Where to Repeat?

There are a number of options for students repeating the Leaving Cert. Students can return to their old school, transfer to another school, or attend a dedicated Repeat Leaving Certificate course. Each of these options has its pros and cons.

Returning to your old school has its advantages. It’s a familiar environment and you already know your teachers and some of the other students. Not everyone deems these as positive aspects, however; some people find it disheartening to return to their old school, especially when most of their friends have moved on. Transferring to another secondary school in your area is another option; a new setting could help to focus your mind.

Popular alternatives are private institutions or ‘grind’ schools, which concentrate solely on the fifth and/or sixth year. Students enter a dedicated repeat class or into the college’s sixth year. (If you do enter into sixth year, don’t worry about being left behind. These colleges are well aware of the challenges facing repeat students and will make sure that you are quickly incorporated into the learning process.) Many of these colleges are very focused and offer students additional services, such as flexible timetables, examination techniques and study skills seminars, to give students a good opportunity to improve their results and CAO opportunities.

It is also possible to take a dedicated Repeat Leaving Certificate course at VEC schools and further education colleges throughout the country. These courses tend to have a mixture of repeat students and mature students who might have left school early. The advantage of these dedicated courses is that everyone is at the same stage, taking a one-year course, and teachers realise that you will not have covered certain areas before.

There are a number of factors to consider when you are deciding where to repeat the Leaving Certificate. Cost is an issue – courses at further education institutions average at around €200, whereas private institutions can charge in excess of €5,000. There is also the cost of spending an extra year in education to consider. Repeat students are not eligible for maintenance grant payments, although mature students may be able to receive benefits such as the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA). Some students decide to move to a city such as Dublin or Cork to attend a private Repeat Leaving Certificate institution, which is similar to college in terms of the costs and practical considerations involved.

Whatever choice you make, it’s important to do plenty of research beforehand. If possible, talk to past pupils about their experiences. Ask them relevant questions about classes and study aids. If taking the college route, you should also pay a visit to the college itself to satisfy any queries you might have. It is also a good idea to make an appointment to talk to the principal or a guidance counsellor if this is possible. They should be able answer any queries you may have to assist you in your decision, such as information on class sizes, subjects on offer and the average points increase for repeating students at their institution.