Bòrd na Gàidhlig supports case for Bonnington school in Edinburgh

Bòrd na Gàidhlig has called for the establishment of a stand alone Gaelic school at Bonnington in Edinburgh.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig has specific statutory responsibilities in relation to promoting Gaelic and to providing advice to Ministers and public organisations on matters concerning Gaelic language, culture and education.

In its detailed response to Edinburgh City Council’s Consultation on the provision of Gaelic education in the city, the Bòrd is backing the proposal to create a stand alone school at Bonnington.  John Angus MacKay, Ceannard (CEO) of the Bòrd said:’A stand alone Gaelic school ensures that its children are being taught in a wholly Gaelic environment which enhances their linguistic skills, while at the same time delivering the full curriculum provision with excellent educational results.’

There are many proven educational benefits for pupils in Gaelic medium schools and recent research has confirmed earlier research showing that the attainment levels in Gaelic medium education are as good in all subjects, and better in some, than English language education.

The Bòrd’s view is that Gaelic medium education is well established in Edinburgh.  It has been a feature of the educational provision in the capital city for over 20 years.  Mr MacKay continued:’To the credit of the City of Edinburgh Council, Tollcross Primary School management, teachers, parents and pupils, the Gaelic medium unit has been acknowledged as a success . It has heightened parental confidence and demand for dedicated Gaelic medium provision to consolidate and build on that achievement.  Parents were told that once pupil numbers in Tollcross exceeded 100, consideration would be given to a dedicated Gaelic school.  That was over a decade ago and numbers continue to grow.  The natural next step in the development of Gaelic medium education in the City of Edinburgh is agreement to the establishment of a Gaelic school at Bonnington.’