Applying themselves to the Leaving Cert

The relaxed smiles adorning the faces of the two sixth-year students are in stark contrast to what one would expect in these pressured times.

And it all seems to be down to the Leaving Cert Applied. Carly Wosser's verdict on the programme: "It's not too hard. I know how to do everything - it's cool."

Now in sixth year in the Liberties College, Dublin, Carly says the project-based course means there is very little pressure. Subjects include English/communications, maths, metalwork, cookery, Irish, French and religion.

Classmate Jessica O'Connell is enthusiastic about the metalwork. "Its deadly, brilliant. It may be just the teacher, he's very happy." He's never in bad humour, Carly chimes in. Jessica is going to make a fireside set as her project, while Carly is undecided yet.

The project-based approach means the students are often away from the classroom. Carly says: "In English, we go to see films. At the moment we're studying `I went down' and the teacher will be bringing us to see `My Left Foot'." Jessica says there's always something happening in class - an outing or some-one coming in.

Both students enjoyed their work experience. Jessica spent a week working as a chambermaid in a hotel and then worked in an office. "I wouldn't like to work in an office; I would work in a bar but I wouldn't clean rooms." Her dream career is air hostess and she hopes to work her way to that via a Post Leaving Certificate course with languages. `I`m a very happy person. I love making new friends...and I want to travel."

Carly did work experience in the offices of a Dublin radio station, FM104. She also helped out in the studio. She is thinking of doing a PLC course in computing, or possibly radio or photography. Both Jessica and Carly anticipate continuing their studies at Liberties College which offers a substantial array of PLC courses. "We would rather come here and do the course, we know the teachers, they're great, we just get along all the time," says Carly.

But careers and courses are for the future. Carly and Jessica are "more worried about the Debs than anything else. This year, we have to try and organise it, get everyone to pay the deposit and join with another school - there's only 12 in our school. The only problem with this school is the Debs - too few students."

Other "worries" include the possibility of organising a trip to Romania as one of their fellow students is Romanian. Last year, they went to an adventure centre in Ireland and did rock-climbing, canoeing, orienteering and archery. Although both girls say this was brilliant, this year they feel a trip abroad is called for.

"When we go away we learn a lot more," Carly says. "When we come back we do essays, and write about it. And when we came back from work experience we did a project about that."

Jessica comments: "Everything we do becomes a project."

Carly and Jessica are upbeat about the exams next summer. They say they know their tasks went well. "We can pass on all our projects and the rest will just give us extra points," says Jessica.

LCA co-ordinator Statia Somers says Liberties College has been offering the LCA since 1995. Specialisms include hotel, catering and tourism, engineering, community care, craft and design. Students are guaranteed a place on a PLC course in the college if they complete the LCA successfully.

The college has some 120 second-level students and the LCA is the only senior-cycle option at present. The LCA includes vocational preparation, general education and vocational education. Students are assessed under three headings: satisfactory completion of modules, performance of tasks and the final exams, which account for one-third of the marks.

Successful candidates get a pass, merit or distinction and the LCA is accepted for admission to the vast majority of Post-Leaving Cert (PLC) courses. Students cannot progress directly to third level but may find their way there via the PLC links scheme.

Somers says the LCA is well suited to Liberties College. "The problem is trying to raise the expectations of students so that they complete senior cycle," she says. One of the most positive things to happen, she says, has been the school's involvement with the Dublin Schools Business Partnership, a Chamber of Commerce initiative.

This links schools with companies which may then provide supports such as mock interviews, mentoring or work experience. "When business people come in, wearing suits, it's a vote of confidence in our students," Somers says.

Ciara Heslin, personnel manager of Deutsche International in Dublin's International Financial Services Centre, says it's a two-way process. The company also gains. She cites the employment of two former Liberties College students - Jennifer Foley and Emma Hogan - as a major boon to the company. "They are two fantastic people. "We have been involved with Liberties College since 1996 giving work experience to students, mock induction, and advice on interview skills." The company has also contributed computers.

Jennifer Foley has been with Deutsche International since 1997. After completing the Leaving Cert, she went to Ballsbridge College of Business Studies to do a secretarial course.

The liberties connection with Deutschebank secured work experience for her - initially for a week and then every Wednesday for six months. Afterwards, Jennifer says: "They asked me to come in for an interview for secretarial work and I was offered a job, processing orders, distributing faxes and typing."

She was promoted to an assistant fund controller's position in September this year and has started a night course on a mutual funds course in Dublin Business School.

Emma Hogan, a new company recruit, is waiting in the wings. As part of the LCA in Liberties College, Emma spent two weeks doing work experience with the company. "Everybody was very nice, it was really interesting work, not just filing. In March, I returned for another two weeks."

Midway through her Leaving Cert in June, Ciara Heslin called Emma and asked her for an interview. The company offered her a job and an opportunity to continue her studies.

"I began work on July 5th and starting learning how to type and use computers. I'm doing the secretarial work Jennifer did." As to the future, she says Jennifer is her role model. And both girls serve as role models to those currently completing the LCA in the Liberties College.