Developing Gaelic Language within North Lanarkshire - Leasachadh Dealbhadh Gaidhlig ann an Comhairle Shiorrachd Lannraig a Tuath
North Lanarkshire Council · 23 May 2023
Back to Education, Children and Families Committee — 23 May 2023 and its agenda
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North Lanarkshire Council Report Education Children & Families Committee Does this report require to be approved? ☒ Yes ☐ No Ref GMcL/JW Date 23/05/23 Developing Gaelic Language within North Lanarkshire Leasachadh Dealbhadh Gaidhlig ann an Comhairle Shiorrachd Lannraig a Tuath From Gerard McLaughlin, Chief Officer (Education - North) E-mail McLaughlinG@northlan.gov.uk Telephone Executive Summary Through the delivery of the Gaelic Language Plan (GLP) North Lanarkshire has a commitment to ensure that Gaelic is given equal status as a modern, vibrant language. Gaelic opens doors to another view of the world and gives us an understanding or our history and culture and a clearer picture of the future. Gaelic has great value and importance to us all. This paper will review and update Education Children and Families Committee on the current Gaelic Language Plan 2022-2027. As previously advised the implementation of the plan is subject to securing a robust funding model, and further information on the costs and financial supports available for Gaelic education are included in the report. Providing detail on the service’s ambitions to deliver the Gaelic language Plan, dependant on funding being in place and Scottish Government providing adequate funding. Through this report, there are specific details made to ‘Gaelic education’. This term is used when discussing matters relevant to both Gaelic Medium Education (GME) and Gaelic Learner Education (GLE). Within North Lanarkshire there is a longstanding strength in Gaelic Education. Gaelic is not just about the inherited heritage of Gaelic, it is still alive today, used by pupils, communities, parents and staff. This report will detail the plans for growth by committing to increase the offer to pupils in schools to learn Gaelic as well as ensuring that opportunities exist for the wider community. This paper outlines the current levels of joint investment in Gaelic Language activity, including Gaelic Medium Education, by North Lanarkshire Council and Scottish Government and the future planning agreed with Bord na Gaidhlig for its further evolution.
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1. Background 1.1 Between 1999-2002, the Scottish Executive commissioned two reports on Gaelic: the Macpherson Report and the Meek Report. Both reached similar conclusions, significantly the creation of a Gaelic Language Act to give effect to the proposal of secure status for Gaelic as set out by CNAG (Comann na Gàidhlig 1997). 1.2 In response to these reports, the Scottish Executive established Bòrd na Gaidhlig in 2002. The Bòrd has a duty to promote and fund the development of the Gaelic language, assist with the creation of Gaelic Language Plans and to co-ordinate activities in support of Gaelic. 1.3 The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act commenced on 13th February 2006 and established Bòrd na Gàidhlig as a public body which is responsible for the preservation of Gaelic as an official language which enjoys the same respect as English in Scotland. The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 received Royal assent on 1st June 2005. The Act gives an official framework to the efforts to preserve and sustain the Gaelic language and culture. Bòrd na Gàidhlig, in partnership with other organisations, is responsible for carrying out the provisions of the Act. The Education (Scotland) Act 2016 also contains provisions on Gaelic Education. These include placing a duty on education authorities to promote and support Gaelic Medium Education (GME) and Gaelic Learner Education (GLE). Alongside Education Scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig develop guidance on Gaelic education and the development of GME under the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc 2000 Act. 1.4 Currently, 16 of 32 local authorities offer primary Gaelic Medium Education, almost four decades from the first primary units being established in 1985 in Glasgow and Inverness with 24 pupils. 1.5 According to the Scottish Government Pupil Census, there are currently 5066 pupils taught in GME provision across Scotland. In November 2022, Duolingo released new data revealing that 1.5 million people have started learning Scottish Gaelic on their app. Recommendations It is recommended that the Education, Children and Families Committee: • Endorse the contents of the paper. • Review the financial position of the current Gaelic programme and consider the implications for further development of the programme. • Approve the proposed plans for the expansion of Gaelic Education within North Lanarkshire, which will be subject to funding. • Acknowledge the impact for funding and staff recruitment has on service planning and delivery. • Acknowledge the service will write to Scottish Government to further outline our ambitious plans for GME in North Lanarkshire which have already been published in the accepted GLP for 2022-2027 and to request additional funding to support this. The Plan for North Lanarkshire Priority Improve North Lanarkshire's resource base Ambition statement (6) Raise attainment and skills for learning, life, and work to enhance opportunities and choices
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The primary motivation for learning the language is recorded as culture, with many looking to reconnect with their heritage. (Sabhal Mòr Ostaig - uhi.ac.uk) 1.6 The latest edition of the Gaelic Language Plan for North Lanarkshire Council was approved by Bord na Gaidhlig in February 2022 and published in June 22. It is informed by both the National Gaelic Language Plan 2018-23 and The Plan for North Lanarkshire to make it the best place in Scotland to live, learn, work, invest and visit. 1.7 North Lanarkshire, along with other local authorities has access to national funding streams to underpin Gaelic Education such as the Gaelic Specific Grant (GSG). However, in general the available grants offer part funding and do not support the full cost of Gaelic education, with the result that the Service has been incurring increasing annual overspends in recent years to maintain existing levels of provision. 1.8 North Lanarkshire’s provision for Gaelic Education is delivered through Gaelic learner education, this is at the universal level which leads to learning at the additional level currently within Greenfaulds. Gaelic medium education is the intensive level offer and for learners out with school settings there is the community offer from Community Learning and Development (CLD). 1.9 North Lanarkshire’s provision for Gaelic Education through GME is celebrating 25 years this year. The GME provision at Condorrat Primary was opened in 1998. Provision for GME is now located across three establishments: Tollbrae Nursery Class, Condorrat Primary and Nursery Class and Greenfaulds Secondary. 1.10 Since opening Condorrat GME provision in 1997, records of P1 enrolments show that there has been a total of 497 pupils enrolled. The graph below shows the enrolments at P1 per academic session. Universal Languages learning for all children, usually offered through 1+2. Additional Gaelic subject learning, for pupils not engaged in GME Intenstive GME specalist provision Community Gaelic learning opportunities outside of formal education Gaelic Education
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1.11 GME in North Lanarkshire has regularly been celebrated nationally, with Education Scotland and other learning events for young people. In 2018, Greenfaulds High School was the winner of the Scottish Education Award for Gaelic Education. This recognised the school’s approaches to developing the Gaelic curriculum. Condorrat Primary was then a runner up in the same award in 2019. Condorrat was also featured in a Thematic HMIe national report, highlighting the approaches used in the recovery of education from the Covid19 pandemic. 1.12 Both establishments actively seek ways to develop the creative skills of young people through Gaelic and this has been recognised at events such as The Young Scot Awards and the National Mod. 1.13 The current numbers of young people who are part of Gaelic learning through GME are detailed below, alongside the number of staff required to maintain this provision. Establishment Number of Pupils in Gaelic Education Sgoil Àraich Tollbrae (Tollbrae Nursery) 13 Sgoil Àraich Condorrat (Condorrat Nursery) 16 Bun-Sgoil Chondobhrait (Condorrat Primary) 150 Àrd-sgoil Greenfaulds (Greenfaulds High School) 70 Gaelic Education Staff within NLC Establishment Number of Staff (FTE) Bun-Sgoil Chondobhrait (Condorrat Primary) 10 Sgoil Àraich Chondobhrait (Condorrat Nursery) 5 Sgoil Àraich Tollbrae (Tollbrae Nursery) 3 Greenfaulds Secondary 7.6
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1.14 At the key points of transition for educational session 2023/24, almost all children are transitioning within the intensive level of GME. Establishment Number at stage of Transition Number Transitioning within GME Number /Reason not transitioning Tollbrae Nursery 7 6 1 – applied for deferred entry Condorrat Nursery 7 7 N/A Condorrat Primary 21 20 1- Attending Private School 2. Report 2.1 This report builds on the report presented to Committee in February 2021 and, taking an evidenced based approach, seeks to ensure the GLP (attached in further reading Appendix 1) is progressed in conjunction with the plan for North Lanarkshire and through existing funding. 2.2 To support this shared ambition, we have a bold vision for the strategic expansion of Gaelic language and cultural activity in North Lanarkshire, which is grounded in the understanding of the significant opportunities that investing in Gaelic language provides. 2.3 North Lanarkshire has long had links to the wider Gaelic Community right across the Central Belt, and we are committed to further strengthening this through corporate commitments to ensuring equal status for Gaelic in all areas of council business, and through forming stronger ties with our communities and working with partners in neighbouring authorities’ and beyond. 2.4 Detailed within the GLP are a series of key actions which are to be delivered within a 5-year timeframe. The key actions are under the three National Priorities of : • Increasing the use of Gaelic • Increasing the learning of Gaelic • Promoting the positive image of the language 2.5 Almost all key actions of the GLP for both increasing the use and learning of Gaelic are aimed to be year 1 and 2 delivery. Education, Children and Families will be the lead service area for these. Evaluation will be integral to each of these and will be completed with stakeholders to support future development, reporting and measuring impact. The graphic below gives these in more detail for year 1 (2022/23). Further timelines will be detailed in future reports and are contained in the GLP for North Lanarkshire, available on the North Lanarkshire website.
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2.6 For educational session 2022/23, the service added a further temporary post of ESO 1+2 (Gaelic). The remit of this post holder was to support the development of the GLP and the universal offers of Gaelic across all establishments. This commitment to Gaelic Education and the further development of high-quality learning experiences across all areas of Gaelic learning has been continued for session 2023/24. 2.7 The table below details the Gaelic specific grant (GSG) income and expenditure over the past 4 years and the increasing overspends linked to this provision: Financial Year SG Grant (£) Council Core Funding (£) Total Funding (£) Expenditure (£) Overspend (£) 2019/20 260,000 182,333 442,333 472,116 - 29,783 2020/21 260,000 182,333 442,333 503,776 - 61,443 2021/22 265,000 177,333 442,333 617,776 - 175,443 2022/23 260,000 182,333 442,333 814,728 - 372,395 2.7.1 As per the table above, the overspend within Gaelic activity has been increasing over the past 4 years and is an ongoing financial burden within the Service. In recent years expenditure has increased predominantly due to rising transport costs. 2.7.2 The proposed grant from Scottish Government for session 2023/24 is £260,000. Through the annual bid process for GSG, the Service has requested funding uplifts but to date have not been successful. 2.7.3 The Service has earmarked resources within it’s allocation of additional teacher and support staff funding to increase staffing within GME on a temporary basis during Evaluation of Gaelic Education Establish Gaelic Improvement Group and Parents group Collate Baseline data for Gaelic education currently Current enrolement data for GME in North Lanarkshire Inital curricular developments for Gaelic education, including Digital SChool. Baseline data of learning pathway opportunities for children and young people within GME Begin expansion planning process for GME in North Lanarkshire
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academic year 2023/24. However as detailed in section 2.8.4 below, there are national challenges to recruit within GME. Increasing the Use and Learning of Gaelic 2.8 A first year key action of the GLP was to establish and maintain a Gaelic language plan implementation group with senior representation from all Council departments. The aim of the Gaelic Improvement Group, who meet quarterly is to report progress on the implementation of the plan across the service areas. 2.8.1 One of the high level aims of the current GLP is: to agree for the establishment of a Gaelic Medium 3-18 campus within the Council Area. The establishment of a 3-18 hub would need to be aligned to the Council’s operating model of town hubs and their planned development. 2.8.2 The service plan to expand the intensive provision of GME would continue prior to the development of a 3-18 hub, by developing a hub and satellite spoke model across the locality areas. This is illustrated below. Any expansion of provision would where required follow formal consultation processes and be discussed with the Gaelic Parents Consultation Group, which has been established this session as part of the GLP. Appendix 2 illustrates the ask that through the schools, went to all parents whose children are part of GME. 2.8.3 The expansion of Gaelic Medium Education (GME) will be impacted by a shortage of probationer teacher allocation; challenges in recruiting Gaelic teachers/succession planning, capacity in the system to accommodate the training required. These issues are not unique to North Lanarkshire, but they are particularly relevant to note. Acknowledging these challenges helps planning and enables us to prioritise and direct all of our resources effectively. 2.8.4 Staffing risks has been highlighted nationally in educational articles. The Scottish Government is giving further consideration to the points raised. In response to the article by Foxley and Roberston they said: Establishment of a standalone immersive GME early years and Primary provision within Cumbernauld area Continue secondary provision at Greenfaulds High By August 2024 Development of Early years and Primary GME centre within an exisiting English education Provision in the Central Area By August 2025 Development of Early years and/or Primary GME centre within an exisiting English education Provision in the South Area By August 2026 Development of a 3-18 hub, in line with town hub.
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"Gaelic teachers are vital to this success and that is why we are continuing to work with a range of partners, including the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), initial teacher training institutions and Bord na Gaidhlig, to create pathways, such as the new Gaelic additional teaching qualification at the University of Strathclyde, for those who wish to enter the sector.” 2.8.5 The learning pathways for young people who are part of additional and intensive offers of GME are demonstrating pace and progression through the learning. The three tables below show the progression of young people currently within Greenfaulds. These detail the three types of learners, fluent, Gaelic learners and broader GME subjects. Table 1 fluent speakers Year Year total CfE (BGE) N4/5 Higher Adv Higher S1 12 12 S2 17 17 S3 13 8 5 S4 17 12 5 S5 4 3 1 S6 3 3 Totals 66 37 17 11 1 Table 2 Gaelic Learners Year Year total CfE (BGE) N4/5 Higher Adv Higher S1 9 9 S2 9 9 S3 5 5 S4 1 1 S5 1 1 S6 - Totals 25 23 1 1 Table 3 Gaelic Education Subjects for learners not following GME Curriculum Year Year total CfE (BGE) N4/5 Higher Adv Higher S1 S2 S3 S4 1 Hist 1 Art S5 S6 Totals 2
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2.8.6 The current leaver destination data for Greenfaulds High, shows that 12 of the 14 leavers for session 2021/22 entered a positive destination. All these young people currently live within SIMD 5-9. There were 3 leavers in SIMD 1-3, one has progressed to further education further education and in higher education. 2.8.7 Education’s commitment to ensure that Gaelic is a vibrant language that young people have equal opportunity to learn, will be developed at the universal and additional level of provision. Currently Education have issued a languages survey to all establishments. This will provide the baseline position following the COVID pandemic and subsequent recovery period. This data will be used to further inform the next steps of Gaelic education and the learning experiences for our young people. 2.8.8 North Lanarkshire’s Digital School will play a key role to ensure Gaelic learning opportunities are increased universally. In addition, they will develop with the ESO high quality Gaelic specific resources for use at all levels of Gaelic education in North Lanarkshire. The digital classrooms currently being installed across all 23 secondaries in North Lanarkshire will increase capacity for additional level Gaelic Learning. Enabling those, particularly at the senior phase to develop their learning pathways within Gaelic education. Promoting a Positive Image of the Language 2.9 The third key commitment of North Lanarkshire Council within the GLP is to promote the positive image of Gaelic. During Seachainn Na Gàidhlig (Gaelic Week) A range of community events took place across the authority. Qualitative feedback from the events was positive. “Really relaxed and inclusive atmosphere, encouragement for everyone at any stage of their Gaelic journey. Delighted with this event, would be great for the Community to have more!” 2.9.1 The creation of the ‘Why Gaelic?’ advertisement by Community Learning and Development has had measurable impact with adult learners currently on the waiting list. CLD have identified that expansion of the programme would include Gaelic Language tutors. Funding for this will be sourced through Bord na Gàidhlig. 2.9.2 A promotional campaign is currently being developed to celebrate 25 years of Gaelic Medium education within North Lanarkshire. The campaign will outline and highlight the three key commitments of North Lanarkshire Council’s Gaelic Language Plan and provide vibrant information on routes into Gaelic education. This accessible resource will be part of the continued work to celebrate the language of Gaelic in North Lanarkshire today and the benefits of bilingualism. 2.9.3 As part of its corporate branding initiatives, North Lanarkshire Council has incorporated the Gaelic language into its logo to represent equal prominence for both Gaelic and English. The Gaelic Improvement Group will now explore opportunities to develop this further. 2.9.4 North Lanarkshire Council’s website has been updated with a dedicated page on Gaelic learning and provision across the authority. The webpage shares information on the benefits of bilingualism for children and signposts further research. Schools which offer Gaelic Medium Education and Community Learning and Development regularly post content in Gaelic. The aim is to increase the amount of Gaelic content on social media each year by 5%.
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2.9.5 CLD tutors as a whole currently deliver classes at Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced level to 75 registered learners. Classes are delivered in person and online, using Microsoft Teams. There are currently 41 individuals awaiting allocation to a Gaelic class when availability arises. Additionally a new class was recently started based at the Gaelic Medium Educational Resource Condorrat Primary School, aimed at parents of children attending GME education; presently ten parents are enrolled in this class. 2.9.6 All classes run weekly and use the ‘Speak Gaelic’ Resources, developed by the National Gaelic College Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. Plans are currently underway for what will be a monthly conversation circle initially, offering enhanced opportunity for learners to use their Gaelic skills in a more informal setting. 2.9.7 Further to the learning opportunities, the team organises Community based events to encourage and promote Gaelic Language and culture. In the past year, this has involved a Community Picnic for all ages in August 2022, Fèis Lannraig a’ Tuath which attracted more than 50 participants, a Gaelic Day, Àm airson na Gàidhlig in February 2023, which took place as part of World Gaelic Week/ Seachdain na Gaìdhlig, as well as a concert in the same week featuring renowned Gaelic singer Joy Dunlop. A further workshop was delivered with writer Maya MacGregor who writes through the medium of Gaelic. The workshop was delivered at Greenfaulds High School in the Gaelic Medium Unit, to pupils at varying levels of Gaelic learning and focused on writing skills and creative writing; this was delivered through the medium of Gaelic. 2.9.8 Through the Gaelic Improvement Group, services broader than education will have a timeline to develop their associated key actions on the Gaelic language plan. Next Steps 2.10 As detailed throughout the report, Education, Children and Families have identified specific next steps which will develop a range of aspects of the GLP and ensure that Gaelic is continuing to be a vibrant modern language which enables our young people to develop wider routes to learning life and work. Central to the development of the GLP and the expansion of Gaelic Language will be to consult with parents. The newly created Parents’ Consultation Group will meet termly with key officers to consult and report on the plan. This will be in addition to school-based consultation and any legally required statutory consultation through expansion of provision within GME. 2.10.1 A future report will be brought to committee, giving a full update on the progress of the GLP and the expansion of Gaelic learning within North Lanarkshire. 2.11 Continue to develop the working with Comann nan Pàrant, to increase Gaelic opportunities for children, young people and their families. Using GME establishments to host and support key events, which celebrate the positive image of Gaelic and the learning opportunities within North Lanarkshire. 3. Measures of success 3.1 Continued development of high-quality Gaelic Education as a vibrant and modern language for the children and young people of North Lanarkshire. 3.2 Increasing volunteering and wider learning opportunities for all young people, particularly those in the senior phase at Greenfaulds High.
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3.3 Delivery of the GLP and the high level aims and associated key actions detailed within the plan. 4. Supporting documentation 4.1 Appendix 1 - North Lanarkshire’s Gaelic Language Plan 2022-2027 - Measadh (Teamplaid 2019) (northlanarkshire.gov.uk) 4.2 Appendix 2 - Gaelic Parents Consultation Group Gerard McLaughlin Chief Officer (Education - North)
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5. Impacts ( http://connect/report-template-guidance ) 5.1 Public Sector Equality Duty and Fairer Scotland Duty Does the report contain information that has an impact as a result of the Public Sector Equality Duty and/or Fairer Scotland Duty? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? If Yes, has an assessment been carried out and published on the council’s website? https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/your-community/equalities/equality- and-fairer-scotland-duty-impact-assessments Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.2 Financial impact Does the report contain any financial impacts? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant financial impacts have been discussed and agreed with Finance?|\ Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The Scottish Government provide annual revenue funding through the Gaelic Specific Grant (2023/24 £260,000) and General Revenue Grant (2023/24 £87,000). The Service is required to support the balance of funding required to maintain the Gaelic programme including transport costs. The Service is also using national teacher and support staff funding to increase on a temporary basis the number of school based staff and engage an ESO during 2023/24. 5.3 HR policy impact Does the report contain any HR policy or procedure impacts? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant HR impacts have been discussed and agreed with People Resources? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? The additionality in staffing for session 2023/24 is 4.2 FTE for Greenfaulds, this is made up of 2.6 staffing which enables the service to meet curricular needs, place a member of staff who has completed Immersion this year and retain a finishing probationer. 0.8 probationer for Condorrat and the 1 FTE equivalent from March to June 2024, allows the service to retain the finishing probationer, who will from Aug 23- March 24 cover a Mat leave. All additionality is for an agreed 1 year period until June 2024. The service has identified within the paper the challenges to recruit into the GME side of Gaelic Education. This will remain a challenge and a risk to future development of provision. 5.4 Legal impact Does the report contain any legal impacts (such as general legal matters, statutory considerations (including employment law considerations), or new legislation)? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, have all relevant legal impacts have been discussed and agreed with Legal and Democratic? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact?
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Discussions have started with legal on any possible statutory consultations which may be required as a result of service expansion. 5.5 Data protection impact Does the report / project / practice contain or involve the processing of personal data? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, is the processing of this personal data likely to result in a high risk to the data subject? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, has a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) been carried out and e- mailed to dataprotection@northlan.gov.uk Yes ☐ No ☐ 5.6 Technology / Digital impact Does the report contain information that has an impact on either technology, digital transformation, service redesign / business change processes, data management, or connectivity / broadband / Wi-Fi? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? Where the impact identifies a requirement for significant technology change, has an assessment been carried out (or is scheduled to be carried out) by the Enterprise Architecture Governance Group (EAGG)? Yes ☐ No ☒ 5.7 Environmental / Carbon impact Does the report / project / practice contain information that has an impact on any environmental or carbon matters? Yes ☒ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.8 Communications impact Does the report contain any information that has an impact on the council’s communications activities? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the impact? 5.9 Risk impact Is there a risk impact? Yes ☒ No ☐ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the key risks and potential impacts, highlighting where the risk(s) are assessed and recorded (e.g. Corporate or Service or Project Risk Registers), and how they are managed? The key risks identified within the paper are those within finance and HR, which if unable to meet would have an impact on the running of Gaelic education within North Lanarkshire. This will be added to the service risk register. 5.10 Armed Forces Covenant Duty Does the report require to take due regard of the Armed Forces Covenant Duty (i.e. does it relate to healthcare, housing, or education services for in-Service or ex- Service personnel, or their families, or widow(er)s)? Yes ☐ No ☒ If Yes, please provide a brief summary of the provision which has been made to ensure there has been appropriate consideration of the particular needs of the Armed Forces community to make sure that they do not face disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public services.
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Appendix 2 Gaelic Parents Consultation Group
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