NCCA advises the Minister for Education and Youth 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 Politics and Society will be introduced in schools from September 2028. The Development Group for Leaving Certificate Politics and Society 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 the background paper and brief for the review for this subject, and a note from each of the development group meetings.
Current Stage
Stage 4
Consultation on BGP and Brief
The public consultation on the Background Paper and Brief is open between 1 October and 17 November.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.
Stage 4 - Consultation on BGP and Brief
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.
Stage 4 - Consultation on BGP and Brief
Subject Timeline
Development Group convened
The Development Group was convened on 29 September, 2025 and is due to complete its work by September, 2027.
Stage 4 - Consultation on BGP and Brief
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.
Stage 4 - Consultation on BGP and Brief
Subject Timeline
Consultation on BGP and Brief
The public consultation on the Background Paper and Brief is open between 1 October and 17 November.
1 Oct 2025 - 17 Nov 2025
Stage 4 - Consultation on BGP and Brief
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.
Stage 4 - Consultation on BGP and Brief
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.
Stage 4 - Consultation on BGP and Brief
Subject Timeline
Consultation on the Draft Curriculum Specification
The public consultation on the draft Curriculum Specification will open following Council approval.
Stage 4 - Consultation on BGP and Brief
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.
Stage 4 - Consultation on BGP and Brief
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.
Stage 4 - Consultation on BGP and Brief
Subject Timeline
Ministerial approval and publication
The specification has been approved by the Minister and is available on curriculumonline.ie
Stage 4 - Consultation on BGP and Brief
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.
Stage 4 - Consultation on BGP and Brief
The Background Paper for Leaving Certificate Politics and Society was made available for consultation from October 1 to November 17 2025. The consultation is now closed.
Background paper and brief for the review of Leaving Certificate Politics and Society
- Social and Political Education Senior Cycle: a background paper September 2006
- Report on consultation on Social and Political Education in Senior Cycle: a background paper May 2007
- Research on young people's areas of interest in Politics and Society Draft report June 2008
- Senior Cycle Politics and Society: Report on the Consultation (March 2010)