Studying Politics & Society Independently
Live online tuition to help 6th Year students, looking to study a subject outside of school, prepare with confidence for the 2024 Leaving Certificate Exams.
Subject choice is a vital part of student success in the Leaving Certificate. The challenge of the Leaving Certificate is less daunting when students study subjects that they are interested in, or are related to their field of future study or simply subjects that they are good at. Unfortunately, sometimes students are unable to access the subjects they want in their schools. Over the last 40 Years, students have attended weekly grinds at The Institute of Education and with the help of our teachers studied many subjects outside of school, over the last number of years, the number of students taking this “independent” option has increased.
This year we are introducing a specific course for students who are studying a subject outside or independently of their school. Unlike “grinds”, students attending this class will be assigned homework, class tests will be set, feedback will be provided through a formal Christmas report. Students will be expected to fully participate in class, the teachers will know your name! The weekly class time is 120 minutes, over 29 weeks, this extra class time will allow our teacher dedicate sufficient time to covering the syllabus. The majority of the tuition will be delivered online. Depending on the subject, a small number of classes may be delivered onsite.
While the focus of the classes will be Leaving Certificate 2024, students preparing for Leaving Certificate 2025 will be permitted to attend the course. Student preparing for Leaving Certificate 2025, may not be required to attend all classes (depending on project components and practical requirements), and a 50% discount will be applied for the 2nd year of the course.
Taking on a subject out side of school is a significant undertaking, it requires hard work and perseverance, but with the exceptional teachers on this course, it is very possible and can be hugely rewarding.
Students studying a subject outside of school with us receive:
- Access to expert teachers
- Answers to their questions
- Exam focused notes
- Exam strategies & examiner insights
- Recordings of all live classes to rewatch right up to the end of the 2024 Leaving Certificate exams
Our formula for success:
Expert Teachers + Exam Focused Notes + Live Class Recordings = Better Leaving Cert Results
(The school data policy is available to view here.)
Students studying a subject outside of school with us receive:
- Access to expert teachers
- Answers to their questions
- Exam focused notes
- Exam strategies & examiner insights
This course will feature:
- Class duration 120 minutes/week
- Homework assigned and corrections shared
- At Least 1 Progress Test (Christmas) with report
- A Mock Exam
- Support with Projects, where appropriate
Below, you will find more about what will be covered on this Politics & Society course.
The teacher for this course is Jerome Devitt.
For the full course outline and schedule of topics per class, please click here.
Our live online classes are taught by our expert teachers using Microsoft Teams. This technology is reliable, intuitive and familiar to many students. It allows the teachers to dedicate their full attention to teaching and students to focus on learning.
This method of class delivery offers many advantages to students:
Interaction: Each student can interact with their teacher before, during and after class. Similarly, teachers can interact with their students either individually or as a class group
Progression: This two-way communication enables teachers to accurately gauge students’ ongoing progress and understanding
Clarification: Students may message their teachers directly if they prefer to seek further explanation on a particular point without interrupting the class
Over 4,000 students attended online classes with us in the last 12 months. 97% of students who did so said that they were very satisfied with the class delivery and format.
Our commitment to you: whether you choose to attend your classes online or on-site you can be assured that the outcome will be exceptional
Please note:
Login details for online classes will be issued to students by email before the start of the course.
We have provided answers to other Frequently Asked Questions below, but if you have any other questions, please contact info@instituteofeducation.ie.
Online Grinds FAQs
Click on each question for the answer>>
Q: If I enrol in an online class, can I also avail of classes at Leeson Street?Q: How do I access my online classes?
A: Students enrolled on the course will receive an email from us containing their unique login details and links to access their chosen subjects. Login credentials will be sent in advance of course start date. Only those details sent to you will enable you to successfully access classes online.
Q: How are the online hosted?
A: All online classes are hosted live on Microsoft Teams. The links to the weekly classes are accessed via Moodle. Students must sign into both Moodle and MS Teams with the @instituteofeducation.ie login credentials sent to the student.
Q: Are the online classes pre-recorded?
A: No, each online class is streamed live as per the timetable. Recordings of classes will be available after each live class is completed. These can then be replayed as a revision aid.
Q: Will I have access to recordings of the live classes?
A: Yes, recordings of classes will be available after each live class is completed. These can then be replayed as a revision aid. These will be available up until the end of the State exams 2023.
Q: Are there any specific requirements to attending online classes?
A: We would advise that all students enrolling in our online grinds have the following:
• Access to a reliable wifi service.
• Access to a PC, Laptop, Tablet, or similar device.
• We would not recommend using a mobile phone.
• Headphones/earphones.
Q: If I'm attending the online classes will I have access to the notes?
A: Yes, students enrolled in online classes will receive a monthly delivery of notes for each chosen subject. Please allow five working days for delivery from the time of booking.
Q: Are the class notes available online?
A: No, a hard copy will be posted out to each student for the subjects they enrol in, on a monthly basis.
Q: How long is each weekly class?
A: Each class lasts 120 minutes.
Q: How much is the fee per class?
A: The total fee for this course is €1,750.
Q: Can I cancel my classes and get a refund?
A: Yes, though please note: Classes are taught for 29 weeks. A refund (or partial refund) can be given for requests made on or before Week 17, 28th January 2023. A request for a refund can be made by contacting our office on 01 6613511 or helpdesk@instituteofeducation.ie
Q: How many weeks of tuition are there in the weekly course?
A: There are 29 weeks of tuition between September and May. Students will have one class per subject booked per week (29 classes).
Q: Are there any breaks or holidays during the year for students attending weekly classes?
A: Yes, the classes schedule generally follows the normal school calendar with breaks at mid-terms, Christmas & Easter. Please refer to the timetable for more details
Q: Is attendance at weekly classes and part-time courses monitored?
A: Yes, attendance is monitored for each class attended. The Institute however accepts no responsibility for students who fail to attend class.
Q: What style are the classes conducted in? Can students ask questions?
A: Our classes run in a more lecture style than most students might be used to in school, but they are also interactive, and teachers will use a variety of methods to ensure that students can learn and understand and feel comfortable asking questions and contributing to the class.
Q: For weekly classes, does the beginning of a new term mean the start of a new course?
A: No, in the weekly classes each subject commences in September and runs through to the end of the academic year in May. Students can catch up on what they have missed by reviewing the previous class recordings and notes.
Q: If I want to join weekly classes during the year, can I find out what is yet to be covered on the course and what I have missed?
A: Each teacher has their own individual teaching plan for the year and will be able to advise on this.
Q: My son/daughter cannot attend the weekly classes. Can we buy the notes?
A: No, teaching is a central part of all our courses and classes. The notes are to facilitate recall and revision of what was covered in class by the teacher.
For the Academic Year 2023/24 this Politics & Society Course will take place every Tuesday at 17:30 as per the Weekly Schedule below.
NOTE: All classes are 120 minutes in duration.
*Students may join at any stage throughout the year, subject to availability.
| Week | Week Commencing | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4th Sept 2023 | First Week |
| 2 | 11th Sept 2023 | |
| 3 | 18th Sept 2023 | |
| 4 | 25th Sept 2023 | |
| 5 | 2nd Oct 2023 | |
| 6 | 9th Oct 2023 | |
| 7 | 16th Oct 2023 | |
| 8 | 23rd Oct 2023 | |
| No Classes | 30th Oct 2023 | Mid-Term |
| 9 | 6th Nov 2023 | |
| 10 | 13th Nov 2023 | |
| 11 | 20th Nov 2023 | |
| 12 | 27th Nov 2023 | |
| 13 | 4th Dec 2023 | |
| 14 | 11th Dec 2023 | |
| No Classes | 18th Dec 2023 | Christmas |
| No Classes | 25th Dec 2023 | Christmas |
| No Classes | 1st Jan 2024 | Christmas |
| 15 | 8th Jan 2024 | |
| 16 | 15th Jan 2024 | |
| 17 | 22nd Jan 2024 | |
| 18 | 29th Jan 2024 | |
| 19 | 5th Feb 2024 | St. Brigid's Bank Holiday* |
| No Classes | 12th Feb 2024 | Mid-Term |
| 20 | 19th Feb 2024 | |
| 21 | 26th Feb 2024 | |
| 22 | 4th March 2024 | |
| 23 | 11th March 2024 | |
| 24 | 18th March 2024 | |
| No Classes | 25th March 2024 | Easter |
| No Classes | 1st April 2024 | Easter |
| 25 | 8th April 2024 | |
| 26 | 15th April 2024 | |
| 27 | 22nd April 2024 | |
| 28 | 29th April 2024 | |
| 29 | 6th May 2024 | **May Bank Holiday. No classes Mon 6th May. Classes as normal Tuesday 7th to Saturday 11th May. |
*Classes will be taught on Bank Holiday Monday 5th Feb ’24
**No classes on Bank Holiday Monday 6th May’24. Classes will be taught instead on Monday 27th May.
The fee for enrolling in this course is: €1,550.
All students joining our weekly classes now will receive access to recordings of all the classes for which they have enrolled. In addition, they will have access to recordings of the classes that have already taken place since the start of the course. This is an invaluable aid when it comes to revision. Class recordings are available to the end of State Exams 2024.
Please note:
- Card payments accepted.
- 10% reduction for the second and subsequent members of the same family, attending the same courses. Please contact our office to avail of this discount.
- Fees are non-transferable.
- Installment payment option available (Not available online – Please phone to avail of this payment plan – 01 661 3511)
- Installment 1 due when order is placed. Installment 1 pays for weeks 8 to 17.
- Installment 2 due before Monday 29th Jan 2024 (Start week 18).
Testimonials
It was like being in the classroom even though I was at home. The course was very useful and the notes are incredible!
– Brian, 6th Year Student
I liked how interactive it was and how comprehensively all the material was covered. I thought the teacher was excellent.
– Ava, 5th Year Student
My daughter attended classes at the Institute. She found the lessons to be excellent; well-structured and focused. The teachers were top-class and provided excellent advice and encouragement. The lecture notes are superb!
– Grainne (Parent)