A total of almost 58,550 candidates received their Leaving Cert results yesterday (Wednesday ), including one outstanding Marist College student who gained top honours.
Alan Parker, whose father John teaches at the Marist College, and whose mother Joan is school secretary, achieved the maximum 625 points. Two other Marist students gained 600 points apiece.
Speaking following the news, Deputy Principal at Marist College, Michael Dermody commented: “This is a fantastic achievement and is a reflection of the hard work that has been put in by Alan. We are very proud of his outstanding achievement, and with the results overall. The students have got their rewards, and I would like to remind them that today is not an ending; it is a beginning - of their future careers.”
Across Westmeath some 1,431 students - 741 female and 690 male - sat the Leaving Cert with a further 20 taking the LCAP (LC Applied ).
In Roscommon, the total was 493, of whom 247 were female and 246 male; with 24 taking the LCAP. Offaly fielded a total of 857, 439 female and 418 male, and 82 LCAP candidates.
According to the State Examinations Commission, there has been an upward shift in participation rates at Higher Level across almost all subjects. While the overall range of results obtained in 2017 remain broadly in line with those of previous years, this shift has had some impact on the results profiles at both Higher and Ordinary levels.
A new grading system was applied to all Leaving Certificate subjects in 2017, reducing the number of grades from 14 in the old system, in place since 1992, to eight. There has been no change in the examination standards but candidates’ results are reported differently through the new grading system.
If they are unhappy with a particular mark, candidates can view one or more of their marked examination scripts to help them to decide whether to lodge an appeal against a result. The closing date for receipt of completed application forms to view scripts is Tuesday, August 22 and all appeal applications must be with the State Examinations Commission by 5pm on Wednesday, September 6.
A helpline facility will be operating from early on August 16 to provide information and advice to students and parents. The helpline number operated by the National Parents’ Council (Post-Primary ) is: 1800 265 165.
