Junior Cycle Home Economics: CBA Arrangements for 2026/27

Following a number of queries from members, the Association of Teachers of Home Economics (ATHE) contacted the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) to seek clarification on the Classroom-Based Assessment arrangements for Junior Cycle Home Economics for the 2026/27 school year.

The NCCA has confirmed the arrangements outlined below.

At a Glance

1. Students currently in Third Year

• CBA 1: Creative Textiles – Optional
• CBA 2: Food Literacy Skills Brief – Required

2. Students currently in Second Year

• CBA 1: Creative Textiles – Optional
• CBA 2: Food Literacy Skills Brief – Required when students are in Third Year

3. Students currently in First Year

• CBA 1: Creative Textiles – Required
• CBA 2: Food Literacy Skills Brief – Required

1. Students Currently in Third Year – 2026/27

Students currently in Third Year are required to complete a minimum of one Classroom-Based Assessment in Home Economics.

For this cohort:

• CBA 2: Food Literacy Skills Brief is required
• CBA 1: Creative Textiles is optional

CBA 2 must be completed because it is linked to the Practical Food Skills Examination.

Schools had the option of also completing CBA 1: Creative Textiles with this cohort, but CBA 1 was not a compulsory requirement.

2. Students Currently in Second Year – 2026/27

Students currently in Second Year are not required to complete CBA 1: Creative Textiles during the 2026/27 school year.

For this cohort:

• CBA 1: Creative Textiles is optional
• Schools may choose to complete CBA 1, but it is not compulsory
• CBA 2: Food Literacy Skills Brief will be required when these students are in Third Year

When these students enter Third Year in 2027/28, they will be required to complete CBA 2 because it is the Home Economics CBA linked to the final Practical Food Skills Examination.

3. Students Currently in First Year – 2026/27

The reduced CBA arrangements do not apply to students who entered First Year in the 2026/27 school year.

These students will therefore be required to complete both Home Economics CBAs during their Junior Cycle programme:

• CBA 1: Creative Textiles
• CBA 2: Food Literacy Skills Brief

Schools should therefore plan for the completion of both CBAs as this cohort progresses through Junior Cycle Home Economics.

4. Important Reminder: Textiles and Craft

The NCCA has also highlighted an important point regarding CBA 1: Creative Textiles.

Although CBA 1 is optional for some current cohorts, schools should continue to ensure that students engage with the learning outcomes in Strand 3: Textiles and Craft.

The CBA is designed to support learning within this strand, and the relevant Textiles and Craft learning outcomes remain part of the Junior Cycle Home Economics programme.

5. Coursework and Practical Work Adjustments

Teachers should also note that the reduced CBA arrangements and the separate coursework and practical work adjustments are two different matters.

The adjustments to coursework and practical work requirements that have been in place since 2021:

• will remain in place for students sitting the Junior Cycle examinations in 2027, who are currently in Third Year
• will no longer apply to students sitting the Junior Cycle examinations in 2028, who are currently in Second Year

This additional clarification was provided by the NCCA directly to ATHE.

Summary

Current Third Years

• CBA 1: Creative Textiles – Optional
• CBA 2: Food Literacy Skills Brief – Required

Current Second Years

• CBA 1: Creative Textiles – Optional
• CBA 2: Food Literacy Skills Brief – Required in Third Year

Current First Years

• CBA 1: Creative Textiles – Required
• CBA 2: Food Literacy Skills Brief – Required

Official Information and Further Guidance

Teachers are encouraged to consult the following official documents for further information.

1. NCCA – Revised Arrangements for the Completion of Classroom-Based Assessments 2026/27

This document outlines the revised arrangements and key dates for Classroom-Based Assessments during the 2026/27 school year.

NCCA – Revised CBA Arrangements 2026/27

2. Department of Education and Youth – Circular 0062/2026

Arrangements for the implementation of the Framework for Junior Cycle with particular reference to the school year 2026/2027.

Department of Education and Youth – Circular 0062/2026

3. Junior Cycle Home Economics – Curriculum Online

Further information on the Junior Cycle Home Economics specification, learning outcomes and assessment arrangements is available on Curriculum Online.

Junior Cycle Home Economics – Curriculum Online

ATHE would like to thank the NCCA for providing clarification on these arrangements following our request on behalf of members.