Just under 17% of Leaving Certificate grades calculated by schools will be reduced, according to initial data from the Department of Education.

While this year's calculated grades process is not yet complete, the department said the trends show that the national standardisation has resulted in a low number of grades being reduced, in the vast majority of cases by just one grade.

In a move that will be welcomed by disadvantaged schools, the department has not relied on a school's previous performance in its national standardisation process. This decision was approved by Cabinet today.

Defending the process, the department said the number of grade 1s awarded at Higher Level by schools would have doubled in many subjects, and even tripled in some, compared to previous years if some reductions to grades had not been applied.

They said while some teacher estimates had been over-optimistic, others had underestimated, and this would have led to unfairness for many students had national standardisation not been applied.

They said such "uncontrolled" growth in scores was "not credible in one school year".

This year's results will still however be significantly higher than those of previous years, but by how much is not as yet known.

Almost 60,000 students are due to receive their Leaving Cert results next Monday.

The figures released today are for 57,695 students who had applied to sit the traditional the Leaving Certificate programme. They do not include the Leaving Certificate Applied.

A breakdown of each subject will be available on results day, the Minster said.

The student portal will be open from next Monday and Minister for Education Norma Foley said practical advice is available through gov.ie and she encouraged students to use the service.

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