CONFIRMED: Clare school selected for roll out of new Leaving Certificate subject

St. Anne’s Community College in Killaloe is the among the first schools which have been selected to offer the new Leaving Certificate subject of Drama, Film and Theatre Studies from the start of the 2025/26 academic year.

A total of 57 schools across the country have been chosen to offer the new subject while 43 will offer the new Leaving Certificate subject of Climate Action and Sustainable Development

The announcement, made by the Minister for Education Norma Foley, 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.

Commenting on the announcement, Minister Foley said: “It was fantastic to see a strong level of interest from schools of all types in County Clare and across the country in taking part in this first phase of delivering the new Leaving Certificate 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. I am pleased to announce that St. Anne’s Community College, Killaloe, will be among the first to offer Drama, Film and Theatre Studies from the start of the 2025/26 school year."

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"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," she added.

Teachers in the selected schools, including St. Anne’s Community College, 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 next school year.

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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.