1. Welcome to Hartstown Community School
6th Year Information Evening

2. Subjects with 100% Exams English Maths Accounting Business Studies
Biology
Physics
Chemistry
Applied Maths

3. Subject
Project/ Tasks
Percentage
Religion
2nd draft by Xmas- Deadline April
20%
DCG
Begin Sept- end Jan
40%
Irish
Oral HL & OL
Spanish
HL Oral/ Aural
OL Oral/ Aural
25%/ 20%
20%/ 25%
Home Ec
Journal
French
HL Oral/ Listening
OL Oral/ Listening
German
Music
Practical
50%
Construction Studies
HL Day Practical/ Project Artefact/ Project File
OL Day Practical/ Project Artefact/ Project File
25%/
12.5% /
12.5%
30%/
15%/
15%

4. Subject
Project/ Tasks
Percentage
Engineering
Written project/ folder
Day Practical
25%
6 hour practical exam
Geography
Field Trip
20%
History
Project
Pol & Soc
Task
Art
10 week project (New)
50%
Life Drawing
12.5%

5. What can I do as a parent to help my child?
Encourage them to engage in active study after their homework each night. Study is exam preparation, and should be done along with their homework.
Engage in open discussions with students regarding their intentions, and options for when they finish school.
Ensure they have good attendance

6. VSWare Info

11. HCS Graduates 65-70% progress to College/University. Of these;
25%-30% go to Maynooth University.
30%-40% go to I.T. Blanchardstown.
5%-10% go to Trinity College, D.C.U., St. Patrick’s Drumcondra and U.C.D.
10%-20% progress to a Post Leaving Cert. College (P.L.C), for example Dunboyne College of further education to pursue courses such as Pre-University Arts/Science/Business.

12. Higher Education Institutions Some students go directly from their Leaving Certificate into Higher Education Institutions, based on the number of points achieved.
PLC/QQI Courses
Further education courses are designed to act as a stepping stone to 3rd level colleges and, to prepare students for work by giving them specific skills and training.
Leaving Certificate Applied Students may choose this route to progress to ITs or Universities
Not everyone goes straight into the CAO system after the Leaving Cert for a number of reasons.

13. PLC/QQI Level 5 Students apply directly to PLC/QQI Colleges.
The application date for some PLC courses is the end of November or early December.
Interviews are held normally in January/February.
The entry requirements is generally five O6’s in the Leaving Certificate or a merit/distinction in Leaving Cert Applied.
We strongly recommend students to consider all Third Level Options.
Many of our students have progressed to college through this ladder system.

14. Apprenticeships Alternative to going to a traditional college
Opportunity to earn money while training.
New apprenticeships
A great alternative to going to a traditional college, especially if you like working with your hands.

15. NEW GRADING SYSTEM Why change the points system?
…To encourage more students to take Higher Level Subjects
…To reduce the use of random selection for college places
…To reduce the number of awards from 14 to 8.

16. NEW CAO POINTS SYSTEM

17. The Points System
Students’ best 6 subjects are counted in the leaving certificate
The points for each course are based on supply and demand and the number of places available on the course
Students who achieve a minimum of a H6 in higher level maths will receive an additional 25 points in their leaving certificate.

18. CAO (Central Applications Office)
All students are encouraged to apply to the CAO before January 20th 2019 for the online reduced price of €30
Students complete a trial application in school
Students have 10 level 8 choices and 10 level 6&7 choices.
Applications to PLC Colleges are NOT made through the CAO

19. CAO (Central Applications Office)
The closing date for CAO applications is 1st February at 5.15pm
The CAO will accept late applications up to 1st May at 5.15pm but will charge a late fee
Once an application has been made, the CAO will allow for applicants to change their mind. Change of mind applications are accepted up to 1st July at 5.15pm

20. CAO (Central Applications Office)
When filling in the CAO form it is important that applicants place their courses in Order Of Preference (Their first choice of college is placed in the number one position and so on)
Apply for as many courses as possible. It is better to be faced with choices rather than try to pick up the vacant places, when the results come out

21. HEAR (Higher Education Access Route)
This is an admission scheme into college where students are offered places on reduced points and receive extra supports.
A number of financial, social and cultural criteria must be met to be eligible for the HEAR scheme.
Students must indicate if they wish to apply for the HEAR Scheme on their CAO form.
The HEAR application guide and all relevant information is available on
Hear is NOT the maintenance grant.
HANDOUT DISTRIBUTED TO PARENTS

22. DARE(Disability Access Route to Education)
This is a supplementary admissions scheme which offers college places on reduced points. Students must complete a (SIF) form.
Students may avail of a variety of academic, personal and social supports while studying in Third Level.
Consultant/Educational Assessments will be required for:
Autistic Spectrum Disorder (including Aspergers Syndrome)
ADD/ADHD,
Blind/Vision Impaired
Deaf/Hard of hearing
DCD-Dyspraxia/ Dysgraphia,
Mental Health Condition,
Neurological Conditions (incl. Brian Injury, Epilepsy, Speech and Language Disabilities)
Specific Learning Difficulty (incl. Dyslexia and Dyscalculia)
Significant On-going Illness.
Physical Disability

23. DARE(Disability Access Route to Education)
Consultant/Educational Assessments will be required for
Autistic Spectrum Disorder (including Aspergers Syndrome)
ADD/ADHD,
Blind/Vision Impaired
Deaf/Hard of hearing
DCD-Dyspraxia/ Dysgraphia,
Mental Health Condition,
Neurological Conditions (incl. Brain Injury, Epilepsy, Speech and Language Disabilities)
Specific Learning Difficulty (incl. Dyslexia and Dyscalculia)
Significant On-going Illness.
Physical Disability
ON HANDOUT

24. Financial Support
The grant is there to help with the various costs of participating in further or higher education.
It is means tested on income and number of dependent children
Look at financial year 1st January 2018–31st December 2018
Apply online at the end of April 2019 to
All information is available on

25. Financial Support Department of Education Student Support Unit:
Telephone
(Telephone: )

26. Guidance in Hartstown Community School
One class a week
Face to face meeting with their guidance counsellor
Access to IT
Higher Options Conference
ITB Open Day
Talks from DIT, NUI Maynooth, DCU and Dunboyne College of Further Education

27. CAREER CHOICES: USEFUL WEBSITES
For information on applying to college through the points system
For a list of and links to most courses available in Ireland, and
information on the subjects you need to do these courses
For information and videos on different types of jobs available in
Ireland
For information on apprenticeships/trades
For information on joining the army, navy, air corps

28. CAREER CHOICES: USEFUL WEBSITES
For information on engineering as a career
For information on becoming a nurse
For information on getting a job working with horses
For information and applying to college in England, Scotland, Wales &
Northern Ireland
For information on joining the Gardaí
For information on getting a job working for the government/civil
service

29. CAREER CHOICES: USEFUL WEBSITES
For information on careers in tourism
For information on financial support for students
For information on the Access scheme (HEAR/DARE)
For information on careers in the fishing industry
For information on courses and careers in the IT and
computer industry
For up-to-date news on careers and college places. Sign up for daily
notices

30. Thank you for attending