Classical Studies

Leaving Certificate Classical Studies is concerned with the civilisations of ancient Greece and Rome in all their manifestations and with their continuing influence on the modern world. It is the study of the languages, culture, history, literature, art and architecture, drama and philosophy of these ancient civilisations. By understanding the political, military, religious, philosophical, technological, artistic, and aesthetic developments of the ancient Greeks and Romans, students learn how the past continues to inform the present and influences the cultures and languages of the modern world.

Tranche 5

Current Stage

Early Rapid Review - School visits

Early Rapid Review - School visits

This includes visiting a number of schools as part of the work in gathering feedback on the new curriculum and how it has been enacted in schools.
Completed
Current
Future
Legend
November 2021 - June 2024

Background Paper & Development Group

Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
10 Oct 2025 - 30 Nov 2025
Stage 5

Draft Curriculum Specification

Stage 6
Stage 7
1 Sep 2026 - 20 Oct 2025
Stage 8
Stage 9
Stage 10

AAC Guidelines

Stage 11

Early Rapid Review

Early Rapid Review - School visits
Early Rapid Review report is published

Tranche 5

As part of Tranche 5, it is envisaged that a revised specification for Leaving Certificate XXXXX will be introduced in schools from September 2029. This timeline shows all the steps involved in the development of the subject specification and indicates which stages have already been completed, which stages are yet to be undertaken and which stage is currently the active stage.

Current Stage:

Early Rapid Review - School visits - Early Rapid Review - School visits

Tranche 5

Stage 1

School visits completed

NCCA has visited a number of schools as part of the work in gathering feedback on the current curriculum and potential future developments.

Current Stage:

Early Rapid Review - School visits - Early Rapid Review - School visits

Tranche 5

Stage 2

2. Development Group convened

The Development Group was convened on 30 September, 2025 and is due to complete its work by September, 2027.

Current Stage:

Early Rapid Review - School visits - Early Rapid Review - School visits

Tranche 5

Stage 3

3. Background Paper and Brief published

The Background Paper and Brief is published online following discussion at Board and approval by Council. It informs the work of the Development Group and also contains national and international research including interviews with school management, subject teachers and students in a selection of schools.

Current Stage:

Early Rapid Review - School visits - Early Rapid Review - School visits

Tranche 5

Stage 4

4. Consultation on BGP and Brief

The public consultation on the Background Paper and Brief opens between 10 October and 30 November, 2025. 

10 Oct 2025 - 30 Nov 2025

Current Stage:

Early Rapid Review - School visits - Early Rapid Review - School visits

Tranche 5

Stage 5

5. Report on Consultation on BGP and Brief

The report on the Background Paper and Brief is published following discussion at the Board and approval by Council and is published online.

Current Stage:

Early Rapid Review - School visits - Early Rapid Review - School visits

Tranche 5

Stage 6

6. Draft Curriculum Specification developed and published

Guided by the Brief for their work and feedback from the consultation on the Background Paper, the Development Group prepare a draft curriculum specification. The  Draft Curriculum Specification is published following discussion at Board and approval by Council.

Current Stage:

Early Rapid Review - School visits - Early Rapid Review - School visits

Tranche 5

Stage 7

7. Consultation on the Draft Curriculum Specification

The public consultation on the draft Curriculum Specification opens between 1 September and 20 October, 2026.

1 Sep 2026 - 20 Oct 2025

Current Stage:

Early Rapid Review - School visits - Early Rapid Review - School visits

Tranche 5

Stage 8

8. Report on Consultation on Draft Curriculum Specification

The Report on the Consultation on the Draft Curriculum Specification has been approved by both the Board and Council and is published online. The Development Group use the findings from the Report on the Draft Specification to finalise the Specification.

Current Stage:

Early Rapid Review - School visits - Early Rapid Review - School visits

Tranche 5

Stage 9

9. Final Curriculum Specification approved by Council

The final Curriculum Specification is discussed by the Board and approved by Council before it can be sent to the Minister of Education and Youth for final approval.

Current Stage:

Early Rapid Review - School visits - Early Rapid Review - School visits

Tranche 5

Stage 10

10. Ministerial approval and publication

The specification has been approved by the Minister and is available on curriculumonline.ie

Current Stage:

Early Rapid Review - School visits - Early Rapid Review - School visits

Tranche 5

Stage 11

11. Guidelines to support the Additional Assessment Component published

The AAC Guidelines are developed by NCCA in conjunction with the State Examinations Commission and supported by the Department of Education and Youth, Oide and teacher focus groups.

Current Stage:

Early Rapid Review - School visits - Early Rapid Review - School visits

Tranche 5

Early Rapid Review - School visits

Early Rapid Review - School visits

This includes visiting a number of schools as part of the work in gathering feedback on the new curriculum and how it has been enacted in schools.

Current Stage:

Early Rapid Review - School visits - Early Rapid Review - School visits

Tranche 5

Early Rapid Review report is published

Early Rapid Review report is published

The Report on the Early Rapid Review of the new Curriculum Specification has been  published online.

Current Stage:

Early Rapid Review - School visits - Early Rapid Review - School visits

The process of developing a new Leaving Certificate Classical Studies specification began in November 2016.  The specification has been approved by Council of NCCA for public consultation and may be viewed here.

The consultation survey is available here and will remain open until 5pm on Friday 1st March 2019.

The Classical Studies Development Group consists of nominees from a range of education stakeholders including teacher and management bodies, Department of Education and Skills and the State Examinations Commission.

A new Leaving Certificate Classical Studies specification is in development.

The current Leaving Certificate Classical Studies syllabus is available here.

It is assessed at Higher and Ordinary levels.