A decision has been made to defer the Leaving Certificate this summer, offering students a system of Calculated Grades instead.
Minister for Education Joe McHugh has today confirmed that Leaving Cert exams, due to take place later this summer, will be deferred - with students being offered a system of calculated grades instead.
The new Department of Education plans were brought to Cabinet earlier this morning, with Cabinet ministers agreeing to defer the exams in favour of a system of calculated grades in which points will be awarded based on students' classwork.
It's believed that calculated grades will be generated using a 'systematic statistical model' which will combine estimates of a student's expected performance with the school's statistical profiles of achievement.
According to Minister McHugh, Leaving Cert students will be contacted through their school to discuss whether they want to opt for calculated grades or not. Students will also have the opportunity to appeal grades or opt to sit the exams at a later stage - when it is considered safe to do so.
Last month, it was announced that the Junior Cert will be abandoned in favour of school-based assessments.
More to follow. 
