4th Year Weekly Grinds
Lay the Groundwork for Leaving Cert Success
Our 4th Year Weekly Grinds are designed to help students achieve better results.
Over 29 weeks, you’ll work with some of the country’s best teachers who will help you strengthen your subject knowledge, develop key learning strategies, and build the confidence and discipline that will support you right through to the Leaving Cert.
Students can choose to study through fully interactive online and/or onsite classes at our Institute campus at Leeson Street.
All students attending online classes will receive their exam-focused course notes in the post.
Exam-Focused Notes
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FREE Class Recordings
Rewatch until the end of the State Exams 2026
To learn more about what will be covered in each subject, please select from the list below:
EnglishEnglish Catch Up and Prepare for Senior Cycle
This course will revise key elements of the Junior Cycle that are necessary for Senior Cycle English and will serve as an introduction to Senior Cycle English.
Key areas will cover:
- Writing tasks, both creative and functional
- Comprehension, reading to understand and deliver
- Engaging with and enjoying poetry
- Revision of JC Shakespearean drama
- Introduction to SC Shakespearean drama
- Fiction-a closer look at the novel; characters, setting, plot, key moments.
- Introduction to the concept of Comparative Study
- Film Studies
Biology
This course is designed to help students in preparation for high success in their Leaving Certificate Higher Biology course.
The course will help bridge the gap for students between Junior Cycle Science and Leaving Certificate Biology.
It will introduce the students to the key elements of the LC Biology course and will include topics from all sections of the syllabus.
These topics will include:
- Ecology
- Genetics
- Human Biology
- Plant Biology
- Microbiology
The students will gain some practice with past papers and learn strategies and skills that are needed to maximise their marks in exams. Detailed notes and relevant practice questions will be provided.
Irish
This course will provide students with the skills needed to begin tackling the Leaving Certificate Irish course. A strong emphasis will be placed on grammar and language skills, with different grammar topics being covered each week to provide a strong basis of functional language that will enable students to be successful in all areas of the course.
Focus will be placed on oral language and vocabulary relevant to composition and comprehension questions. Students will engage with exam papers and marking schemes and discuss common exam mistakes to allow them to maximise their marks. Students will also begin to deal with literature and develop methodologies to deal with and prepare for all types of questions.
Topics from:
- General language skills, grammar and vocabulary
- Reading and listening comprehension: methodology, exam papers, key vocabulary and question phrases
- Literature: samples from the poetry and prose course and important vocab
- Composition: essays, speeches and debates
- Study methodology and exam technique
- Oral language and practice
Maths
This course is designed to encompass key elements of Junior Cycle Mathematics which are fundamental for success at Senior Cycle. There will be a strong emphasis on empowering students to gain the knowledge and skills that will benefit them directly for Leaving Certificate Mathematics.
Students will build on their proficiency in critical and creative thinking while focusing on developing computational thinking, and problem solving. Students will be encouraged to develop as learners within Mathematics by adopting a variety of approaches and strategies to increase self-confidence and personal effectiveness.
The course will revise aspects of the Junior Cycle while also focusing on key elements of Senior Cycle Mathematics.
Specific topics will include:
- Algebra
- Complex Numbers
- Trigonometry
- Co-Ordinate Geometry
Other topics from the syllabus with be visited.
Below are the timetables for each of our weekly grinds locations for the Academic Year 2025/26.
NOTE: All classes are 75 minutes in duration.
*Students may join at any stage throughout the year, subject to availability.
| Week | Week Commencing | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st Sept 2025 | First Week |
| 2 | 8th Sept 2025 | |
| 3 | 15th Sept 2025 | |
| 4 | 22nd Sept 2025 | |
| 5 | 29th Sept 2025 | |
| 6 | 6th Oct 2025 | |
| 7 | 13th Oct 2025 | |
| 8 | 20th Oct 2025 | |
| No Classes | 27th Oct 2025 | Mid-Term |
| 9 | 3rd Nov 2025 | |
| 10 | 10th Nov 2025 | |
| 11 | 17th Nov 2025 | |
| 12 | 24th Nov 2025 | |
| 13 | 1st Dec 2025 | |
| 14 | 8th Dec 2025 | |
| 15 | 15th Dec 2025 | |
| No Classes | 22nd Dec 2025 | Christmas |
| No Classes | 29th Dec 2025 | Christmas |
| 16 | 5th Jan 2026 | |
| 17 | 12th Jan 2026 | |
| 18 | 19th Jan 2026 | |
| 19 | 26th Jan 2026 | |
| 20 | 2nd Feb 2026 | *St. Brigid's Bank Holiday, Classes as normal this week, including Bank Holiday Monday 2nd February 2026. |
| 21 | 9th Feb 2026 | |
| No Classes | 16th Feb 2026 | February Mid Term |
| 22 | 23rd Feb 2026 | |
| 23 | 2nd March 2026 | |
| 24 | 9th March 2026 | |
| No Classes | 16th March 2026 | St Patrick's Week |
| 25 | 23rd March 2026 | |
| No Classes | 30th March 2026 | Easter Break |
| No Classes | 6th April 2026 | Easter Break |
| 26 | 13th April 2026 | |
| 27 | 20th April 2026 | |
| 28 | 27th April 2026 | |
| 29 | 4th May 2026 | **May Bank Holiday. No classes Mon 4th May - these will be taught on Monday 11th May instead. Classes as normal Tuesday 6th to Saturday 9th May. |
*Classes will be taught on Bank Holiday Monday 2nd February 2026.
**Classes will not be taught on Bank Holiday Monday 4th May 2026. These classes will be taught on Monday 11th May 2026.
Online Timetable
| Day | Time | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 17:30 | Maths (Higher) |
| Wednesday | 17:30 | English (Higher) |
| 19:00 | Biology (Higher) | |
| Thursday | 17:30 | Irish (Higher) |
Leeson Street Timetable
| Day | Time | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 10:30 | Maths (Higher) |
| 12:00 | English (Higher) |
| Number of Subjects | Pay in Full |
|---|---|
| 1 Subject | €1,020 |
| 2 Subjects | €1,520 |
| 3 Subjects | €2,020 |
| 4 Subjects | €2,520 |
| 5 Subjects | €3,020 |
| 6 Subjects | €3,520 |
| 7 Subjects | €4,020 |
| Each Subsequent Subject | €500 |
Onsite and online fees are the same.
All students joining our weekly classes 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 2026.
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.
Onsite Classes
Q: If I enrol in a class in Leeson Street, can I also avail of classes online
A: Yes, you can enrol in a combination of online and onsite classes. However, a student can only attend the classes they are enrolled in.
Q: Are my onsite classes recorded?
A: Yes, All classes, whether online or onsite, are recorded and available to students to watch back online for revision. All students will be sent login details for our student platform; Moodle, where they can watch back any of their classes.
Q: Are the class notes available online?
A: Yes. A soft copy is available on the Moodle Course page for each class booked. In addition, if you are attending a class onsite, class notes will be provided to you in the classroom. If you are attending an online class, class notes will be posted directly to you. Please ensure you include your Eircode when registering to ensure notes are posted to the correct location.
Q: If I am doing weekly grinds, can I change my choice of subject or class-time during the year?
A: Yes. We will allow class changes up to Easter, subject to available places. Please contact our office to arrange changes on 01 661 3511.
Q: How long is each weekly grinds class?
A: Each class lasts 75 minutes.
Q: How much is the fee per subject?
A: This depends on the number of subjects taken. Please refer to the fees table to see a list of fees.
Q: Can I cancel my classes and get a refund?
A: Yes. A refund (or partial refund) can be given. An Admin fee of €115 applies. A request for a refund can be made by contacting our office on 01 6613511 or help@instituteofeducation.ie
Q: How many weeks of tuition are there in the weekly grinds course?
A: There are 29 weeks (29 classes) of tuition between September and May. Students will have one class per subject booked per week.
Q: If I start weekly grinds later in the year, will this be reflected in the fees I pay?
A: Yes, fees are reduced throughout the year. The website will always show the most up-to-date pricing.
Q: Is attendance at weekly grinds and part-time courses monitored?
A: Yes, students are required to sign a roll sheet at each class they attend. The Institute however accepts no responsibility for students who fail to attend class.
Q: Are there any breaks or holidays during the year for students attending weekly grinds or part-time courses?
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: Can part-time students take up an extra subject or a subject that is not available to them in their own school?
A: Yes, with consideration being given to the suitability of the subject. It is advisable that a student only takes on a new subject at the start of the academic year and notify their teacher. Our 6th year program covers each subject in full. Please note that our classes cover the theory of the curriculum and do not carry out any practicals.
Q: What subjects would you recommend to take on as an extra subject?
A: The most popular subjects would be: Accounting, Agricultural Science, Applied Maths, Business, Classical Studies, Economics, and Politics and Society.
Q: Are the classes conducted ‘lecture style’ or are students free to ask questions?
A: Our classes are run in more lecture style than most students might be used to in school. However they are also interactive and our teachers use a variety of methods to ensure that students can ask questions and contribute to the class.
Q: For weekly grinds, 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 grinds during the year, can you tell me what remains to be covered on the course and what the student has missed?
A: Teachers have their own individual teaching plan for the year, and should be able to advise on this.
Q: My son/daughter cannot attended the course. Can we buy the notes?
A: No. Teaching is a central part of all our courses. The notes are to facilitate recall and revision of the day’s work covered by the teacher.
Online Weekly Grinds
Q: What subjects are available Online?
A: Please click here to view the timetable of subjects on offer online.
Q: If I enrol in an online class, can I also avail of onsite classes?
Q: How do I access my online grinds 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 grinds 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 grinds pre-recorded?
A: No, each online grinds 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 grinds 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 2026.
Q: Are there any specific requirements to attending online grinds?
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: Are the class notes available online?
A: Yes. A soft copy is available on the Moodle Course page for each class booked. In addition, if you are attending a class onsite, class notes will be provided to you in the classroom. If you are attending an online class, class notes will be posted directly to you. Please ensure you include your Eircode when registering to ensure notes are posted to the correct location.
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.
Weekly Grinds Locations
Our Weekly Grinds courses are available at our Leeson Street Campus, Dublin, and also as Online Classes. For more information please select a location below.
The Institute of Education
79 – 85 Lower Leeson Street
Dublin 2
D02 PX56
Can’t make it to our onsite locations?
Join our Online Weekly Grinds classes. Get the additional support you need with our fully interactive LIVE classes.
Please note:
Login details for online classes will be issued to students by email before the start of the course.
“The grinds make me feel more prepared. I understand the concepts of the subject better. As a whole, I’ve learned a lot more than what I was taught in school and studying by myself.”
Leaving Certificate 2024 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)
“I liked how interactive it was and how comprehensively all the material was covered. I thought the teacher was excellent.”
Ava, 5th Year Student
“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