Dear Parents/Guardians,
We wish to inform you of important changes announced by the Department of Education regarding Junior Cycle grading, which will affect students sitting examinations in June 2025.
What’s Changing
The Department of Education has modified the grade bands for Junior Cycle results, specifically making adjustments to the top grade categories see handout enclosed.
What This Means For Your Child
This adjustment makes the two highest grade bands more accessible:
•Students scoring between 85-89% will now receive a Distinction rather than a Higher Merit
•Students scoring between 70-74% will now receive a Higher Merit rather than a Merit
These changes will apply to all Junior Cycle subjects for the examinations taking place in June 2025, affecting more than 73,000 students nationwide.
Why This Matters
This adjustment aims to better recognize student achievement and provide more balanced grade distribution at Junior Cycle level. The changes reflect the Department’s ongoing commitment to supporting student success and creating fair assessment frameworks.
If you have any questions about how these changes might affect your child’s preparation or results, please don’t hesitate to contact the school.
Yours sincerely,
Ms.Gray
