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Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, has announced that 14 schools across Cork city and county will be among the first to introduce new Leaving Certificate subjects as part of the Senior Cycle redevelopment. Starting in the 2025/26 school year, these schools will offer courses in Drama, Film and Theatre Studies and Climate Action and Sustainable Development.
In total, 57 schools nationwide will offer Drama, Film and Theatre Studies, and 43 schools will offer Climate Action and Sustainable Development. The Cork schools selected to participate include:
For Drama, Film and Theatre Studies:
- Gaelcholáiste Mhuire, An Mhainistir Thuaidh
- Mount Mercy College, Model Farm Road
- Presentation Secondary School, Ballyphehane
- Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig
- Glanmire Community College
- Bishopstown Community School
- Skibbereen Community School
For Climate Action and Sustainable Development:
- St Mary’s High School, Midleton
- St Aloysius School, Sharman Crawford Street
- Cork Educate Together Secondary School
- St Colman’s Community College, Midleton
- Millstreet Community School
- Douglas Community School
- Kinsale Community School
These new subjects are part of an ambitious Senior Cycle reform programme, aiming to offer a more diverse and relevant curriculum to students. Minister Foley expressed her enthusiasm, stating:
Norma Foley, Minister for Education, said:
“It was fantastic to see a strong level of interest from schools in Cork and across the country in delivering these new Leaving Certificate subjects. These subjects provide greater choice for students, better reflecting their range of interests and talents. I am thrilled that 14 Cork schools will be leading the way from the 2025/26 school year.”
Teachers in the selected schools will begin preparations this academic year, working with Oide, the teacher support service, to ensure they are ready to teach these subjects.
Drama, Film and Theatre Studies will focus on creativity through immersive experiences, while Climate Action and Sustainable Development will empower students to address global sustainability challenges.
This announcement marks a key moment in Senior Cycle redevelopment, which aims to bring greater equity and excellence to Ireland’s secondary education system.