Council investment in Gaelic Education in the Highlands.
Leugh sa Ghàidhlig
The Highland Council’s commitment to Gaelic Medium Education was highlighted today (Tuesday) with the opening of two new classrooms at Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis and a classroom at Glenurquhart Primary School, Drumnadrochit.
The new units, built at a total cost of £600,000, were opened by Dr Alasdair Allan, Scottish Minister for Learning and Skills at ceremonies in both communities.
Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis (Scotland’s first purpose-built Gaelic Medium School) had a school roll of 101 primary and 50 nursery pupils when it was formally opened by Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond in January 2008. The current school roll is 197 pupils (154 Primary, 43 Nursery and a further 27 enrolled in Nursery).
The Bun-sgoil is one of a number of schools in the Highlands that was built through the Public Private Partnership Initiative. When it opened the school had 7 classrooms and 1 nursery room. In its second year of operation, due to a sharp rise in pupil intake, one of the spare classrooms became a second nursery room and it became clear that an extension would be required to accommodate the increase in pupil numbers coming up through the school.
The extension provided 2 additional classrooms increasing the accommodation to 2 nursery rooms and 8 classes for primary stages. Gaelic Medium pupils transfer to Inverness Royal Academy when they have completed their primary education.
Council Leader Councillor Michael Foxley said: “The extensions to the two schools demonstrate the continuing and growing interest in Gaelic Medium Education in the Highlands. We are delighted with the support we have received from the Scottish Government in being able to proceed with these two important investments in our communities.”
Donald McLachlan, Operations Director of Morrison Construction, said: “It is pleasing to see the children enjoying the new building and it really brings our work to life. Morrison has unrivalled experience of building schools across the Highlands and consistently deliver a quality project on time and to budget. We all hope that pupils and staff members are very happy in their new home.”
Dr Allan also opened a new classroom in Glenurquhart Primary School where the school roll is currently 120 pupils with 7 pupils in Gaelic Medium Primary and 3 Gaelic Medium Nursery. Demand for Gaelic Medium Education provision in the Drumnadrochit area was expressed by local parents to the Council’s Education Service. Following a statutory public consultation, members of the Council’s Education, Council and Sport Committee agreed in January 2010 that Gaelic Medium education provision should be established in the Glenurquhart Primary and an additional classroom was provided.
Parents and carers thinking of choosing Gaelic Medium Education and bilingualism for their children can contact their local Gaelic Nursery, Primary School or Area Education Office or find out more information on the Council’s website at http://www.highland.gov.uk/gaelicmediumeducation.htm or can email: gaelic@highland.gov.uk