Press release
Minister Foley invites schools to apply to join the rollout of the new Leaving Certificate subjects on drama and climate action
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, today invites schools to apply to be in the first phase to offer the two new Senior Cycle subjects: Drama, Film and Theatre Studies; and Climate Action and Sustainable Development.
The call for applications is part of Minister Foley’s plan to redevelop Senior Cycle education in Ireland, which includes the revision of all existing subject specifications.
Drama, Film and Theatre Studies; and Climate Action and Sustainable Development will be introduced in schools on a phased basis from the start of the 2025/26 school year.
Announcing the call for applications, Minister Foley said:
“We have seen the fantastic success of the Irish film industry at the Oscars, with Cillian Murphy winning an Oscar for Best Actor and Element Pictures from Dublin celebrating four Oscars for their film Poor Things. These achievements add to the rich tapestry of success in Irish film, performance, theatre and drama.
“Today, I am thrilled to invite applications from schools to take part in the rollout of our exciting new Leaving Certificate subject of Drama, Film and Theatre studies.
“In Ireland, we are renowned worldwide for our contributions to the arts and I hope this subject will help students to thrive in the arts even more. And who knows, some of the new graduates may have memorable nights at the Oscars in years to come.”
Minister Foley said the introduction of Climate Action and Sustainable Development, is also a very important step in the redevelopment of Senior Cycle.
“We have all seen in recent years how school students have engaged with and led actions to address climate change. As always, it is our responsibility to nurture and encourage our students to continue to contribute to solutions designed to protect our world.
“I encourage schools to consider submitting an application to be considered as one of the first phase of schools offering these modern new subjects to their students from the start of the 2025/26 school year.”
Minister Foley is providing a package of supports for schools who take part in the first phase of these new subjects. All Phase One schools will be provided with appropriate technical resources required to establish the new subject department in their school and additional teacher allocations.
The new subject of Drama, Film and Theatre Studies aims to promote creativity and encourage creative risk-taking 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.
The draft specifications require students to attend one live, public theatre performance and one live cinema performance. The Department will provide Phase One schools with an annual grant per student for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 school years to support student attendance at performances, and costs associated with the appropriate film streaming service.
Climate Action and Sustainable Development aims to 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.
The draft specifications provide the opportunity for place-based visits and outdoor learning for students e.g.at local ecosystem projects, campaigning on sustainability matters and community outreach. The Department will provide Phase One schools with an annual grant, taking account of the number of students, for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 school years.
Each of these subjects will incorporate additional assessment components that are not a traditional written examination, which will be worth a minimum of 40% of the available marks and will be externally assessed by the State Examinations Commission (SEC).
Post-primary schools are invited to consider the information provided on Phase One Call for Applications 2024 and submit an application to be in the first phase of schools introducing the new subjects from the start of the 2025/26 school year.
Applications will close on 19 April 2024.
In 2022, the Minister set out an ambitious programme for the redevelopment of Senior Cycle, guided by the vision of a Senior Cycle that delivers “equity and excellence for all.”
The programme is informed by, and builds upon, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment’s (NCCA) Advisory Report on the review of Senior Cycle, as well as the experience of Leaving Certificate students, a growing demand for change and international experience and perspectives.
The Minister for Education announced an acceleration of the programme on 20 September 2023, including that revised specifications for seven existing Leaving Certificate established subjects (Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Arabic, Latin, Ancient Greek, and Business) will be introduced in schools from the 2025/26 school year.
Part of these transformative developments include the introduction of the two new Senior Cycle subjects of Drama, Film and Theatre Studies, and Climate Action and Sustainable Development.
Each of these new and revised subject specifications will incorporate additional assessment components that are not a traditional written examination, which will be worth a minimum of 40% of the available marks and will be externally assessed by the State Examinations Commission (SEC).
The two new subjects will be introduced in schools on a phased basis from the start of the 2025/26 school year. The phasing builds on the previous experience of introducing other new Leaving Certificate subjects, such as Computer Science and Physical Education.
Consultation on both of the draft specifications open for public consultation until Friday 5 April 2024 on the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment website: