Dundalk’s De La Salle College moves early on Senior Cycle Reform

As Senior Cycle Reform reshapes how students across Ireland are taught and assessed, De La Salle College in Dundalk is among the first in the country to move early in preparing students for the digital requirements now embedded in the curriculum.

The Government’s reform programme marks a significant shift away from reliance on final written exams and toward continuous assessment, digital portfolios and project-based components that must be researched, completed and submitted online. By 2029, forty percent of students’ final marks in all subjects will be attributed to the additional assessment components completed in school.

In response, De La Salle College introduced a structured programme enabling each 5th Year student to use their own personal Windows laptop for learning, in partnership with Wriggle Learning, as part of the transition to the reformed Senior Cycle by preparing students for a new continuous assessment model.

The focus was not just on introducing devices, but on delivering a smooth and structured transition. Each laptop was fully configured for classroom use from day one, including security, management systems and access to required software and learning platforms, allowing teaching and learning to remain the priority.

Cian O’Náraigh, Acting Deputy Principal of De La Salle College, said: “The whole process of working with Wriggle has been very smooth. From planning and configuration through to deployment, the service and rollout were seamless. Our staff and students felt fully supported at every stage, which meant we could focus on teaching and learning rather than technical issues.”

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"Digital learning is now embedded across a wide range of subjects, supporting research, collaboration, project-based work and organisation. Students are developing the digital skills now required under the reformed Senior Cycle, ensuring they are not at a disadvantage as expectations evolve nationwide.

"The programme provides reassurance that students are adapting to the new curriculum within a supported and structured environment. Technology is improving access to learning materials, enabling collaboration and helping students build confidence in skills that will benefit them in further education and future careers.”

Sean Glynn, Chief Learning Officer at Wriggle Learning, said: “Senior Cycle Reform has fundamentally changed expectations around digital competence in schools. What makes the difference is how that change is implemented.

"At De La Salle College, the rollout was carefully managed and classroom ready from day one. That smooth transition allows teachers to focus on learning and ensures students are fully prepared for the new assessment model.”

Following the successful introduction of 1:1 devices in 5th Year in 2025, the school plans to continue the rollout across Senior Cycle in 2026 and beyond. 

As the reformed Senior Cycle continues to reshape classrooms across Ireland, it is hoped that De La Salle College’s early adoption ensures Dundalk students are prepared, supported and ready for a curriculum where digital learning is now a requirement.