Five Co Kildare schools selected to introduce new Leaving Cert subjects
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Five schools in Co Kildare are the among the selected phase one schools which will be the first to offer the new Leaving Certificate subjects of Drama, Film and Theatre Studies and Climate Action and Sustainable Development.
Among the schools participating in phase one, 57 post-primary schools have been selected to introduce Leaving Certificate Drama, Film and Theatre Studies from the start of the 2025/26 school year. These include Patrician Secondary School in Newbridge and Cross and Passion College in Kilcullen.
In addition, 43 schools have been selected for Leaving Certificate Climate Action and Sustainable Development. These include Maynooth Post Primary School, Piper’s Hill College, Naas and Naas Community College.
The announcement marks an important moment in the Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme and the Minister’s vision for a Senior Cycle that provides young people with an opportunity to study a range of subjects that align with their talents and passions.
Minister for Education Norma Foley said it was “fantastic” to see a strong level of interest from schools of all types in Kildare and across the country in taking part in this first phase of delivering the new Leaving Cert subjects of Drama, Film and Theatre Studies and Climate Action and Sustainable Development.
“These subjects are being introduced to provide greater choice for students to better reflect their range of interests and support the development of a wider range of talents and skills,” she said.
“The applications received demonstrated the extraordinary talent, qualifications, experience, and commitment by teachers in schools across Ireland interested in introducing these two new subjects to their students. The level and variety of current subject provision in the selected schools and the enthusiasm shown by their school leaders, teachers, students and school communities was nothing short of exemplary and I have every confidence that the rollout of both subjects will be a success.” Teachers in the selected Kildare schools will begin working with Oide, the teacher support service, this school year, a year in advance of teaching the subject. All selected phase one schools will be provided with the necessary resources to establish new subject departments in their schools and to support the teaching and learning of the subject from the start of the 2025/26 school year.
Drama, Film and Theatre Studies will promote and encourage creativity as a basis for learning through immersive experiences. Students will have the opportunity to cultivate informed thinking through learning supported by creative and critical processes.
Climate Action and Sustainable Development will develop students’ capacity for informed and meaningful action for a just and sustainable world as they engage with key sustainability challenges including the climate crisis. Students will be empowered to build their understanding of a number of interconnected core concepts and principles related to climate action and sustainable development.
