Level One and Level Two Programmes

A Level 2 Learning Programme will target the very specific group of students with general learning disabilities in the higher functioning moderate and low functioning mild categories.

 These students are small in number (one or two in a typical school, more in a special school) and all have student support plans. The Level 2 Learning Programme will be based around Priority Learning Units (PLUs).

The PLUs focus on developing the basic social, pre-vocational and life skills of the students involved. There are five Level 2 PLUs:

• Communicating and literacy
• Numeracy
• Personal care
• Living in a community
• Preparing for work 

• View the Guidelines and Specification for L2LPs in Curriculum Online 

• L1LP Guidelines for Teachers and Short Courses are available on curriculumonline.ie

Level 1 Learning Programmes (L1LP) will target the very specific group of students with general learning disabilities in the range of lower functioning moderate to severe and profound categories. The programme will be capable of personalisation to suit the individual needs of the target group of students.

These students are small in number and are almost exclusively in Special Schools. They all have student support plans and often have complex and multiple cognitive and functioning needs. Their learning tends to be targeted at a very early developmental level.

The students in question may experience difficulty understanding the world around them and their place in it. They may also have issues with expressive and receptive communication skills.

The Level 1 Learning Programmes are made up of six Priority Learning Units (PLUs) which explicitly identify and develop the key areas of learning needed to prepare the students for their future lives.

• Communication, Language and Literacy
• Personal Care and Wellbeing
• Being part of a Community
• Numeracy 
• The Arts
• Physical Education

Read the Background Paper and Brief for Level 1 Learning Programmes here.

• Background Paper and Brief for Level 1 Learning Programmes

Read the report of the consultation process here.

• Report on the consultation of the Background Paper for Level 1 Learning Programmes

In September and October 2022, the NCCA conducted a review of Level 1 and Level 2 Learning Programmes to gather
feedback to evaluate:
• the experiences of the teaching, learning and assessment within the L1LPs and L2LPs.
• how the review findings can support curriculum and assessment development work at senior cycle.
This report captures feedback from teachers, parents, school leaders, students and wider stakeholders on the introduction and enactment of the Level 1 Learning Programmes: Guidelines for Teachers and the Level 2 Learning Programmes: Guidelines for Teachers.

Report on the review of the Level 1 and Level 2 Learning Programmes