The Senior Cycle is an important entry point at Sutton Park. The Leaving Certificate provides the pathway to University. It is a widely accepted course around the world and provides our students with the grades necessary to access universities in Ireland, UK, Mainland Europe and, indeed, worldwide colleges.
Academic attainment is high at Sutton Park. Our Leaving Certificate results are annually double the national percentage of attainment. 20% of our students for instance achieve 500 points or more (or 5 A Grades) against a national figure of under 9%. Well over 40%of our students achieve 450 points (or 3 A’s and 2 B’s) against 17% nationally. At 400 points we achieve double the national average with nearly 60%of our students achieving this impressive set of grades.
Our success at Leaving Certificate is a reflection of our small classes, the personal attention all the students receive and our Evening Study programme. Evening Study takes place every weekday evening from 5.30 – 8.30 pm in our well stocked library. Supervised regular quiet study time is essential for success in the Leaving Certificate and an important part of preparation for the challenges of University life. Students take advantage of this controlled study time. Our Evening Study facility provides a structured environment and a bright learning space for up to 40 students.
Sutton Park offers up to 20 subjects at Leaving Certificate. All students follow a core curriculum made up of the following subjects:- English (both Language & Literature) | Mathematics | Modern Foreign Language | Irish* (International students are exempt from this subject and often choose to study another Modern Language in this time-slot)
Our Option Subjects are grouped under the following headings:-
Within these groups of subjects students can choose various combinations. All students study at least 7 subjects. At the end of the 2 year course results in their best 6 subjects are added up and counted as points leading towards entry into University.
We advise students on all courses in the CAO, UCAS and American and European College and University system. Almost 100%of students matriculate to University and other 3rd level courses.
A programme of study skills and examination technique sessions is built into the 2 year Leaving Certificate programme at Sutton Park. Teaching and Learning is varied and students are encouraged to take up options that are broad and contain multiple assessments. Many option subjects have extensive coursework elements, practical applications and oral or aural requirements. All examinations are terminal and take place in the June of the 2nd Year of the Leaving Certificate.
Information Evenings, regular reports and parent teacher meetings ensure that our parent body are active partners in these two difficult and often challenging years.
