Second home-schooled student brings action over calculated grades

A 17-year-old home-schooled student from outside Dublin has initiated judicial review proceedings against the Minister for Education over the refusal to award her calculated grades for her six Leaving Certificate subjects. The student, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was educated primarily by her parents and private tutors who are not registered teachers. The Department declined to provide calculated grades, citing insufficient credible evidence for assessment. The High Court granted permission for the judicial review on Monday before Mr Justice Charles Meenan. The judge adjourned the matter to later in September, noting the court's full September list prevented an earlier hearing. The case follows a previous successful challenge by Mayo student Elijah Burke, who was home-schooled by his qualified-teacher mother and secured the right to be assessed for calculated grades. The applicant's counsel acknowledged a material distinction, as her tutors lack formal teaching qualifications. The student seeks orders compelling the Minister to reconsider her application and quashing the August refusal.