Supporting Your Child Through Leaving Certificate Results
With Leaving Certificate results day coming up on Friday, 22nd August, many students are feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. This is a big moment that can shape their future education and career paths. Here’s a guide on how to understand the results and offer the best support to your child during this time.
Before Results Day
Preparation:
Talk about what to expect on results day. Understanding the process and how results will be accessed can ease some anxiety.
Offer Emotional Support:
Be a calming presence. Results day can stir up a whirlwind of emotions, from joy to disappointment. Create a safe space for your child to share their feelings and reassure them that their worth isn’t tied to these results. There are many ways to succeed!
Encourage Open Communication: Effective, non-confrontational communication is key.
- Choose the Right Time and Place: Find a relaxed setting for discussions, like a casual walk or during a shared activity. Focus on enjoying time together, having fun, and laughing. This can naturally open up space for your child to share any worries or concerns.
- Just Listen: When they do start talking, let them express themselves without interruption, advice, or comments. Sometimes, they just need to be heard without feeling judged or pressured.
- Practice Reflective Listening: Show that you’re truly listening by summarising what they’re saying. For instance, you might say, “It sounds like the results are on your mind.”
- Show Empathy and Validation: Acknowledge their feelings with statements like, “I get why you might feel this way.” This lets them know they’re understood and supported.
Supporting Your Child On Results Day
Accessing Results:
Results of Leaving Certificate 2025 will be issued directly to students through the Student Portal (examinations.ie) on Friday 22nd August 2025.
How Points Are Calculated:
CAO points are calculated from the grades in your child’s top six subjects, with each grade earning a specific number of points. If your child scores a H6 or better in Higher Level Mathematics, they will get an extra 25 bonus points. The total points from these six subjects are then used for college admissions. You can use the online Careers Portal Points Calculator Tool to calculate these points.
Be Present:
Be there for your child as they check their results. Whether they’re feeling excited or nervous, your support matters. Let them decide how and where they want to access their results—on their own, with friends, or with you. Make it clear that you are available and ready to support them in any way they need, but respect their choice for privacy or company.
Celebrate Achievements:
If they achieve their goals, celebrate together, share in the joy of their accomplishments and express your pride openly.
Handle Disappointments:
If the results aren’t what they hoped for, acknowledge your own feelings privately but focus on supporting your child.
- Reframe the Situation: Help your child see setbacks as growth opportunities. Explore other paths together, like PLC courses, apprenticeships, or different educational programmes.
Supporting Your Child After Results Day
Explore Options:
If the results don’t meet their expectations, explore alternative pathways with your child:
- PLC Courses: Provide practical training and can lead to further education or employment.
- Apprenticeships: Offer hands-on experience in specific trades or professions, often leading to direct employment.
- Other Educational Programmes: Research various programmes that align with their interests and strengths.
Seek Support if needed:
If your child is unsure about their next steps, talk to us, we are here to support your son.
Maintaining Perspective
Finally, remind your child that this is just one step in a lifelong journey. Many successful individuals have faced setbacks and used them as opportunities to grow. Role model a positive mindset and resilience by:
- Sharing Personal Stories: Talk about your own challenges and how you managed them.
- Demonstrating Problem-Solving: Approach problems with a solutions-focused mindset. Look into possible future options and discuss steps to explore them.
- Encouraging a Growth Mindset: Frame challenges as opportunities for growth. Use phrases like, “What can we learn from this?” to help view setbacks as chances to improve.
As results day approaches, it’s important for parents to recognise and appreciate your own incredible efforts. Your unwavering support, patience, and encouragement have been crucial throughout this journey. Regardless of the results, your belief in your child's abilities and your positive influence make a significant difference. Take a moment to appreciate yourselves for all you've done—you’ve been a vital source of strength and guidance, and your support is invaluable.
Reference Sources: Leaving Cert Results | Leaving Cert Results - Next Steps - CareersPortal
Careersportal, CAO, Dept. Education