Reaction to Leaving Certificate 2026 English Paper 1 (Higher Level) by Clodagh Havel, English teacher at The Institute of Education.
- An emphasis on discursive writing in Section 1 won’t suit everyone.
- Viable choices for everyone, but not everyone’s preferences.
- Section 2 will have allowed students to really take their pen for a walk.
This was a real English paper. It prioritised independent thought, analysis and a sense of structure. Sometimes you needed to find the question that was best suited to you as not every opportunity would have jumped out at first glance. While not as immediate as some previous papers once students orientated themselves, they could really let fly. The overall theme of “Influence” asked students to not only look back but set their sights on the future, that place where young people’s thoughts are drawn to. There was a visionary sentiment that permeated the tasks and really allowed students food for thought and the space to grapple with material being covered in the classroom.
All the texts were contemporary, drawn from works published in 2024 and 2025 and so the paper really captured a sense of the current moment. The topics were nice and meaty, particularly for those with a passion for the arts. We had discussion of place, historical fiction and the role of the arts in shaping interpretation. The ideas were both reflective and inspiring as Art, Music and History combined in a lovely range of questions. Those who preferred the ordered STEM approach might find some of the texts disappointing, but for those who really relish the heart and soul of the subject might even have enjoyed them. But regardless of one’s preferences, no one was locked out of this paper. The language was accessible and some of the connections were wonderful, such as the timely discussion of A.I. in parallel to the industrial revolution.
All the Part Bs were equally approachable, again letting students make their choice based on the topics they best connect with rather than the particular rigours of genre. However, the range of genre choices this year were notably narrower. This is the first time since 2021 that no personal writing prompts appeared. Indeed much of Section 1 tended towards a discursive mentality. Every student should be familiar with the styles and be able to navigate this section well but some who really shine with expressive writing might have found the article, letter and proposal very similar in sentiment. Yet the topics were wonderful and gave every student a chance to really explore novel ideas. The first option asks them to envisage their ideal town but also interrogate the challenges posed to such an aspiration. The second asked them to consider the value of a postage stamp in cultural and human terms rather than simple currency. Lastly the proposal for Culture Night 2027 asked them to consider how best to celebrate culture in their community, allowing them to assess for themselves what that means to them. One first look some will have found the choices limiting but once they really got into the meat of the topics, they could really make each option their own.
While the paper may have started with a narrow path, in Section 2 it opened into a wonderful vista of options. Those who prepared for the short story will have seen Question 1 and simply taken their pen for a walk. The “character at odds with the community” trope is at once so open, approachable and for many relatable that despite never seeing this question before, it will feel familiar. For those who love art and music and relish that creative pulse in their lives Questions 3 and 4 let them channel that into the genre that best suits them. The debate topic on social media influencers is so topical and part of their lives that many will have the key talking points brimming on the tip of their pen. The only awkward option of the seven was Q6 which asked students to take a minor character from a historical novel and spin her out into a central character of their text. This imposed character and setting on students and those who aren’t as versed in history might have found the necessary period setting off putting. Yet the final personal essay prompt on “a moment that was enriching for you” will ensure that everyone, no matter their academic background or preferences will be able to dig deep and express what really influenced them.