Ardee Community School Among First to Offer New Drama, Film and Theatre Studies Leaving Cert Subject
Ardee News and Sport — In a significant development for local education, Ardee Community School has been selected as one of the pioneering institutions to offer the new Leaving Certificate subject in Drama, Film and Theatre Studies. This initiative is part of a broader rollout that includes several other local schools and aims to enrich the curriculum for Senior Cycle students.
The new subject will be introduced in the 2025/26 school year and is among the first offerings in the revamped Senior Cycle Redevelopment Programme. The announcement was made by Minister for Education Norma Foley TD, who praised the enthusiasm and commitment shown by the selected schools.
In addition to Ardee Community School, other local institutions participating in this exciting new phase include St. Joseph’s C.B.S. Drogheda, Franciscan College Gormanston, De La Salle College Dundalk, and Ó Fiaich College Dundalk. These schools have been chosen for their readiness to integrate this innovative subject into their curriculum, offering students the chance to explore their talents and passions in drama, film, and theatre.
Minister Foley expressed her excitement about the new subjects, stating, “It was fantastic to see a strong level of interest from schools of all types in Louth and across the country. These new subjects are designed to provide greater choice for students and support the development of a wider range of talents and skills. I am pleased that four Louth schools will be among the first to offer Drama, Film, and Theatre Studies.”
In addition to Drama, Film, and Theatre Studies, 43 schools nationwide have been selected to offer the new subject of Climate Action and Sustainable Development. This subject aims to empower students to engage with sustainability challenges and develop actionable solutions for a more sustainable world.
Teachers at the selected schools will begin working with Oide, the teacher support service, this school year to prepare for the new curriculum. The schools will receive resources to establish new subject departments and support the teaching and learning of these subjects from the outset of the 2025/26 academic year.
Drama, Film, and Theatre Studies will provide students with immersive experiences to foster creativity and critical thinking, while Climate Action and Sustainable Development will focus on equipping students with the knowledge and skills to tackle pressing environmental issues.
This rollout represents a milestone in enhancing educational offerings and aligns with the Minister’s vision for a more diverse and engaging Senior Cycle curriculum.