Family Learning Week 2023

Family Learning Week | Seachdain nan Teaghlach

***** Please note that the deadline for submitting applications has been extended to Friday, 28 April 2023. Note that filling in the booking form does not guarantee your family a place. You will be contacted early May with further details and to let you know if you have been successful or not. *****

We are pleased to announce Seachdain nan Teaghlach (Family Learning Week) will be returning to the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig campus on the Isle of Skye 10–14 July 2023, for the first-year post-pandemic – 19 years since the first event of its kind in 2004, and in Sabhal Mòr Ostaig’s 50th anniversary celebratory year.

This is a week-long event which offers families with children in Gaelic-medium education the opportunity to develop their language skills together in an all-Gaelic environment and to mix with families from a similar background from different parts of the country. Parents will have the opportunity to attend the College’s language courses throughout the week while their children take part in a wide range of Gaelic-medium activities, bringing families together in the evenings via a mix of family-friendly Gaelic-medium social events.

As in previous years, the bulk of the costs of the week are met by the invaluable funding support provided by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, and by the organisers at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig and Highland Council. There are a variety of accommodation options at varying costs, and the remaining fees to be paid by parents have been frozen at 2019 prices. See below for further details.

PARENTS

Language Courses (£140 per person)

Language courses will take place on campus at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig at a variety of levels, appropriate to the language skills of participants. When applying, you should indicate the course level appropriate to each adult taking part and indicate any learning pathways you have been following and relevant levels which you will have reached prior to this event. See here for guidance regarding course levels and equivalents.

Language course fees are set at half price for Seachdain nan Teaghlach, made possible by the funding support provided by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, in addition to subsidy and in-kind support from Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.

CHILDREN

Preschool Aged Children: Fàs Mòr (No charge)

Children not yet at school will attend Fàs Mòr, an independent Gaelic-medium childcare provider situated close to the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig campus.

Primary School Aged Children: Play-scheme (£30 per child)

Those children who already attend a Gaelic-medium primary school will take part in a play-scheme, which offers a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities such as sport, drama, arts, and crafts during the week.

Costs for provision of child-care facilities and play-scheme activities represent a major element of the event’s costs, but we are pleased to be able to offer these facilities at a heavily subsidised rate, with financial support from Bòrd na Gàidhlig and the Highland Council.

You must indicate, on the application form, the name and date of birth of each child participating, together with the name of the school or nursery which they attend (where appropriate).

Unfortunately we do not have the facilities to accommodate secondary school aged children as part of Seachdain nan Teaghlach this year, but other young family members may be interested in the Under 21s Piping and Drumming Course which will be taking place on campus at the same time.

Accommodation

The below options are available. Please indicate your preferred accommodation in the booking form and we will do our best to accommodate.

Make your own arrangements

A list of accommodation in the local area is available for those wishing to make their own arrangements – please get in touch for further information.

Camping (tent or caravan)

Families may camp within the College grounds without charge, but please note that Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is not an official campsite, therefore space available on campus for camping is limited, as are facilities. An information sheet outlining the arrangements for campers will be issued where appropriate.

Families who camp may use the College’s catering service for meals.

College Accommodation

Most families stay in accommodation on Sabhal Mòr Ostaig’s campus, which is primarily made up of twin and single rooms. We will do our best to accommodate families’ preferences as outlined via the booking form and to keep family members in rooms close together, but this cannot be guaranteed.

Indicative costs for College accommodation are given below. The exact cost will be determined by the mix of accommodation which we are able to provide each family – the allocation of which can only be done after families have had their participation in the event confirmed.

Single Room for 5 nights:

• 1 adult – £187

Twin Room for 5 nights:

• 2 adults – £302
• 1 adult + 1 child – £272

If you wish to bring a cot for the use of an infant, you should indicate this in the appropriate section. This will enable accommodation to be allocated appropriate to your needs, subject to availability. The college has a very small number of cots available to loan. Please get in touch if you wish to borrow one for the week but note that you will have to bring your own bedding.

All rooms are en-suite and have tea/coffee-making facilities. Prices include a full breakfast and other meals may be bought in the canteen or Café IIN on a pay as you go basis. Some of the accommodation blocks have common rooms which contain a kettle, fridge, and microwave for students’ use.

In cases of hardship, families may wish to approach their school or local authority education department to establish if financial support could be made available.

Parental Responsibilities

The event staff will provide formal supervision of children during their time at Fàs Mòr and at the Play-scheme. Parents will be responsible for the supervision of their children at all other times.

All children under 16 staying overnight on campus (including camping) must be accompanied by a named adult.