ACCS/Info Bulletin 10/25

The Secretary,
Board of Management and
School Principal in each Community and Comprehensive School.

Members of the Executive of ACCS. 

 ACCS/Info Bulletin 10/25. 

 Re: 1. Schoolbooks Scheme. 2. Junior Cycle Update. 3. School Calendars.

 1. Schoolbooks Scheme

The Department, in conjunction with the Education Procurement Service (EPS) and the Schools Procurement Unit (SPU) has developed a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) to assist Voluntary Secondary and Community and Comprehensive Schools meet their public procurement obligations from 2025. 

Many schools have now completed the first stages of the process and have received tenders that now need to be evaluated.

Following the launch of the Schoolbooks Scheme for Post-primary Schools on February 5th this year, the Department has again engaged with key procurement partners, including the SPU to develop additional guidance and supports for schools to aid with the evaluation phase of the process and these can be found at www.spu.ie

To further assist schools, you are invited to attend a webinar.

The webinar is live and will be held on the following dates:

  1. Monday 19th May at 4.10pm - Link to Webinar

  2. Tuesday 20th May @ 2.00pm - Link to Webinar

  3. Wednesday 21st May at 11.30am - Link to Webinar

Your school is only required to attend one webinar as the three will have identical content. It is expected that the webinar will last approximately 30 minutes.

Following the webinars, the FAQ document on SPU’s website will be updated. See: https://www.spu.ie/schoolbooks-scheme/

If you require support or assistance as you navigate through the post-primary schoolbooks procurement process you may call a dedicated helpline on 01 8892089 or email postprimaryschoolbooks@education.gov.ie

 2. Junior Cycle Update

Information Note TC 0004/2025 has been issued and the key points contained in the note which has been attached are:

  • A revised specification has been issued for Junior Cycle Modern Foreign Languages. This revised specification is to be implemented for students beginning their first year of Junior Cycle in September 2026.

  • New specifications for short courses in Coding and Digital Media Literacy are available to schools to provide to students beginning their first year of Junior Cycle in September 2026.

  • Minister McEntee has recently announced that changes have been made to the Junior Cycle grade bands. These changes will apply to students sitting examinations from this summer (2025) onwards.

  • As a result of assessment adjustments announced in April 2024, students in the cohort 2023- 2026 will be required to complete a minimum of one Classroom-Based Assessment (CBA) and will not be required to complete assessment tasks (AT) in the relevant subjects.

  • The Department has decided on an interim basis, to continue to allocate the Management Resource Hours, under the same allocation model, for the school year 2025/26.

 

3. School Calendars

In light of the current work ongoing around Senior Cycle development, schools are advised to be flexible in finalising their school calendar for next year and to consider publishing the calendar closer to the start of the new school year. 

Is mise, 

le mór mheas, 

Áine O’Sullivan,
GENERAL SECRETARY.

Info Bulletin, Info Bulletins, ACCS NewsDavid Cahill