated Grades.

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Author bio: Claudia Aguirre is a neuroscientist and the author of several TED-Ed Lessons, including What would happen if you didn't sleep? and Does stress cause pimples? To learn something new every week, sign up for the TED-Ed Newsletter here >>

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7 healthy tips for a better night's sleep

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Sleep is critical for mind and body health. Without it, the effects can be severe. But what if you suffer from insomnia? Below, neuroscientist Claudia Aguirre provides 7 healthy tips for a better night's sleep: 1. Aim for power hours. Sleep the recommended amount for a restorative night.

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Anxiety Explained

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Fight Flight Freeze – Anxiety Explained For Teens

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Excellent app to start your mindfulness practice. for adults and high school students

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Live a happier, healthier life with just a few minutes of meditation a day on the Headspace app.

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Free for teachers

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** Best of 2018 Award Winner ** - Apple

** 2017 App of the Year ** - Apple

** Happiest App in the World ** - Center for Humane Technology

Calm is the #1 app for Sleep, Meditation and Relaxation. Join the millions experiencing better sleep, lower stress, and less anxiety with our guided meditations, Sleep Stories, breathing programs, stretching exercises, and relaxing music. Calm is recommended by top psychologists, therapists, and mental health experts.

Calm is the perfect mindfulness app for beginners, but also includes hundreds of programs for intermediate and advanced users. Guided meditation sessions are available in lengths of 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 or 25 minutes so you can choose the perfect length to fit with your schedule.

Sleep Stories are bedtime stories that are guaranteed to lull you into a deep and restful slumber. Calm has 100+ exclusive Sleep Stories for adults and children alike, featuring well-known talent such as Stephen Fry, Matthew McConaughey, Leona Lewis, and Jerome Flynn. Drift off to dreamland and wake up refreshed.

Sleep Stories include:
* Wonder - Join Matthew McConaughey on a dreamy story about the mysteries of the universe.
* Blue Gold - Let master storyteller Stephen Fry take you on a calming journey through the lavender fields and sleepy village of Provence
* The Nordland Night Train - Travel up the scenic coast of Norway aboard one of Europe's most breathtaking and remote railways.
* Happy Little Zzzs with Bob Ross - Drift off to the soothing brush strokes of beloved painter and TV host Bob Ross.
* And many more...

Mindfulness Topics include:
* Deep Sleep
* Calming Anxiety
* Managing Stress
* Focus and Concentration
* Relationships
* Breaking Habits
* Happiness
* Gratitude
* Self-Esteem
* Body Scan
* Loving-Kindness
* Forgiveness
* Non-judgement
* Mindfulness at Work
* Mindful Walking
* Calm Kids
* And so much more...

Also Featuring:
* An original Daily Calm every day: a 10-minute program added daily to help ease you into the day or unwind with before bed
* 7 and 21 day mindfulness programs for both beginner and advanced users
* Calm Masterclass: Life changing audio classes featuring world-renowned experts
* Calm Body: Mindful stretching and movement to relax your body during the day
* Music: Exclusive music engineered to help you focus, relax or sleep
* Soundscapes: Ocean waves, Heavy Rain, Camp Fire, Babbling Brook, and other sounds to help you sleep
* Breathing exercises to help you relax
* Unguided timed meditation
* 30+ soothing nature sounds and scenes to use during meditation, yoga or to help you sleep

Track your progress with:
* Daily Streaks
* Mindful Minutes

Calm saves your meditation and sleep sessions to your Apple Health app.

Subscription pricing and terms:
Calm offers an auto-renewing monthly subscription at $12.99/month and an auto-renewing yearly subscription at $69.99/year to provide you with unlimited access to the Calm Collection while you maintain an active subscription. Calm also offers a Lifetime subscription for $399.99 which is paid for by a one-off upfront payment with unlimited access to the Calm Collection forever.

Payment will be charged to the credit card connected to your iTunes Account when you confirm the initial subscription purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current subscription period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and the cost of the renewal will be identified. You may manage your subscription and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to your Account Settings after the purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription, where applicable.

Read more about our terms and conditions here:
Terms of service: https://www.calm.com/terms
Privacy policy: https://www.calm.com/privacy

Calm is the #1 app for sleep and meditation. Discover a happier, healthier you through our meditations, Sleep Stories, music, and more.

Calm is for anyone, whether you're brand new to meditation or a seasoned expert. It's also for anyone who needs a mental break, a soothing sound, or a peaceful night's rest. Our guided meditations are available in lengths of 3 to 25 minutes, so you can choose the perfect length to fit your schedule.

We offer a new 10-minute Daily Calm every day, Sleep Stories narrated by well-known voices like Matthew McConaughey, a music library with exclusive tracks from top artists like Keith Urban and Disney, short videos with mindful movement and gentle stretching for every body type, Masterclasses taught by world-renowned experts in the field of mindfulness, soundscapes and nature sounds to use during meditation or to help you sleep, breathing exercises to help you relax, and more.

With over 100 million users worldwide, we're having a positive effect on more and more people each day. Take a moment to prioritize yourself today, and enjoy the app.

Editors' Notes

Take a deep breath. That phrase greets you whenever you open Calm. It's both a call to action and a defining feature of the app's approach to meditation: You're going to get through this, and all you need to start is a moment. In the increasingly crowded field of apps for meditation and mindfulness, Calm stands out for its ease of use and attention to (soothing) detail.

Calm great for Early Childhood settings

We use the Calm app each day as part of our Early Childhood setting. We have been listening to the audio stories at rest time for children aged 3 years up. We engage the children by asking them what story the would like to listen to. Over the next 4-6 weeks (4 year olds) we are listening to "The Big Bad Wolf Learns Anger Management". We have been practising deep slow breathing before rest time each day. We follow up with group discussions on what steps to take when our bodies start to feel angry. I ask "how does it feel when you start to get angry? Each child role models how their body tenses in various areas. We talk about walking away and calming down by either drinking some water first then deep breathing or just deep breathing if able. We discuss the fact that people cannot talk or communicate when angry, only when calm. Calms Soundscape and other sleep music have been utilised for babies and toddlers sleep times. As an Educator I have used the masterclasses as professional development and my own self improvement and wellbeing. I highly recommend utilising the Calm app in every Early Childhood setting so as to assist with rest, relaxation and teaching emotional intelligence.

Learning by letting go

I love the Daily Calm 10 minute sessions which I start with every day, then follow up with one of the '7 days of ...' series. The best at the beginning was the 21 days of calm. Also useful were 'self-esteem', 'focus', 'gratitude', 'happiness', 'calming anxiety' and other guided meditations. All can be repeated, as often as you like. Also on offer are various timed and unguided meditations with bells etc as prompts to return to the present moment. I have developed a habit of using the Calm app to do about 30 mins of sitting practice each morning, and keeping notes of my thoughts. Together with reading and networking with new friends from Mindful in May and now Mind Life Project, (Elise Lew, Melbourne, Australia), I have been calmer, happier and more sociable in everyday life. The wise quotes from contemporary Buddhist thinkers are also useful signposts on this new trail.
I have just subscribed to this app for a second year, as a promise to myself to continue this highly beneficial and wonderful practice. Thanks Tamara Levitt for lending your soothing, reassuring voice to the excellent directions in this program. Many thanks, Calm people for this app.
Christina Perrett, Melbourne, Australia

The developer, Calm.com, indicated that the app's privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer's privacy policy.

Data Used to Track You

The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:

Data Linked to You

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

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‎** Best of 2018 Award Winner ** - Apple ** 2017 App of the Year ** - Apple ** Happiest App in the World ** - Center for Humane Technology Calm is the #1 app for Sleep, Meditation and Relaxation. Join the millions experiencing better sleep, lower stress, and less anxiety with our guided meditation...

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Reach out for any reason, anytime. Childline is always here for every child and young person. Childline Ukrainian Services Childline Ukrainian Services Free Phone 1800 666666 Live Chat - it's easy! Info & Advice How I Feel Friends Home & Families Sexuality & Relationships Bullying, Abuse, Safety and Your Rights Education & Work About Me [...]

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SpunOut.ie is Ireland's youth information website created by young people, for young people.

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Visit Jigsaw.ie | The National Centre for Youth Mental health

At Jigsaw we have a wide range of information and resources in the area of youth mental health.

Jigsaw support

Choose the service that suits you best

Jigsaw services

Find out of there's a Jigsaw in your area, if you're a young person, parent or guardian or working with young people.

Information and eLearning

Mental health information for young people, their parents and guardians, and those who work with young people. Get practical advice from Jigsaw Clinicians who work with young people everyday.

Talk online

We have introduced new ways for you talk to a Jigsaw Clinician online: Live Chat, Ask Jigsaw, Group Chats and a freephone number.

Get involved

There are many ways to get involved with Jigsaw: in your school, taking part in one of our fundraising events; from corporate partnerships, to organising your own special event.

Jigsaw services

There are currently twelve Jigsaw Services throughout Ireland.

We provide free, confidential, brief mental health supports for young people aged 12-25. We operate Jigsaw Services in 12 communities around the country.

A young person who attended Jigsaw

As a teenager I received the mental health support I needed. The work we did together has helped make me who I am today and I strongly believe that every young person should be able to access that kind of help.

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Visit Jigsaw.ie | The National Centre for Youth Mental health

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Visit Jigsaw.ie | The National Centre for Youth Mental health At Jigsaw we have a wide range of information and resources in the area of youth mental health. Choose the service that suits you best Find out of there's a Jigsaw in your area, if you're a young person, parent or guardian or working with young people.

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The ISPCC operates Teenline, a national active listening service for children and young people up to the age of 18 in Ireland.

Teenline can be contacted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by calling 1800 833 634.

The service is free to contact and is confidential, non-directive and non-judgmental.

Teenline was founded in 2005 by Maureen Bolger, following the death of her son Darren (aged 16) by suicide.

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The ISPCC operates Teenline, a national active listening service for children and young people up to the age of 18 in Ireland. Teenline can be contacted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, by calling 1800 833 634. The service is free to contact and is confidential, non-directive and non-judgmental.

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Many of us have faced difficult personal, financial or physical challenges during the pandemic, and it's natural that this can have an impact on our mental health.

⚠️ We're updating the information on this page in relation to the coronavirus pandemic. The advice on this page may change significantly as the situation continues to develop.

Page last updated: 3 December 2021

Although restrictions have come to an end in the United Kingdom, it is clear that coronavirus will continue to have an impact on our lives. Many of us have faced difficult personal, financial or physical challenges during the pandemic, and it's natural that this can have an impact on our mental health.

You could be feeling uncertain about what you should or shouldn't be doing, or worried about what's going on in the world. It might seem like a lot is happening outside of our control, and this can feel overwhelming. It's natural that these changes can affect our mental health and wellbeing.

This winter, it's important to be kind to yourself and take things at your own pace. If you're finding things tough, try to talk about how you are feeling with others. You're not alone. At Samaritans, we're committed to helping you if you're struggling to cope, however we can.

Samaritans is a critical service, needed now more than ever. Our volunteers are always here to listen and won't judge or tell you what to do. While it may take us longer to answer the phone or respond to emails, we're still here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

In case it's helpful, we have gathered some tips and resources to help you look after your wellbeing.

Go at your own pace

Take time to plan Planning your day can help you feel grounded if you're feeling uncertain about the future. Try to prioritise eating well, getting plenty of sleep and exercising - wrapping up warm for a short walk outside at lunchtime can be a great place to start. If you're feeling uncertain about meeting with other people in person, whether for work or socially, try to talk about how you are feeling and what you are comfortable with beforehand.

Try a relaxation exercise. Sometimes something simple like controlled breathing can help us feel calmer. Muscle relaxation exercises can also help reduce feelings of stress or anxiety. If you can, find a quiet space and try out the exercises we've linked to. They're easy to memorise and can be used while you are out.

Find your balance

Pay attention to how you are feeling. Our self-help web app can help you track your mood and includes practical tips and techniques to help you look after your emotional health.

Make time for yourself. It could be something creative, playing sports or taking a copy of the paper to a park for half an hour in the sun. Even stepping away and taking a five-minute break over a cup of tea can help you relax and recharge.

Take a break from the news and social media. If you find it hard to stay offline, prioritising other activities can help you switch it off. Try turning off your notifications or leaving your phone in another room for a few hours. If your job involves lots of screen time, taking a break away from your devices after work might help you relax.

Spend time outdoors. Whatever way you can, taking some time to enjoy the outdoors can have a positive effect on your mood. This is even more important during the colder months. Our nature and mental health page has lots of tips for different ways to enjoy nature both inside and outside.

Reach out

Talk about how you're feeling. Talking can help put things into perspective and help us feel less isolated. It can be hard to reach out but talking to a trusted friend, colleague or family member is something we'd encourage you to try, however you can.

You are never alone. If you don't feel like there's anyone you can talk to, Samaritans volunteers are here for you. Call free, day or night, on 116 123 or email [email protected] For more information see our contact a Samaritan page.

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If you're worried about your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic

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Many of us have faced difficult personal, financial or physical challenges during the pandemic, and it's natural that this can have an impact on our mental health. ⚠️ We're updating the information on this page in relation to the coronavirus pandemic. The advice on this page may change significantly as the situation continues to develop.

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Visit Jigsaw.ie | The National Centre for Youth Mental Health

At Jigsaw we have a wide range of information and resources in the area of youth mental health.

Jigsaw support

Choose the service that suits you best

Jigsaw services

Find out of there's a Jigsaw in your area, if you're a young person, parent or guardian or working with young people.

Information and eLearning

Mental health information for young people, their parents and guardians, and those who work with young people. Get practical advice from Jigsaw Clinicians who work with young people everyday.

Talk online

We have introduced new ways for you talk to a Jigsaw Clinician online: Live Chat, Ask Jigsaw, Group Chats and a freephone number.

Get involved

There are many ways to get involved with Jigsaw: in your school, taking part in one of our fundraising events; from corporate partnerships, to organising your own special event.

Jigsaw services

There are currently twelve Jigsaw Services throughout Ireland.

We provide free, confidential, brief mental health supports for young people aged 12-25. We operate Jigsaw Services in 12 communities around the country.

A young person who attended Jigsaw

As a teenager I received the mental health support I needed. The work we did together has helped make me who I am today and I strongly believe that every young person should be able to access that kind of help.

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Visit Jigsaw.ie | The National Centre for Youth Mental Health

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Visit Jigsaw.ie | The National Centre for Youth Mental Health At Jigsaw we have a wide range of information and resources in the area of youth mental health. Choose the service that suits you best Find out of there's a Jigsaw in your area, if you're a young person, parent or guardian or working with young people.

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SUSI | Making Your Application for Student Funding

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Register for the upcoming DkIT Virtual Open Day. This online event is the perfect opportunity for you to chat live to our admissions and student recruitment teams, discover our courses and see what student life is like at DkIT.

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Sign up here...

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! This site contains our Open Day and CAO information- all you need to help you in your steps towards studying as an undergraduate at Maynooth University.

Our CAO Hub is packed information to help you make the best decision for your future studies such as our recorded webinar focusing on CAO application and college transition with Admissions Officer/Assistant Registrar Dr John McGinnity.

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This site contains our Open Day and CAO information- all you need to help you in your steps towards studying as an undergraduate at Maynooth University. Our CAO Hub is packed information to help you make the best decision for your future studies such as our recorded webinar focusing on CAO application and college transition with Admissions Officer/Assistant Registrar Dr John McGinnity.

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Students

Get updates packed with careers information, and advice to help you research all your options.
Sign up for UCAS Undergraduate updates Sign up for UCAS Postgraduate updates Sign up for UCAS Teacher Training updates
Parents

Our monthly newsletters will ensure you don't miss out on timely advice, so you can support your child on their application journey.
Sign up for parent newsletters
Advisers

We can provide you with regular updates based on your preferences, to support your students through the UCAS application process.
Sign up for adviser newsletters

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Students Get updates packed with careers information, and advice to help you research all your options. Sign up for UCAS Undergraduate updates Sign up for UCAS Postgraduate updates Sign up for UCAS Teacher Training updates Parents Our monthly newsletters will ensure you don't miss out on timely advice, so you can support your child on their application journey.

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Coping with exam postponement.

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The Department of Education has announced contingency measures for the Leaving Certificate exams, due to the Covid-19 restrictions. Many of you (46,000) have spoken out about your concerns and preferred options through ISSU Irish Second-Level Students' Union #ClarificationNow survey. ISSU has represented students views in meetings with the Department of Education as part of the Department's consultation meetings. As with all decisions, some of you will feel this decision is the best option and others will feel it is the worst. Either way, we at least know what is ahead of us. UNICEF asked guidance counsellor Jenny Crampton to offer her advice to all of you.

Advice on how to cope with Leaving Certificate contingency measures

The measures that have been put in place to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic over the past weeks are creating new challenges for us all. We are facing different stressors and different pressures as we do our best to adjust to these new measures. You have now been thrown an extra challenge, trying to continue working towards the exam that will now take place in late summer.

Many of you will be feeling very angry, upset and frustrated at hearing this news. These are normal reactions and very understandable ones. Some of you may be wondering why they made this decision, others may be asking themselves "how can I keep this up until July or August". My advice to you is to take some time out now over the holidays and allow yourself to process these emotions of anger, frustration etc and then take some time to do things that you enjoy, within the present restrictions.

You need to mind your mental health during this time and keep a realistic perspective on what you can or cannot do. There are a lot of websites offering support and advice on how to look after your mental health and wellbeing.

There are many free online services that offer audiobooks, meditation apps, music lessons, yoga classes, national theatres, live stream gigs, and lots more. Here is a helpful collection GiveBack Directory.

Remember only to use reliable and trustworthy news sources. If you want information and updates on education and the Leaving Certificate use the Department of Education and Skills website.

The full details on logistics or what academic supports are going to be put in place for you will become clearer over the coming months. We will respond to those updates and your concerns when more is known.

Remember that you are all in this together, all 60,000 doing the Leaving Certificate exams. Most of you will be having the same concerns and upsets. You have a lot of support, your teachers, guidance counsellors, school management team, family and friends. Ask for support if you need it.

And finally, stay connected and keep in touch with one another.

If you feel you need more support, Aware, Jigsaw and Spunout are continuing to provide services.

Remember...

It is normal to feel overwhelmed, helpless, angry, or frustrated.

Understand that you are not alone, there are over 60,000 students in this with you.

Talk about how you're feeling, it can help defuse the intensity and process your emotions, find a friend or family member that is a good listener.

Seek the support of professionals if you need more help.

Know that even though this is very upsetting, this will pass and you are resilient and you will get through it.

Find out ways to reduce your stress and anxiety, and do these things regularly.

Do things that you know you enjoy, even if you don't feel like it. It will divert your attention.

Focus on what is in your control instead of worrying about the future.

Take care of your body, exercise releases stress and boosts feel-good endorphins, healthy food helps regulate your mood and energy and sleep resets your mind and body.

Take a break and regroup, everyone deserves a holiday or time off from work, you do too!

Helpful reminders for parents...

Be aware of your own stress levels and find the right time to offer support.

Listen without judging or giving advice, sometimes it is not a solution that is needed but just understanding.

Help find ways to relieve their anger and stress and lift their mood.

Give them space to retreat and feel their emotions.

When holidays are over, help them create a structure to the day, through mealtimes and time together.

Encourage regular breaks, exercise, healthy eating and sleep routines.

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Coping with Exam Postponement - UNICEF Ireland

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The Department of Education has announced contingency measures for the Leaving Certificate exams, due to the Covid-19 restrictions. Many of you (46,000) have spoken out about your concerns and preferred options through ISSU Irish Second-Level Students' Union #ClarificationNow survey. ISSU has represented students views in meetings with the Department of Education as part of the Department's consultation meetings.

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Considering TU Dublin and have applied for HEAR? Click here for more support.

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Access TU Dublin

Access TU Dublin is aimed at school leavers, from socio economically disadvantaged backgrounds who would like to study a full time undergraduate course in TU Dublin.

APPLICATION FORM
COVID-19 UPDATE
Access TU Dublin Application Update:

If you wish to apply for Access TU Dublin but do not have access to a printer, you can register your interest in applying by completing the form here: https://bit.ly/2LETehC. We will then contact you during the summer in relation to your application.

Download the Application support handbook

Download here: Access/QQI Access TU Dublin Application Form.

If you were eligible for TU Dublin Access/QQI Access 2019 and wish to carry forward your eligibility, please complete the form here: Eligibility Carry Forward Form 2020

CLOSING DATE

Wednesday 1st July 2020 - 5pm

WHY APPLY?

Pre-Entry Supports:

Application Support from TU Dublin Access Service staff

Reduced points CAO offers for courses in TU Dublin provided you meet the minimum entry requirements.

Orientation programme before you begin your programme

Financial advice and guidance (student financial assistance funds available)

Support from staff in the Access Service

Peer mentoring

Additional academic support if required

Volunteering and Leadership opportunities

Please Note:
The Access Service in TU Dublin will only make reduced points offers in Round 1 for the below Entry Routes. If you are eligible for one of these entry routes and receive an offer in a later CAO round, you will be supported by either the Access Service and/or the Disability Support Service.

If you are HEAR and/or Access TU Dublin eligible and receive a CAO offer after round 1, please contact 01 402 7625 to avail of supports from the Access Service.

If you are DARE eligible and receive a CAO offer after round 1, please contact 01 220 5008.

These numbers are for guideline purposes only and may vary from year to year.

The information in the link below is correct as of the 11 th May 2020:
TU Dublin CAO Codes HEAR DARE Access Places
CRITERIA

Submit an Access TU Dublin application form

Apply via CAO (based on leaving cert results) for full time undergraduate entry in Autumn 2020

Under the age of 23 years on January 1st2020

Meet ONE of the following:

Member of the Traveller community (Automatic Eligibility on supply of documented proof)

In the care of, or recently in the care of, the Health Service Executive (HSE) or Tusla (Automatic Eligibility on supply of documented proof)

Attending a TU Dublin Partner and Link DEIS Schools

Be resident in one of the following post codes - Dublin 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24

Submit a letter of support, written by a relevant person, with your application stating that Access TU Dublin is appropriate for you.

Meet THREE of the following financial & social and cultural indicators:

Parents have not gone to college (higher education)

Applicant has attended a DEIS school for at least 2 years

Be from a socio economic group underrepresented in higher education

Live in an area of urban or rural disadvantage

Family received a means tested payment from the Department of Social Protection for at least 26 weeks in 2018

Family income was below the following amounts in 2018

Less than 4 children

€45,790

Between 4-7 children

€50,325

More than 8 children

€54,630

Add €4,670 to the total income for every sibling/parent enrolled in a full time college, university or post leaving certificate further education course

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Access TU Dublin is aimed at school leavers, from socio economically disadvantaged backgrounds who would like to study a full time undergraduate course in TU Dublin. COVID-19 UPDATE Access TU Dublin Application Update: If you wish to apply for Access TU Dublin but do not have access to a printer, you can register your interest in applying by completing the form here: https://bit.ly/2LETehC.

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All things Careers and Education.
Click here :)

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Careers News | Career Guidance and Education in Ireland

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Careers News supports Career Guidance & Education in Ireland. We are the No 1 for all things Careers News across the island of Ireland.

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Some Colleges of Further Education have moved to online interviews. Read here for how to succeed online.

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Skype interviews can really be the best of both worlds - you still get face-to-face time with an employer while cutting travel out of the equation. And while mastering the interview is a common practice, etiquette surrounding a Skype interview is different from both in-person and phone interviews.

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iRevise FREE tutorials and resources

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Happiness in Dark Times - with Dr Maria Sirois

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How to keep mentally healthy during uncertain times
Looking after your mental health is vital, especially when you're stuck at home
We're entering unprecedented times with this Coronavirus pandemic. No one knows how it is going to pan out or how long it is going to last for. An unintended consequence is that our mental health may suffer as we keep apart from our families, friends, neighbours and colleagues.
The good news is there are lots of positive things we and our families can do to stay as physically and mentally healthy as possible. 1. Keep active

When we are physically active, it keeps our bodies healthy, our immune system strong and our minds in tip top condition. Physical activity burns off stress hormones like cortisol so we feel calm, centred and energised. Why not try:

Cleaning your house actually counts as 'moderate' activity - so get tidying and not only will you have a work out, you'll have a clean house too!

Break your day up with short bursts of star-jumps, press-ups or running on the spot.

Get active with your kids - www.bbc.co.uk/teach/supermovers andwww.gonoodle.com are free to use and great fun!

2. Immerse yourself in nature
Research shows that nature can have a healing effect on our minds and bodies. One study showed that patients recovering from surgery whose beds overlooked a garden recovered faster than those whose bed overlooked a carpark. Try these:
3. Focus on the present
Our minds have a tendency to ruminate on the past, or fast-forward to the future, sometimes in a negative kind of way. This tendency is often exacerbated during times of stress. An antidote is to intentionally focus on the present moment - by noticing what's happening in our minds, bodies and the external environment with an attitude of kindness and curiosity.

Place one hand on your belly and one hand on your chest and, as you breathe normally in and out through your nose, count 10 full breaths.

Download and try one of the many free mindfulness apps like www.headspace.com

If you find your mind racing, lie down and tune in to the sensations in your body.

4. Laugh
Laughing feels good, boosts our immune system and helps us keep things in perspective. Laughing with others strengthens relationships and, because laughter is contagious, we laugh more with others.
5. Practise kindness

In times of need, we often see the best of humanity as people dig deep to help others.
6. Focus on what's good
There is ample research to show that deliberately focusing on the good things in our lives - practising gratitude - can improve our wellbeing. It's easy to give in to our natural 'negativity bias' as our brains strive to protect us from harm, but we can counter that by deliberately focusing on what's good, even during challenging times.
7. Keep learning
Our minds need challenge and stimulation to stay healthy, which is why learning new things is one of the Five ways to wellbeing.

All those books you don't have time to read? Read them. Read them all!

Take an online course. Now could be the perfect time to learn a new skill and there are lots of great free courses on sites like www.coursera.org andwww.edx.org

Children can research a topic they're interested in, then share five ideas or facts they learned with someone else. Use the BBC learning website www.bbc.co.uk/learning/subjects/childrens_learning.shtml

8. Connect
Connecting with others is another of the 'five ways to wellbeing'. Research shows that people who have the richest social relationships are the happiest; the quality of relationships has even been linked to physical health and longevity (and academic achievement in children). Social distancing doesn't mean you can't keep in touch. Let people know you care and especially contact those who may be more isolated or lonely.
9. Concentrate on strengths
Character strengths are essential in supporting wellbeing. Research (see VIA Institute on Character) shows that recognising and working with our strengths increases our levels of happiness.

Remember, nothing lasts forever, no matter how bad it is or feels at the time. Human beings often grow and flourish through adversity.
This is an incredibly challenging time, but we are all in this together and we can take this opportunity to rediscover our shared humanity.

Adrian Bethune is a primary teacher, founder of www.teachappy.co.uk, Education Policy Co-Lead at the Mindfulness Initiative, and the author of Wellbeing in the Primary Classroom. He tweets@AdrianBethune

Frederika Roberts is a former secondary teacher and a positive psychology speaker and trainer. She is the founder of Educate to Flourish CIC, author of Recipe for Happiness and For Flourishing's Sake and co-author of Character Toolkit for Teachers. She tweets @Frederika_R

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How to keep mentally healthy during uncertain times

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Looking after your mental health is vital, especially when you're stuck at home We're entering unprecedented times with this Coronavirus pandemic. No one knows how it is going to pan out or how long it is going to last for.

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How to look after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak | Mental Health Foundation

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Good mental health for all. Dedicated to finding and addressing the sources of mental health problems.

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These uncertain times have led to an understandable disruption to family life, with parents and children spending more time than usual at home, and online. Digital devices are providing many benefits, whether it's to help children to continue their education through distance learning, using social media to connect with their friends and relatives, or using technology for entertainment, such as streaming content from Netflix or YouTube.

While all families have their own unique circumstances, many parents have similar concerns when it comes to their child's use of technology. How can parents strike the right balance between online and offline activities, and help their kids have a positive relationship with technology, and the internet?

One of the most effective ways to ensure that your child or teenager has a positive experience online is to have an open, and ongoing conversation with them. Talk to them about what they do online, and reassure them that if anything happens that they are uncomfortable with, they should not feel embarrassed or afraid to speak to you about it. If your child feels like they can talk to you about their online activities without judgement, or fear of the consequences, it will lead to more honesty, and they will be better equipped to deal with any negative experiences.

Parental controls help to reduce the risk that your child will encounter inappropriate content online, and they can be set up on most internet enabled devices such as computers, smartphones, tablets and games consoles. They can also be set up through your internet service provider, and in online services such as Netflix and YouTube.

Parental controls can be used in a number of ways, for example to only allow your child to access age-appropriate content, or to monitor and block their usage. We recommend that parents use, and regularly review and update, parental controls across all devices in the home.

Note: For parents of young children it's important that there is very close supervision of their online activity, and that they are only online when you are with them.

Parents can also set up 'safe search' options on browsers, for example if your child is using the internet for homework, and this setting will filter out adult content in search results. Most search engines have free controls in place to help parents.
How to set up parental controls
From setting up controls on a smartphone, internet browser, or popular streaming services, this 'how to' guide is a great place to get started.

Unfortunately, there is no magic number for screen time, and it is worth bearing in mind that children use their devices for lots of different reasons - to learn, create, play, and interact with their friends. Under the current circumstances households are using technology for a variety of purposes, every family is different and may face different demands, however setting clear boundaries and rules can be an effective way of managing screen time, and also making sure that you set a good example, and follow those rules too.
Áine Lynch, CEO of the National Parents Council - Primary, offers advice to parents about how to manage screen time.

Respectful Communication

Discuss the importance of being respectful to others online, and the impact that their behaviour may have on people. Encourage them to consider the other person's perspective, and how hurtful remarks or actions could make someone feel.

By fostering empathy, and helping them to understand their own boundaries and level of comfort, it will encourage them to become more responsible and considerate users of the internet.

Privacy

Children and teenagers are documenting and sharing lots of information about their lives online, and may not be fully aware of the potential risks or the impact it may have on their online reputation.

Talk to them about checking their privacy settings regularly. Many social network accounts are 'public' by default, meaning that anyone can potentially see your child's posts or pictures. However, it is a good idea to remind them that even with the tightest privacy controls, content that is posted online can very easily be copied and shared to a wider audience that they cannot control.

Encourage your child to be familiar with the blocking and reporting features on platforms they use. Most websites and social networks provide tools for users to report inappropriate and offensive content.

The internet is a great resource for children - join in with them and discover the online world together! Why not explore HTML Heroes, and help your child learn about online safety in fun and interactive way?

HTML Heroes: An Introduction to the Internet has 8 lessons that can be easily accessed online from home. Children will learn about internet safety with the help of two animated USB characters called Archie and Ruby, who perform catchy and fun raps about online advertising, screen time, cyberbullying and how the internet works.

Scoilnet is the Department of Education and Skills (DES) official portal for Irish education. Scoilnet.ie contains a database of over 20,000+ online resources including websites, quizzes, lesson plans, notes, video/audio, games and other multimedia. This online repository has been developed as a support for teachers at both primary and post-primary levels and provides teachers with the option to share and upload their own teaching and learning resources.

World Book Online is a suite of online research tools that includes encyclopedia articles, primary source collections, educator tools, student activities, educational games, pictures, audio, and video, complemented by current periodicals and related Web sites.

It can be accessed for free in the Republic of Ireland via the Scoilnet website.

A Parents Guide to a Better Internet, is a free Webwise online safety booklet for parents.

It contains advice for parents of children of all ages, and covers topics such as social networking, screentime, cyberbullying, and sexting.

Parents can access it, and/or download it for free.

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Covid-19: Online Safety Advice for Parents

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These uncertain times have led to an understandable disruption to family life, with parents and children spending more time than usual at home, and online. Digital devices are providing many benefits, whether it's to help children to continue their education through distance learning, using social media to connect with their friends and relatives, or using technology for entertainment, such as streaming content from Netflix or YouTube.

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Parenting is a very rewarding job but one which can be difficult at times, especially when parents are faced with challenging situations. Below are details of a range of resources to support parents from information booklets to parenting courses for those difficult times.

Parenting Positively - Children 6 to 12 years

Parenting Positively also includes a series of booklets focused on supporting parents of children aged six to twelve years old. In addition to a booklet on general parenting skills, aimed at helping parents better understand and support their children's development, they also deal with some of the more complex life issues facing parents. They cover themes such as death, separation, domestic abuse, bullying, drug and alcohol abuse. There are booklets for parents to read themselves and there are illustrated booklets for children, written in a child-friendly language, which parents can read with their children to help them through difficult times.

The goal of the series is to provide information and guidance to parents to help create positive, loving and supportive relationships between them and their children and also help parents to be better equipped to deal with some tough situations by offering tools and support.

Booklets for Parents

These booklets outline how children may understand a particular issue and how you can support them through a difficult time. The first booklet focuses on Parenting Skills.

Booklets for Parents to read with their children

These booklets may help your child to better understand what is happening and help you as a parent to answer any questions he or she might have.

Parenting Positively - Parenting Teenagers

The booklets for parents of teens cover issues such as Teenage Well-Being, Parental Separation, Bereavement, Domestic Abuse and Parental Alcohol or Drug Use.

The booklets are available to download below:

Parenting Positively - Coping with the Recession

Ebook for Parents of both children and teenagers who want to support them cope with the impact of the recession on their emotional well-being.

Click here to read or download Parenting Positively - Coping with the Recession

Teenhelp

Teenhelp is a section on Barnardos website aimed at supporting Teenagers and is focused on their well-being and offering support through issues such as bullying, parental separation, bereavement and domestic abuse.

Visit Teenhelp

Parenting Courses

National Database of Parenting Programmes - hosted on the Barnardos website this database of parenting courses, contains details of courses in every county in Ireland.

To search for a parenting course in your area visit Barnardos website here

Lone Parents

Family Links - Steps and Stages - positive pointers for parents who are helping their children to understand their family situation. This booklet was developed by Treoir, the National Federation of services for unmarried parents and their children.
Click to read or download Family Links.

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Parenting ResourcesTusla - Child and Family Agency

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Parenting is a very rewarding job but one which can be difficult at times, especially when parents are faced with challenging situations. Below are details of a range of resources to support parents from information booklets to parenting courses for those difficult times.