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 Music will be introduced in schools from September 2029. The Development Group for the Senior Cycle Physical Education Framework 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.
The Background Paper and Brief for the review of Senior Cycle Physical Education is now available for consultation from March 2 to April 24 2026.
Consultation on the background paper and brief for the review of senior cycle PE
The Background Paper and Brief for the Review of Senior Cycle Physical Education has been approved for public consultation.
March 2 to April 24 2026.
The consultation period runs from the 2nd of March until the 24th of April.
The consultation involves in-depth engagement with a wide variety of stakeholders across Ireland. NCCA have also contacted schools to participate in school-based focus groups involving teachers, students and school leaders.
We invite you to get involved and have your say on the Background Paper and Brief.
If you are responding as an individual (teacher/parent/student/leader/teacher educator/lecturer/researcher) please complete the online survey.
If you are responding on behalf of an organisation, please complete the online submission form and return scconsultations@ncca.ie before 24th April at 5pm.
Background paper and brief for the review of senior cycle PE
SCPE aims to encourage learners’ confident, enjoyable and informed participation in physical activity while in senior cycle and in their future lives. The Framework is structured around six curriculum models. Each model provides a detailed map, including a rationale, planning, implementation and assessment guidance, all of which can be used in the design of a physical education programme in senior cycle.
The models are
- Health-related physical activity
- Sport education
- Contemporary issues in physical activity
- Adventure education
- Personal and social responsibility
- Teaching games for understanding
The framework builds on students’ prior learning in primary PE, and junior cycle PE short course and Junior Cycle Physical Education Framework (JCPE).
The Framework for SCPE is available here.
The official launch of the Senior Cycle Physical Education Framework took place on the 10th April 2018. Dr. Deborah Tannehill, Emeritus Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick
Senior Cycle Physical Education Framework: Dr. Deborah Tannehill
Emertius Faculty, University of Limerick
Check out video exemplification of each of the models in practise here.
Health Related Physical Activity
Health Related Physical Activity
Sport Education
Sport Education
Contemporary Issues in Physical Activity 1
Contemporary Issues in Physical Activity 1
Contemporary Issues in Physical Activity 2
Contemporary Issues in Physical Activity 2
Adventure Education
Adventure Education
Personal and Social Responsibility
Personal and Social Responsibility