5th Year Physical Education Studying Independently

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The new 5th Year Leaving Certificate Physical Education (LCPE) course, introduced from September 2026, is designed to be much more integrated, practical and reflective than the previous specification. Rather than treating theory and practical work separately, students learn concepts through active participation in physical activity while developing the skills needed for both the written examination and the new Physical Education Project. 

The course is organised into three strands:

The course places a much greater emphasis on:

• Applying theory in practical settings.
• Collecting and analysing performance data.
• Reflection and self-evaluation.
• Goal setting and performance improvement.
• Using technology to analyse movement.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving rather than memorising facts. 

Assessment is now split equally between:

• 50% Physical Education Project (completed during the course and externally assessed).
• 50% Written examination (2½ hours). 

 Project 

The new Physical Education Project is the Additional Assessment Component (AAC) worth 50% of the Leaving Certificate Physical Education grade. The remaining 50% comes from the written examination. All students complete the project from the same SEC Brief, which is released in Term 2 (January) of fifth year, while the written exam is taken at Higher or Ordinary Level. 

Purpose of the project

The project is designed to assess students’ ability to apply theory to practical physical activity rather than simply recalling knowledge. Students must demonstrate that they can:

·       Plan and organise a project.

·       Engage in physical activity.

·       Demonstrate and analyse skill performance.

·       Evaluate their progress using evidence.

·       Communicate their findings in a structured report. 

The SEC Brief

Each January the SEC issues a Brief which:

·       Sets the theme or focus of the project.

·       Identifies the core concepts students must address.

·       Gives submission requirements (word count, file format, multimedia limits, deadlines, etc.).

·       May include stimulus material such as articles, videos or data. 

Core concepts that may be assessed

The Brief may focus on one or more of:

·       Skill and technique

·       Tactical/compositional components

·       Physiological demands (including fitness)

·       Psychological preparedness

·       Nutrition 

 The new project shifts the emphasis away from a traditional written assignment towards an investigative, evidence-based process in which students plan, participate, analyse and reflect on physical activity over several weeks, culminating in a report that demonstrates both practical and theoretical understanding. 

• 50% Physical Education Project (completed during the course and externally assessed).
• 50% Written examination (2½ hours).