GLP Progress Report Dec 2023 to Dec 2024
Argyll and Bute Council · 28 August 2025
Back to Community Services Committee — 28 August 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Argyll & Bute Gaelic Language Plan Progress Report – 16 December 2023 to 16 December 2024 APPENDIX 1 Bute • Helensburgh • Islay • Tarbet • Oban • Mull • Campbeltown • Iona • Dunoon • Tiree • Lochgilphead • Seil … 1 Promoting a positive image of Gaelic We will: Target Success Measure Timescale Lead Update 16 Dec 2023 to 16 Dec 2024 1.2 Promote opportunities for Gaelic staff to work collaboratively across the Council to ensure a shared standard of achievement All Gaelic Medium teachers will take part in moderation activity across each session. Teacher judgements are more robust and confidence is improved. By 2026 Head of Education – Teaching and Learning Yearly moderation activities (November in- service) are arranged across cluster schools and across GME settings to allow for teachers to work collaboratively around high quality assessments and share standards. 1.3 Ensure Council vacancies which are Gaelic essential or desirable will be advertised bilingually 100% of Gaelic teacher vacancies are advertised in Gaelic 100% of Gaelic teacher vacancies Throughout the Life of the Plan Head of Education – Teaching and Learning Recruiting managers and Head Teachers Gaelic teaching posts are advertised bi- lingually with support from lead recruitment officer (HT). 1.4 Host a successful Royal National Mòd Mòd an Òbain 2024 1 event In 2024 Head of Development and Economic Growth The 2024 RNM in Oban was reported to be one of the most successful and feedback from the event has confirmed this. An Comunn’s Impact Report demonstrated that attendance was high, economic impact strong (circa £3.6m) and that
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Argyll & Bute Gaelic Language Plan Progress Report – 16 December 2023 to 16 December 2024 APPENDIX 1 Bute • Helensburgh • Islay • Tarbet • Oban • Mull • Campbeltown • Iona • Dunoon • Tiree • Lochgilphead • Seil … majority of those surveyed were likely to return to Oban for a future leisure visit (86%) and 78% believe more strongly in the importance of Gaelic. Gaelic Development Worker supported the council stall across 3 days of the MOD and attended activities for young people at Sratagan youth group. 1.5 Encourage and support the use of Gaelic within CHARTS work CHARTS is a member of the Council Gaelic Policy Lead Group Joint working on at least 1 programme/event By 2026 Head of Development and Economic Growth CHARTS Gaelic Culture Officer now chairs the Argyll and Bute Gaelic Culture Partnership with the support of the Gaelic Development Worker 1.6 Work with others to actively promote participation in the Royal National Mòd Joint promotional materials and activities prepared and circulated Numbers participating are positive To coincide with Mòd Head of Development and Economic Growth Partners jointly promoted participants in the 2024 RNM in Oban working through the Joint Laision Group which met monthly over the period of a year in the lead up to the 2024 RNM in Oban. In addition, local promotion and participation was facilitated through
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Argyll & Bute Gaelic Language Plan Progress Report – 16 December 2023 to 16 December 2024 APPENDIX 1 Bute • Helensburgh • Islay • Tarbet • Oban • Mull • Campbeltown • Iona • Dunoon • Tiree • Lochgilphead • Seil … further funding and delivered in a partnership with An Comunn and Education. Gaelic Development worker shared promotional materials and activities via the Gaelic bulletin. 1.7 Work with others to promote attendance at the Royal National Mod in Argyll Joint promotional materials and activities prepared and circulated Attendance numbers are positive To coincide with Mòd Head of Development and Economic Growth Attendance (including competitors) was high with almost 9,000 people. Partners jointly promoted attendance at the 2024 RNM in Oban working through the Joint Laision Group which met monthly over the period of a year in the lead up to the 2024 RNM in Oban. 1.8 Secure a higher profile and visibility for Gaelic and bilingualism in commercial, retail, food and drink and in tourism sectors Guidance prepared and promoted Establish Gaelic as a norm in the consideration of promoting a business sector or economic initiative Ongoing Head of Development and Economic Growth Gaelic materials were increased through the Gaelic for Business promotion and lessons delivered in the run up to the 2024 RNM in Oban. 1.9 Include the Gaelic language in the promotion of Argyll and Bute as a tourism destination Guidance developed and promoted Tourism promotion materials using Gaelic are increased Completed Head of Development and Economic Growth / Argyll and Islands Tourism Cooperative AITC have delivered this as part of their role.
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Argyll & Bute Gaelic Language Plan Progress Report – 16 December 2023 to 16 December 2024 APPENDIX 1 Bute • Helensburgh • Islay • Tarbet • Oban • Mull • Campbeltown • Iona • Dunoon • Tiree • Lochgilphead • Seil … 1.10 Maximise the economic impact of Gaelic at events/festivals held in Argyll and Bute Minimum 2 events per annum i.e. Bowfest, Oban Live, Islay Whisky festival, Tiree Music festival The economic benefits of the Gaelic culture and bilingualism will enjoy a higher profile Ongoing Head of Development and Economic Growth Of the 12 applications funded through Strategic Events and Festivals, 8 supported gaelic culture and language. 1.11 Assist in the development of the economic impact of the Royal National Mod Delivery of 1 economic impact study in association with the Mòd Study complete Spring 2025 Head of Development and Economic Growth Economic impact of the RNM was £3,618,308. 1.12 Promote Argyll and Bute as a place to undertake Film and TV work that involves Gaelic language and culture Create a Gaelic section on our dedicated film and tv website Gaelic section created In place and ongoing Head of Development and Economic Growth The Film in Argyll Website continues to promote Gaelic language and culture. 1.13 Consider support for Royal National Mod in Argyll in the future Carry out a review of events funding in 2018/19 and consider Mod support as an aspect of this Review complete Completed Head of Development and Economic Growth Completed and RNM in 2024 was awarded £145K of funding, the majority of this to An Comunn. 1.14 Investigate the development of a bilingual Council logo Investigate design options Logo options considered by Members By 2025 Head of Customer Support Services On track
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Argyll & Bute Gaelic Language Plan Progress Report – 16 December 2023 to 16 December 2024 APPENDIX 1 Bute • Helensburgh • Islay • Tarbet • Oban • Mull • Campbeltown • Iona • Dunoon • Tiree • Lochgilphead • Seil … 1.15 Work in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise as in the development of Ar Stòras Gàidhlig Partnership working embedded Partner meetings take place Throughout the life of the plan Head of Development and Economic Growth This takes place through the joint working on the Argyll Gaelic Partnership We will continue to: 1.16 Involve Bòrd na Gàidhlig in Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership Community Planning Manager Ongoing. Chair of Bòrd na Gàidhlig is CPP Management Committee member. 1.17 Increase Gaelic content on ‘The Hub’ and website Customer Service Centre Gaelic bulletin issues regularly by Gaelic Development Worker 1.18 Promote good news stories in and relating to Gaelic Customer Support Services News in Gaelic is promoted regularly on our social media channels and specifically in our Gaelic Forum fb group, which continues to grow in membership (859 members) 1.19 Ensure mail and email received in Gaelic will be responded to in Gaelic All Services Gaelic Development Worker monitors and responds to the Gaelic inbox. 1.20 Ensure complaints received in Gaelic are responded to in Gaelic within timescale and GP12 from the 201318 plan – Gaelic on plasma screens All Services All complaints received in Gaelic are responded to in Gaelic. The numbers remain extremely low.
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Argyll & Bute Gaelic Language Plan Progress Report – 16 December 2023 to 16 December 2024 APPENDIX 1 Bute • Helensburgh • Islay • Tarbet • Oban • Mull • Campbeltown • Iona • Dunoon • Tiree • Lochgilphead • Seil … 1.21 Ensure the bilingual welcome for Council Reception staff is standard Customer Support Services All customers phoning our Customer Service Centre hear a welcome message in Gaelic. 1.22 Open Committee meetings with a Gaelic greeting Legal and Regulatory Services Gaelic Development Worker delivered a 6 week Gaelic for beginners session for all staff that covered Gaelic introductions. 1.23 Include Gaelic media organisations in the distribution of all council press releases Customer Support Services Complete 1.24 Increase the general community’s knowledge and understanding of the benefits and aims of Gaelic/the Gaelic Plan in Argyll and Bute through the Gaelic Forum Facebook Page, other social media and Gaelic Medium units Customer Support Services/Education Continued promotion of Gaelic on various social media channels. 2 Increasing the Learning of Gaelic We will: Target Success Measure Timescale Lead Update 16 Dec 2023 to 16 Dec 2024 2.3 Deliver regular Gaelic Bookbug sessions in all areas with Gaelic Medium Education (GME) Weekly online Bookbug sessions delivered to areas providing GME Regular attendance at online sessions. ELCs joining weekly. Ongoing for life of the plan Head of Education – teaching and Learning Gaelic Book Bug sessions delivered by D MacNeil regularly both in person at Furan and to GME establishments on-line. 2.4 Ensure appropriate transition from Early Learning and Childcare to primary and from Every GM provision within the Education Authority will plan and implement a 2x projects per provision: All schools with GM have a specific Gaelic By 2026 Head of Education – Teaching and Learning All Gaelic ELC centres are involved in an annual transition project with a Gaelic focus. Most primary and secondary schools
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Argyll & Bute Gaelic Language Plan Progress Report – 16 December 2023 to 16 December 2024 APPENDIX 1 Bute • Helensburgh • Islay • Tarbet • Oban • Mull • Campbeltown • Iona • Dunoon • Tiree • Lochgilphead • Seil … primary to secondary within Gaelic Medium (GM) provision transition project specifically designed for GM pupils with specific focus on communication element/focus at points of transition. liaise to provide a Gaelic transition project each year if P7 pupils are moving to S1. 2.5 For those schools who have not chosen Gaelic as Language 2, encourage uptake at Language 3 Up to 90% of all primary schools in the council area will offer Gaelic at L2 or L3. 24/25- 2,293 25/26- By 2026 Head of Education – Teaching and Learning There has been a significant increase in Gaelic learners in Argyll & Bute schools this session. 2023/24- 2,121 2024/25- 2,293. Teachers have been encouraged and supported to deliver Gaelic as L2/L3 through ‘Live Lessons’ (Online team teaching). The uptake for this initiative for 2024/25 is 31 teachers across 22 schools in A & B. Impact statement for children: Over 90% of teachers from responses from all surveys over the session reported that pupils’ confidence had improved, especially with pronunciation and they had made steady progress in Gaelic. Impact statement for teachers: Over 90% of teachers from responses
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Argyll & Bute Gaelic Language Plan Progress Report – 16 December 2023 to 16 December 2024 APPENDIX 1 Bute • Helensburgh • Islay • Tarbet • Oban • Mull • Campbeltown • Iona • Dunoon • Tiree • Lochgilphead • Seil … from all surveys over the session reported that their own confidence had improved, especially with pronunciation and they felt more confident to deliver language learning independently. This percentage also reported that their professional learning needs were met by this model. 24/25- Feisgoil supported 3 schools with the delivery of Gaelic as L2/L 2.6 Promote Gaelic Medium Education, including how it is funded, registration etc to people who are not involved in Gaelic Explore development of promotional materials, particularly online and social media, information included on Council website Materials created and circulated By 2026 Head of Education Most primary schools with GME provision host a parental information session annually. 2.7 Increase the number of families, with young people in GME, accessing out of school activities for learning and using Gaelic - through partnership Target: All GMPE provision throughout the Education Authority will have an extra- curricular club delivered through the medium of Events throughout whole authority: 24/25 - 4 25/26 - 6 August 2026 Head of Education – Teaching and Learning The Parant ‘s Paiste group meet weekly in Oban with @ 16 families attending regularly. The group has encouraged new families to come along which is having a positive impact on GM P1 numbers in Oban.
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Argyll & Bute Gaelic Language Plan Progress Report – 16 December 2023 to 16 December 2024 APPENDIX 1 Bute • Helensburgh • Islay • Tarbet • Oban • Mull • Campbeltown • Iona • Dunoon • Tiree • Lochgilphead • Seil … working and support from funding bodies Gaelic by August 2026 2.8 Provide distance learning opportunities for existing school staff in order to build a future workforce to meet the needs of the Gaelic sector 2023 – 2026 18/19 – 12 people 19/20 – 10 people 20/21 – 8 people 21/22 – 6 people 22/23 – 6 people GLPS, 4 people Nat5/Higher 23/24 – 9 people (including Mini GLPS), 4 people Nat5/Higher By 2026 Head of Education – Teaching and Learning 24/25- GLPS Course- 2 teachers 24/25- Nat 5/Higher- 5 teachers. 24/25- Live lessons-31 teachers The ‘Live Lessons’ initiative mentioned above not only supports the delivery of L2/L3 Gaelic it is also designed as a professional learning opportunity for teachers as they are fully involved in the delivery of the lesson and learning the language with their pupils. 2.9 Provide access to partnership specialist school support staff Target: Students taught through the medium of Gaelic who appear to experience barriers to their learning will receive a staged intervention programme All children’s needs who are educated through Gaelic are met within this medium. By August 2026 Head of Education – Teaching and Learning All schools follow the staged intervention process and ensure appropriate interventions and support to meet needs. Where possible within GME Gaelic speaking support staff are employed so this can be done through the medium of Gaelic.
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Argyll & Bute Gaelic Language Plan Progress Report – 16 December 2023 to 16 December 2024 APPENDIX 1 Bute • Helensburgh • Islay • Tarbet • Oban • Mull • Campbeltown • Iona • Dunoon • Tiree • Lochgilphead • Seil … within an appropriate timescale – accessing specialist staff through the medium of English if necessary The Gaelic Administrator in Furan is deployed to support schools each week with a focus on greatest need. He provides high quality Gaelic language through songs, rhymes and drama to promote the children’s fluency. 2.10 Increase the number of employees who participate in Gaelic language lessons and workshops Increase by 10% 30 employees March 2025 Head of Customer Support Services GDW delivered 6 Gaelic training sessions at lunch time between November and December 2024. A Leon Module is currently being designed to offer a Gaelic for Beginners training hub. First part of module is expected to be complete by autumn. 2.11 Argyll & Bute Council will engage fully and constructively with Bòrd na Gàidhlig, as adviser on Gaelic education, and other stakeholders (including parents and parent representatives) Investigate the options of a Gaelic School in Argyll Investigation complete Dec 2024 Head of Education - Teaching and Learning Consultation held within authority and majority of responses were not in favour of an all-Gaelic school.
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Argyll & Bute Gaelic Language Plan Progress Report – 16 December 2023 to 16 December 2024 APPENDIX 1 Bute • Helensburgh • Islay • Tarbet • Oban • Mull • Campbeltown • Iona • Dunoon • Tiree • Lochgilphead • Seil … with a view to bringing forward, within the next two years, a consultation to ascertain the demand for an all-Gaelic School within the local authority area 2.12 Encourage young people to go into Gaelic teaching and career changes Develop promotional and awareness raising materials through Growing our Own and DYW Increased number of young people from A&B enter Gaelic teaching Throughout the life of the Plan Head of Education – teaching and Learning /Head of Customer Support Services GDW attended a Careers day in Tobermory with information leaflets from Gaelic teaching sources. 2.13 Extend Gaelic courses for the workforce to other public bodies, e.g. all in the Community Planning Partnership Partners contacted and offered the opportunity to participate Increased numbers of learners from partner organisations Throughout the life of the plan Head of Customer Support Services Opportunity to join sessions was issued and our training sessions have now been recorded for future use. We will continue to: 2.14 Encourage communities to access Bòrd na Gàidhlig funding to enable the delivery of community-based Gaelic language learning classes Target: Language lesson delivery in all areas with GMPE by 2026 - dependent upon funding from BnaG / other funding bodies Head of Education – Lifelong Learning GDW prepared and delivered a number of online Hub information workshops to provide information on setting up a Gaelic community hub and provided examples of BnaG
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Argyll & Bute Gaelic Language Plan Progress Report – 16 December 2023 to 16 December 2024 APPENDIX 1 Bute • Helensburgh • Islay • Tarbet • Oban • Mull • Campbeltown • Iona • Dunoon • Tiree • Lochgilphead • Seil … funding opportunities at that time. Each Gaelic newsletter has a funding section with the most up to date funding information from BnaG. Four Gaelic sessions for elected members and council officers have taken place. The aim of the sessions was to promote further use of Gaelic at council meetings. 2.15 Provide CPD opportunities for all Gaelic Education staff Target: Two opportunities per year to meet together for training / working parties / planning for staff in all ELC, primary and secondary sectors by 2026 – dependent on supply cover Head of Education – Teaching and Learning GM teachers have had access to 8 online CPD opportunities this academic session with all settings attending at least one session. In-person training was delivered in National Standardised Assessments with nearly all settings engaging. 2.16 Continue to support opportunities for teaching staff to access GLPS training in order to deliver Gaelic lessons to pupils in English Medium classes. Target: 10 more teachers trained in GLPS by 2026 – dependent upon funding from Scottish Government to GLPS Consortium Head of Education – Teaching and Learning 24/25- 2 teachers Aim for 25/26 is to obtain 6 places for A&B teachers on the national GLPS course
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Argyll & Bute Gaelic Language Plan Progress Report – 16 December 2023 to 16 December 2024 APPENDIX 1 Bute • Helensburgh • Islay • Tarbet • Oban • Mull • Campbeltown • Iona • Dunoon • Tiree • Lochgilphead • Seil … 2.17 Promote Gaelic learning opportunities through the wider learning community and in collaboration with Bòrd na Gàidhlig Target: All press releases / good news stories / Gaelic learning opportunities will be shared with the Council’s Communications Team and Bòrd na Gàidhlig’s PR Officer from 2023-2026 Head of Education – Lifelong Learning Working with Education Scotland and Bòrd na Gàidhlig to promote Gaelic Online team teaching for learners nationally. 2.18 Promote the benefits of bilingualism and Gaelic Education in partnership with Comann nam Pàrant/Bòrd na Gàidhlig and local communities Target: Respond to parental requests for GMPE as per the Assessment Protocol produced by Bòrd na Gàidhlig in response to the Education (Scotland) Act 2016 – Gaelic Provisions. Head of Education – Teaching and Learning There has been no request for GMPE since Bunessan in 2016. The Gaelic class is thriving with 100% of ELC children choosing GME. 2.20 Support schools in meeting the needs of all children through the promotion of the ‘Guidance on Gaelic Medium Education in Argyll and Bute’ document. Target: All GMPE provisions will have a rigorous system of assessment, tracking and monitoring – detailed in a Curriculum Rationale by August 2026 Head of Education - Teaching and Learning Work continues with all schools to ensure the advice document is used. All settings have received an audit toolkit to support self- evaluation. 2.21 Deliver Gaelic language learning classes in the workplace Head of Customer Support Services Leon Module is currently being developed. Due to Leon worker finishing post, there is slight delay in the completion of the module now due to be completed by Autumn. 3 Increasing the use of Gaelic We will: Target Success Measure Timescale Lead Update 16 Dec 2023 to 16 Dec 2024
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Argyll & Bute Gaelic Language Plan Progress Report – 16 December 2023 to 16 December 2024 APPENDIX 1 Bute • Helensburgh • Islay • Tarbet • Oban • Mull • Campbeltown • Iona • Dunoon • Tiree • Lochgilphead • Seil … 3.1 Increase the range of activities/groups accessing Gaelic Centre in Oban to include inter- generational working One session per month where Gaelic speaking community members interact with GM primary pupils to develop language and social skills 1 session per month throughout the duration of the plan By August 2026 Head of Education - Teaching and Learning GM pupils in Rockfield PS visit the Lynn Court Ceilidh on occasion to perform Gaelic songs and poetry. 3.3 Increase the number of curricular areas delivered through Gaelic in secondary school curriculum through partnership working with e- Sgoil All five secondary schools providing GME will liaise with e-Sgoil, as and when required, to deliver Gaelic and another curricular area to GM students – where each school’s staffing budget allows Duration of plan – 3 schools accessing e-Sgoil with 1 school accessing a different curricular area as well as Gaelic By 2026 Head of Education - Across the LA, 82 learners across 10 schools accessed 331 webinars with eSgoil. 3.4 Monitor the effective use of national and local Gaelic Guidance by schools All primary and secondary schools / ELC settings providing GME will have a Curriculum Rationale for 2 opportunities for the Education Authority to liaise with schools providing GME throughout the year 2023-2026 Head of Education The EO with responsibility for GME Jointly working with colleagues in Education Scotland monitor and support GME establishments and carry out quality
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Argyll & Bute Gaelic Language Plan Progress Report – 16 December 2023 to 16 December 2024 APPENDIX 1 Bute • Helensburgh • Islay • Tarbet • Oban • Mull • Campbeltown • Iona • Dunoon • Tiree • Lochgilphead • Seil … Gaelic by August 2020 assurance visits each session. 3.5 Support schools who have chosen to study Gaelic as Language 2 (GLPS) ensuring appropriate transition from primary to secondary. Principal Teacher (Gaelic focus) offers support in this area All primary schools with Gaelic as L2 will plan and implement a transition project specifically designed for Gaelic Learners 23/24- 2 24/25- 3 25/26- 4 By June 2026 Head of Education Islay and Jura and OLI now have Gaelic L2 transition projects well embedded from primary to secondary. 3.6 Increase the number of young people with Gaelic engaging with the wider Gaelic community in a variety of settings – through partnership working and outreach work with schools All settings with Gaelic Education will take part in an event with Gaelic speaking members of their local community at least once per academic year by August 2026 Gaelic Speaking Event: 23/24 – 8 24/25 – 9 25/26 – 11 August 2026 Head of Education GM settings continue to engage with the CnP residential trip on a rotation basis from P5- 7. All GM settings engage with their local Mod. 3.7 Raise Gaelic awareness by having words/phrases on the website on a regular basis, including the Programme of phrases developed and uploaded to Hub/Web Phrases in place Throughout the life of the plan Head of Customer Support Services This action has been superseded by the significant increase in online Gaelic learning, the Gaelic information on local dialects in our Gaelic facebook group and the completion of a
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Argyll & Bute Gaelic Language Plan Progress Report – 16 December 2023 to 16 December 2024 APPENDIX 1 Bute • Helensburgh • Islay • Tarbet • Oban • Mull • Campbeltown • Iona • Dunoon • Tiree • Lochgilphead • Seil … Argyll and Islay dialects training course, available on LEON (online learning system) on local Gaelic placenames. We will continue to: 3.8 Replace all internal and external signage bilingually when required Commercial Services Roads and Infrastructure Services This is policy and part of business as usual. 3.9 Utilise our translation and interpretation external service Customer Support Services The council tenders all external requirements for translation in accordance with procurement guidelines. 3.10 Ensure the Gaelic gathering meets biannually Development and Economic Growth Customer Support Services Community Planning Manager Complete and ongoing.