New Leaving Cert subject to be rolled out this September

40 schools around Ireland will kick it off.

Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton has announced that Computer Science will become a new Leaving Cert subject starting this September. 40 schools around Ireland will have Computer Science as part of their curriculum and will be the first schools to sit an exam on the subject in 2020. Today’s announcement is one of a range of actions the Minister is taking in this area, as outlined in his STEM strategy and Action Plan for Education, which aims to make Ireland the best education and training service in Europe by 2026. Students will learn about programming languages and how to read, write, test and modify computer programs. They will also be taught computational thinking, creative design and how to analyse problems in computational terms. Students will also learn how to design computational artefacts such as web pages, digital animations, simulations, games, apps and robotic systems. Announcing the new subject, Mr Bruton said: "There is a digital revolution taking place which is having a transformative effect on our economy, workplace, and lifestyle. In order to be the best in Europe, our education system must respond to these changes. The introduction of this new subject will teach our young people flexible, solution orientated thinking." The 40 participating schools are listed below.

Abbey Vocational School		The Glebe, Donegal Town, Co. Donegal
Adamstown Community College		Station Rd, Adamstown, Co. Dublin
Breifne College		Cootehill Rd, Cavan, Co. Cavan
Bush Post Primary		Riverstown, Dundalk, Co. Louth
Carrigaline Community School		Waterpark, Carrigaline, Co. Cork
Castleblayney College		Dublin Road, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan
Christ King Girls Secondary School		Half Moon Lane, South Douglas Road, Cork
Clongowes Wood College		Clane, Co. Kildare
Coláiste an Chraoibhin		Duntaheen Road, Fermoy, Co. Cork
Coláiste Bríde		New Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22
Coláiste Chiaráin		Croom, Co. Limerick
Coláiste Choilm		Ballincollig, Co. Cork
Coláiste Mhuire		Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
Coláiste na Ríochta		Listowel, Co. Kerry
Colaiste Phadraig		Roselawn, Lucan, Co. Dublin
Coláiste Pobail Setanta		Phibblestown CC, Phibblestown, Dublin 15
Creagh College		Carnew Road, Gorey, Co. Wexford
Dominican College Sion Hill		Sion Hill, Blackrock, Co Dublin
Ennistymon Vocational School		Ennistymon, Ennis, Co. Clare
Gaelcholaiste Mhuire AG		An Mhainistir Thuaidh, Corcaigh
Le Chéile Secondary School		Hollystown Road, Tyrellstown, Dublin 15
Loreto College		Swords, Co. Dublin
Luttrellstown Community College		Mill Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
Mayfield Community School		Old Youghal Road, Mayfield, Cork
Moate Community School		Church Street, Moate, Co. Westmeath
Mount Sion CBS		Barrack Street, Waterford
Mount Temple Comprehensive		Malahide Road, Dublin 3
Presentation Secondary school		Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
Rice College		Castlebar Road, Westport, Co. Mayo
Sacred Heart Secondary School		Convent of Mercy, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
Saint Eunan's College		Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
St Aidan's Comprehensive School		Cootehill, Co. Cavan
St Brigids Mercy Secondary School		Convent Of Mercy, Tuam, Co. Galway
St Joseph's Secondary School		Convent Lane, Rush, Co. Dublin
St Mary's CBS		Millpark Road, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford
St Vincent's Secondary School		Seatown Place, Dundalk, Co. Louth
St. Finian's Community College		Swords, Co. Dublin
Stratford College		1 Zion Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6
Synge St CBS		Synge St., Dublin 8
Terenure College		Templeogue Road, Terenure, Dublin 6W