NCCA advises the Minister for Education on curriculum and assessment for early childhood education, for primary and post-primary schools. As part of the broader redevelopment of senior cycle, it is envisaged that a revised specification for Leaving Certificate Physics will be introduced in schools from September 2024. The Development Group for Leaving Certificate Physics will have a key role in this work. The group includes nominees of the education partners and other key education agencies.
Below you will find information on the subject development work including an easy to read graphic timeline highlighting the main stages of development and all published reports as they become available as well as a note from each of the development group meetings.
Subject Timeline
This timeline shows all the steps involved in the development of this subject specification. It indicates which stages have already been completed, which stages are yet to be undertaken and which stage is currently the active stage.
Subject Timeline
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.
Subject Timeline
Development Group convened
The Development Group was convened on 30 September, 2025 and is due to complete its work by September, 2027.
Subject Timeline
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.
Subject Timeline
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
Subject Timeline
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.
Subject Timeline
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.
Subject Timeline
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
Subject Timeline
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.
Subject Timeline
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.
Subject Timeline
Ministerial approval and publication
The specification has been approved by the Minister and is available on curriculumonline.ie
Subject Timeline
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.
- Consultation on Draft Specification
- New Physics Specification Development Work
- Development Group Meeting: Short descriptions
- Previous Subject Development
The draft Leaving Certificate Biology, Chemistry and Physics specifications were made available for national public consultation from December 8th, 2023, to February 23rd, 2024. The aim of this consultation was to seek the open and honest views of the public in relation to the curriculum and assessment arrangements in the new draft specifications for Leaving Certificate Biology, Chemistry and Physics, and to gain insights into participants’ overall impressions of the specifications.
The Draft Specification for Leaving Certificate Physics has been approved for public consultation.
The consultation period ran from Friday the 8th of December until Friday the 23rd of February, 2023.
The consultation involved in-depth engagement with a wide variety of stakeholders across Ireland. NCCA also contacted schools to participate in school-based focus groups involving teachers, students and school leaders.
The feedback from this consultation will help to inform the work of the Leaving Certificate Physics Development Group in refining the draft specification prior to final approval and publication.
The draft Leaving Certificate Biology, Chemistry and Physics specifications were made available for national public consultation from December 8th, 2023, to February 23rd, 2024. The aim of this consultation was to seek the open and honest views of the public in relation to the curriculum and assessment arrangements in the new draft specifications for Leaving Certificate Biology, Chemistry and Physics, and to gain insights into participants’ overall impressions of the specifications.
The consultation involved in-depth engagement with a wide variety of stakeholders across Ireland. NCCA also contacted schools to participate in school-based focus groups involving teachers, students and school leaders.
The feedback from this consultation will help to inform the work of the Leaving Certificate Physics Development Group in refining the draft specification prior to final approval and publication.
Report on the Drat Specification for Physics
The Draft Specification for Leaving Certificate Physics has been approved for public consultation.
The consultation period ran from Friday the 8th of December until Friday the 23rd of February, 2023.
Draft Specification for Physcics
The first phase of NCCA's public consultation on the Background Paper and brief for the review of Leaving Certificate Physics, Chemistry and Biology has closed.
Report on the Background Paper and Brief for Physics
Publication of the Background Paper and brief for the review of Leaving Certificate Physics, Chemistry and Biology has been approved. Publication of the Background Paper and brief for the review of Leaving Certificate Physics, Chemistry and Biology has been approved. Publication of the Background Paper and brief for the review of Leaving Certificate Physics, Chemistry and Biology has been approved. Publication of the Background Paper and brief for the review of Leaving Certificate Physics, Chemistry and Biology has been approved. Publication of the Background Paper and brief for the review of Leaving Certificate Physics, Chemistry and Biology has been approved. Publication of the Background Paper and brief for the review of Leaving Certificate Physics, Chemistry and Biology has been approved. Publication of the Background Paper and brief for the review of Leaving Certificate Physics, Chemistry and Biology has been approved.
Publication of the Background Paper and brief for the review of Leaving Certificate Physics, Chemistry and Biology has been approved.
Background Paper and Brief for Physics
Agreed short descriptions of meetings that have taken place can be accessed below:
- SDG Meeting # 19 AND 20 17 and 18/04/2024
- SDG Meeting # 18 7/03/24
- SDG Meeting # 17 6/11/23
- SDG Meeting # 16 12/10/23
- SDG Meeting # 15 05/10/21
- SDG Meeting #14 - 130921
- SDG Meeting #13 - 140521
- SDG Meeting #12 - 230421
- SDG Meeting #11 - 260321
- SDG Meeting #10 - 050321
- SDG Meeting #9 - 110221
- SDG Meeting #8 - 101220
- SDG Meeting #7 - 111120
- SDG Meeting #6 - 231020
- SDG Meeting #5 - 270220
- SDG Meeting #4 - 030120
- SDG Meeting #3 - 091219
- SDG Meeting #2 - 131119
- SDG Meeting #1 - 071019
Agreed short descriptions of meetings that have taken place can be accessed below:
- SDG Meeting # 19 AND 20 17 and 18/04/2024
- SDG Meeting # 18 7/03/24
- SDG Meeting # 17 6/11/23
- SDG Meeting # 16 12/10/23
- SDG Meeting # 15 05/10/21
- SDG Meeting #14 - 130921
- SDG Meeting #13 - 140521
- SDG Meeting #12 - 230421
- SDG Meeting #11 - 260321
- SDG Meeting #10 - 050321
- SDG Meeting #9 - 110221
- SDG Meeting #8 - 101220
- SDG Meeting #7 - 111120
- SDG Meeting #6 - 231020
- SDG Meeting #5 - 270220
- SDG Meeting #4 - 030120
- SDG Meeting #3 - 091219
- SDG Meeting #2 - 131119
- SDG Meeting #1 - 071019
The development of a new Leaving Certificate Physics specification began in November 2006. The draft specification was published for consultation in 2009. The consultation report is available here
The specification for Physics included a proposal for practical assessment. A trial of the practical assessment by the SEC was undertaken and completed in 2018. The draft specification was reviewed in light of the trial, and the consultations, but was not implemented.
The Physics Development Group consisted of the nominees from a range of education stakeholders including teacher and management bodies, Department of Education and Skills, and the State Examinations Commission.