Gaelic Medium Education Provision in Renfrewshire ECSPB
Renfrewshire Council · 20 August 2026
Back to Education and Children's Services Policy Board — 20 August 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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PUBLIC Page 1 of 7 To: Education and Children’s Services Policy Board On: 20 August 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Director of Children’s Services ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Gaelic Medium Education Provision in Renfrewshire ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1. The Education (Scotland) Act 2016 places a duty on education authorities to promote and support Gaelic Medium Education (GME) and Gaelic Learner Education (GLE) and establishes a process by which parents can request Gaelic Medium Primary Education (GMPE) from their education authority. 1.2. GMPE is delivered via full immersion. Children experience all learning through the medium of Gaelic in P1-3. Thereafter, immersion continues but from P4, English is introduced. Gaelic remains the predominant language of the classroom. 1.3. Under the legislation and statutory guidance, parents of pre-school children have the right to request an assessment of the need for GMPE from the education authority in which they reside. Any request must be accompanied by evidence of demand for GMPE from parents of other children resident in the same education authority area who will commence primary school in the same year as the specified child. An initial assessment must be completed within 6 weeks. A full assessment allows 10 weeks for the local authority to undertake and report on the exercise. 1.4. The first GMPE provision in Renfrewshire opened in August 2022 within West Primary School and welcomed pupils in Primaries 1–3. The provision has grown year-on-year and now extends across Primaries 1–6. For session 2026/27, 12 new Primary 1 pupils are enrolled to commence learning through the medium of Gaelic at West Primary School, representing the largest intake since the provision was established and demonstrating continued growth in demand for Gaelic Medium Education in Renfrewshire. 1.5. Our GMPE provision is led by the Head Teacher at West Primary School, a Principal Teacher of GME and one class teacher.
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PUBLIC Page 2 of 7 1.6. Each year, an application is made to the Scottish Government’s Gaelic Specific Grant Fund and Capital Grant Fund with bids written with a view to embedding, extending and enhancing our existing offer for GME within Renfrewshire. 1.7. Our provision for GMPE was inspected by Education Scotland in April 2023 as part of a wider inspection of West Primary School. Inspectors highlighted a number of strengths including the positive impact of Gaelic on the wider school: ‘Gaelic Medium Education within West Primary School is becoming well established. Children are making good progress in talking Gaelic. For children learning through English, their curriculum is widening through their learning about Gaelic language and culture.’ 1.8. An annual event to promote the availability of GMPE in Renfrewshire has been established and is delivered in partnership with representatives from Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Comann nam Pàrant. 1.9. The Scottish Languages Bill is currently at Stage 3 of the process to determine if it should become an Act. The Bill gives the Gaelic language official status in Scotland and makes changes to the support for the Gaelic language in Scotland. This includes changes in relation to Gaelic education: - providing Scottish Ministers with powers to set standards and produce guidance for local authorities in relation to Gaelic education; - amending the statutory definition of school education; - requiring local authorities to promote Gaelic education; - making various other changes linked to GME including a process for parents to request Gaelic Medium Early Learning & Childcare (GMELC) ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1. The Education and Children’s Services Policy Board is requested to: - Note progress to date in relation to Gaelic Medium Primary Education (GMPE) - Approve Children's Services officers to continue implementing the Council's phased short, medium and long-term strategy for Gaelic Medium Education, including the development of Gaelic Medium Early Learning and Childcare (GMELC) provision, the continued growth of primary provision at West Primary School and the exploration of future secondary provision with the long-term objective of establishing a sustainable 3–18 Gaelic education pathway within Renfrewshire. ___________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1. The Council’s Gaelic Language Plan (2024 - 2029) includes a commitment to explore opportunities for GMELC and secondary provision during the life of the Plan. 3.2. In our consultation in 2023 as part of the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, 23% of respondents expressed an interest in GME as
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PUBLIC Page 3 of 7 part of their child’s early learning experience. The majority of those who expressed an interest reside in the Erskine area. 3.3. Renfrewshire Council continues to provide transport to children attending GMPE provision out with Renfrewshire for children in P6 & P7 and young people attending GME secondary provisions in other local authorities. Transport is currently provided to 8 primary pupils attending provisions in Glasgow and Inverclyde. 17 secondary pupils are provided with transport to Glasgow Gaelic School. 71% of these young people live centrally within Renfrewshire, specifically within the Paisley and Renfrew areas. 3.4. The Council’s webpages are currently being updated in relation to GME with a continued focus on highlighting the availability of GMPE within Renfrewshire. 3.5. A working group of Council officers (Children’s Services) and parents of children accessing our GMPE provision has been established with a view to consulting on aspects of the Council’s Gaelic Language Plan (2024 - 2029) 3.6 Renfrewshire Council's approach to Gaelic Medium Education is based on a phased strategy designed to establish a sustainable 3–18 learner pathway. The strategy recognises the need to balance growing parental demand with the long-term sustainability of provision. Activity is therefore being progressed through short-term, medium-term and long-term planning arrangements to ensure that future investment is informed by evidence of demand and delivers best value. Short-term Plan - Consider establishing a GMELC provision to support the growth of GMPE in Renfrewshire. - Consider options in relation to establishment location. - Explore staffing and recruitment options. - Engage with the Care Inspectorate to register the GMELC provision. Medium-term Plan - Consider a merged provision for Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) and primary on the basis that the demand for Gaelic is likely to increase and will outgrow the existing service at West Primary School. - Consult and engage with partners as appropriate including Education Scotland, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, Comann nam Pàrant, parents/carer and the Scottish Government. - Continue to explore options for secondary GME provision and liaise with parents to support effective transitions for pupils. 2 pupils from our GMPE provision are due to start S1 in August 2027 - a low number when considering establishing provision within Renfrewshire. - Placing requests will be considered by Inverclyde and Glasgow and secondary provision is also currently available in North Lanarkshire and Falkirk. Long-term Plan - Undertake public consultations in relation to GME as appropriate. - Focus on a strategic 10 year plan for GME in Renfrewshire and assess 3- 18 provision.
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PUBLIC Page 4 of 7 3.7 Significant progress has been made in delivering the short-term objectives identified by the strategic planning group. This includes the introduction of a Gaelic-speaking ELC Support Worker from August 2026, the introduction of a Gaelic experience within West Primary Nursery Class and the proposed identification of Hillview Early Learning and Childcare Centre as the preferred location for the establishment of dedicated GMELC provision from August 2027. 3.8 The Gaelic experience will provide children with opportunities to hear, use and enjoy Gaelic through play-based learning. Children will be introduced to simple Gaelic words, phrases, songs, stories, games and daily routines, helping to build familiarity with the language in a fun and engaging environment. The approach will focus on developing an awareness and appreciation of Gaelic language and culture. 3.9 This project will also support the longer-term planning for GMELC by allowing the service to better assess parental demand and support the transition to creating a GMELC offer for children and families with Renfrewshire Council. 3.10 In addition, an Early Learning and Childcare setting has been identified as an appropriate setting to deliver GMELC from August 2027. This proposal includes changes to the service model at Hillview Early Learning and Childcare Centre. The centre will continue to provide care and learning for children from birth to five years however, from August 2027, it is proposed that it will also include a dedicated GME ELC provision for up to 10 FTE children. During session 2026/27, implementation planning will be undertaken to support the introduction of the new provision, including minor works, staffing, family engagement, curriculum development and registration requirements. 3.11 There is also the potential within the setting to increase GME capacity to 16 full time children through registration of outdoor learning space, subject to regulatory approval. 3.12 Funding for the development and implementation of the GMELC will be supported through a combination of external grant funding (Scottish Government Capital Grant and Bòrd na Gàidhlig funding) and resources identified within existing ELC revenue budgets. This approach will enable the establishment of the provision in a financially sustainable manner while minimising any additional cost pressures on core service budgets. 3.13 The Scottish Government provides opportunities for local authorities to apply for Capital Grant funding each year. In December 2023 for financial year 24/25, Scottish Government awarded Renfrewshire £43,000 to undertake works and purchase resources for a new P4-7 GME classroom at West Primary School to support our provision. 3.14 Renfrewshire Council can also apply for Gaelic Specific Grant funding on an annual basis. This also comes from the Scottish Government and is specifically for projects that support the growth and use of Gaelic. Renfrewshire has applied for this for several years but over the past 3 years the council has received: 24/25 £55,000 23/24 £50,000
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PUBLIC Page 5 of 7 22/23 £26,449 3.15 The growth of Gaelic Medium Education in Renfrewshire represents a significant success for the Council. Since establishing provision in 2022, pupil numbers have continued to increase, with 12 new pupils due to commence Primary 1 in August 2026. The Council's phased approach provides a clear pathway for future growth, ensuring that decisions regarding Early Learning and Childcare, primary and secondary provision are evidence-based, sustainable and aligned with parental demand. ______________________________________________________ Implications of this report 1. Financial The forecast total spend on transport to GME provisions in 26/27 is £174,730 £60,265 to West PS £114,465 to Glasgow Gaelic and Whinhill 2. HR and Organisational Development There will be a requirement to recruit 2 GME Early Learning practitioners for the new provision. 3. Community/Council Planning Our Renfrewshire is thriving - Children have the best start in life. Working together to improve outcomes - Consultation with the parents involved has been ongoing throughout the process and Scottish Government and Bòrd na Gàidhlig have been fully engaged in supporting the Council through the development of GMPE in Renfrewshire. 4. Legal Renfrewshire Council is complying with the key legislative provision of the Education (Scotland) Act 2016, Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, the Standard in Scotland’s Schools Act 2000 and the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014. These Acts together provide a framework for children to be educated in accordance with their parents’ wishes. 5. Property/Assets Consider options for GME Early Years Provision, 6. Information Technology N/A 7. Equality and Human Rights
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PUBLIC Page 6 of 7 The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health and Safety Council Officers will liaise with central teams to ensure policies are adhered to. 9. Procurement None. 10. Risk None. 11. Privacy Impact None. 12. Climate Risk None. 13. Children’s Rights When considering any future GME school provision, the impact this will have on children is a key consideration, and any work will be based around the direct needs of children to allow their education experience to thrive. Whilst children have a right to choose where they wish to attend school in collaboration with their parents, the council will adhere to legal requirements. Article 28 (right to education) Every child has the right to an education. Primary education must be free and different forms of secondary education must be available to every child. Article 29 (goals of education) Education must develop every child’s personality, talents and abilities to the full. It must encourage the child’s respect for human rights, as well as respect for their parents, their own and other cultures, and the environment. 14. Cosla Policy Position None. List of Background Papers ‘Gaelic Medium Primary Education Provision in Renfrewshire’ - Report to Education and Children’s Services Policy Board on 9 June 2022. The foregoing background papers will be retained within children’s services for inspection by the public for the prescribed period of four years from the date of the meeting. The contact officer within the service is: Laura McAllister,
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PUBLIC Page 7 of 7 Education Manager (Curriculum, Learning & Teaching), 07483 361 153, laura.mcallister@renfrewshire.gov.uk. ___________________________________________________________________ Children’s Services LM Author: Laura McAllister Education Manager - Curriculum, Learning & Teaching laura.mcallister@renfrewshire.gov.uk / 07483 361 153