On what is a very different day than might have been anticipated, today the class of 2020 received their Leaving Cert results today, following the completion of the Calculated Grades process. Over 60, 000 students receive their Leaving Cert Results.

According to reports this year saw an increase in grade values of 4.4pc after teachers assessed their own pupils when the exams were cancelled because of Covid-19. At higher level, every single subject recorded more H1 grades than last year or the year before. 8.9pc of grades in higher-level subjects were H1s, compared with an average 5.6pc over the past three years.

The class of 2020 faced a unique set of circumstances and the decision to provide students with Calculated Grades was taken with the very best interests of students at heart and in full consultation with the partners in education.

Education Minister Norma Foley sent her congratulations and best wishes in a letter to the Leaving Certificate Class of 2020:

“This is a very different day from what we had anticipated for you, and from what you had planned and dreamed for yourselves. I do appreciate what an especially difficult time you have had over the past six months, and I want to commend you for the patience, courage and resilience you have shown in that time.

“The creation of the Calculated Grades system came about to ensure there would be a mechanism to enable the class of 2020 to progress to work or further and higher education on completion of your second level school experience.

“This has been a challenging time for students, their families and school communities. However, I do believe what has been created is the fairest possible solution given the extraordinary circumstances in which we find ourselves as we journey together through the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, with confidence, you can look back with pride on all that you have achieved and look forward with courage to the next exciting phase of your lives.”

The overall number of students due to sit the examinations in 2020 is 60,419.

Of those 57,569 students followed the Leaving Certificate (Established) programme, of which 13,470 (22.2%) followed the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme.

A further 2,850 (4.7%) candidates followed the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme. Students are receiving results for the first time today in the new subjects of Computer Science and Physical Education.

Students can access their results through the student portal from 9 am.

A Student Information Guide has also been produced to assist students in understanding their results, accessing their marks, making an appeal against a result and providing details of the later written examinations. This will be available on www.gov.ie/leavingcertificate.

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