Category: Education

Public Consultation: Updates to Statutory Guidance on Gaelic Education

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Bòrd na Gàidhlig is proposing to update the Statutory Guidance on Gaelic Education and is seeking feedback on this draft before it is officially published and adopted.

The consultation will allow Bòrd na Gàidhlig to collect the views of stakeholders on the refreshed Statutory Guidance on Gaelic education.

This Guidance is subject to change following the enactment of the following Bills currently being looked at by the Scottish Parliament:

What is the Statutory Guidance on Education?

The Statutory Guidance on Gaelic Education is issued by Bòrd na Gàidhlig under Section 9 of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 and consists of two parts. Part 1 provides guidance specifically relating to the Education (Scotland) Act 2016 and its provisions for the Gaelic medium primary education (GMPE) request process and the duty placed on education authorities to promote and support Gaelic education. Part 2 provides further guidance relating to the provision of Gaelic education in schools.

This consultation relates to Part 2 only.

What is the purpose of the review?

The review aims to strengthen the existing Guidance, providing explanations of the different elements that constitute Gaelic education in Scotland and guidance to establish a consistent approach to delivery. It is also necessary to ensure the Guidance remains relevant and fit for purpose and its content is comprehensive and clear to all stakeholders. An education target in the National Gaelic Language Plan 2023-28 is “Statutory Guidance on Gaelic Education will be reviewed and then promoted widely within Scottish education to ensure adherence to its principles by all those involved in GME.”

Pre consultation engagement

Bòrd na Gàidhlig established a National Focus Group on the Statutory Guidance for Gaelic Education and a meeting was held in December 2022 to consider the key themes arising. A Summary table was compiled listing the various issues and recommendations identified from the focus groups and was circulated to representatives from Education Scotland, the Scottish Government, Comann nan Pàrant and Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu for further consideration.

Documents relating to this consultation;

  1. Current version of the Statutory Guidance on Gaelic Education in full
  2. Proposed new version of the Statutory Guidance
  3. Proposed new version of the Statutory Guidance with Tracked Changes

We have developed a survey to gather views on the proposed updates, which can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

After the consultation

Once the feedback has been collated and views considered, we will finalise the draft guidance document which will then be submitted to Scottish Ministers for their approval.

We aim to publish our response including a summary report of responses received in May 2025. Once the guidance is approved, Bòrd na Gàidhlig will publish the new guidance document on our website.

 

The consultation will remain open until 5pm on Monday 21st April 2025.

Submit a response through Jotform here or by filling in the form below.

The questions can be downloaded in a Microsoft Word format here, should that be required.

Please email oifis@gaidhlig.scot if you have any questions about the information on this page or about the consultation.

GME Information Session

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Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Comunn nam Pàrant have arranged an online information session where you can learn about Gaelic Medium Education (GME) from practitioners who deliver the curriculum each day.

This session is aimed at families who are considering GME for their child(ren) and want to learn more about the options available to them, although the session will be open to anyone with an interest in learning more about GME. There will be Information on GME at all levels and it will be a great opportunity to hear from people working in various roles across different Local Authorities and to ask them any questions you may have.

The meeting will be hosted on Microsoft Teams, but you do not need an account to join us.

You can find more information and register for the session on Eventbrite here.

Consultation Response: Education (Scotland) Bill – Detailed call for views

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Bòrd na Gàidhlig has submitted a response to the Scottish Government‘s public consultation on the Education (Scotland) Bill –Detailed call for views. Amongst the points raised, we said:

“Bòrd na Gàidhlig welcome the creation of Learner, Teacher and Practitioner Charters along with the requirement to consult in their preparation. This should include representatives from Gaelic-medium education to provide a voice for those who use and deliver qualifications and a mechanism for providing and receiving feedback. The Charters will be crucial for both strategy and operation in Qualifications Scotland, and it is crucial that these demonstrate equity for those involved in GME and be presented bilingually. The principle of active offer in the provision of public services is established best practice for minority languages.”

The full response can be read here.

Research on Gaelic Early Years Provision (0-3)

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Today Bòrd na Gàidhlig published a report on the research we commissioned looking at Gaelic early years provision (0-3) in Scotland.

The research was conducted by Professor Wilson McLeod and identifies a wide range of issues that effect early years (EY) provision. Professor McLeod also makes a number of suggestions for possible improvements in the EY sector in the report, including the prospects for addressing issues around Gaelic EY provision through the Scottish languages Bill.

Jennifer McHarrie, Director of Education, Bòrd na Gàidhlig, said:

“Bòrd na Gàidhlig welcomes this research which was commissioned to assess the current levels of Gaelic early years provision across Scotland. This report contains recommendations for changes that can be made by a number of organisations who are active in this sector to create more complete and effective provision.

“We look forward to continuing to work with our partners to support growth in Gaelic, particularly at the early years level. The earlier a child hears and engages with the language, the more likely they are to develop a lifelong interest and become more proficient.

The full report is available to read here.

Gaelic Education Grants Scheme Opens to Applications

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Bòrd na Gàidhlig are happy to announce that the Gaelic Education Grants scheme has opened to applications this week.

This funding scheme was set up to support those currently working towards a career in Gaelic teaching or Gaelic-medium teachers looking to develop their professional skills.

Support for course fees is available for all taking an eligible course, as long as they are not eligible for SAAS support, as well as support for living expenses.

Who can apply?

  • Students undertaking a PGDE in Gaelic Education (both Primary and Secondary – Gaelic as a subject and subjects through the medium of Gaelic)
  • Students undertaking a Gaelic early years or Gaelic childcare course
  • Students undertaking a Gaelic Education Undergraduate Degree, (BA, MA Education or MA Gàidhlig with Education)
  • Teachers that are employed in a role relating to Gaelic-medium education that wish to undertake a course to develop their skills or
  • Qualified teachers looking to develop their skills to move into Gaelic-medium education.

The scheme will close at 3pm on Tuesday 3 September and all applications must be submitted before the deadline.

You can find more information about the scheme and how to apply here.

Gaelic Early Years Grants Scheme Opens to Applications!

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Bòrd na Gàidhlig have launched the 2024/25 Gaelic Early Years Scheme, with funding provided for early years groups across Scotland to deliver Gaelic sessions.

The scheme is open to all voluntary and third-sector groups, with support up to £5,000 available for groups that meet weekly, and up to £15,000 available to groups that meet more regularly.

This year’s scheme would specifically like to support groups that can show how they will achieve the following outcomes:

  • Ensuring that children and families have sustained access to Gaelic early years provision
  • Increasing the number of children continuing with Gaelic-medium learning at key transition stages
  • Helping more families in Scotland become aware of the benefits of bilingualism and the opportunities offered by Gaelic-medium education
  • Helping parents become better informed on resources and opportunities to support and interact with their children through Gaelic in homes and communities

Two information sessions will be delivered to provide you with an opportunity to learn more about the scheme, get support with filling out application forms, and to ask any questions you may have. You can find more information about the sessions and register to attend on Eventbrite.

The Scheme Guidance and further information is available here.

Consultation Response: Draft Guidance and General Determination for Teacher Qualification in Further Education

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Bòrd na Gàidhlig has submitted a response to the Scottish Government‘s public consultation on the Draft Guidance and General Determination for Teacher Qualification in Further Education. Amongst the points raised, we said:

“A range of Further Education courses either through the medium of Gaelic or with content relating to Gaelic are currently provided by UHI and Kelvin College, for example. As GME expands across the country and new programmes are created, it will be important to ensure that the Guidance is sufficiently inclusive of both Gaelic and English delivery to be applicable across the entire TQFE course spectrum.”

The full response is available to read here.

Consultation Response: Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill

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Bòrd na Gàidhlig has submitted a response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill. Amongst the points raised, we said:

“It is crucial that all proposals relating to education are fully consistent with the provision of education in Scotland being delivered in two languages, either through the medium of Gaelic or through the medium of English. In relation to additional support needs and the specific needs of neurodivergent children and young people there are a range of specific issues relating to immersion education and bilingualism which should always be referenced across all proposals. Bòrd na Gàidhlig and other organisations such as Stòrlann and Education Scotland can provide input to support inclusion of both Gaelic Medium and English Medium (EME) provision.

Bòrd na Gàidhlig firmly supports the visionary nature of the Consultation Document and the statement on p23: “everyone providing support or services, such as healthcare, education and care, … are clear about their duties under the Bill and who this applies to”.”

The full response can be read here.

Training Session for Probationary Teachers

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Bòrd na Gàidhlig are running training sessions for Gaelic probationery Teachers this year!

There will be 4 sessions running and the first one will run on Wednesday, 28.02.24 from 4:15pm to 5:15pm on Microsoft Teams. You don’t need to have a Teams account to attend the session.

We are going to be focusing on Stòrlann and are very happy that Stòrlann staff will be joining us to talk about the resources the have at both primary school and high school level.

You are most welcome to join us to talk and listen and it will be a great opportunity for probationers to network with other new teachers accross Scotland.

The dates for the two remaining sessions are still to be confirmed, but they will each have a diffrent focus. You do not need to have attended the first session to attend this session or the remaining two sessions.

If you would like more information, you can contact Sian Baldwin, Development Officer (Teachers), at sian@gaidhlig.scot.

You can register for the session on Eventbrite.

Immersion Course Grants for Education Practitioners

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The Gaelic Immersion Courses for Education Workers funding scheme is now open to applications for 2024/25!

This fund was set up to support local authorities to provide Gaelic immersion opportunities for Teachers & Early Learning & Childcare (ELC) practitioners with a view to teaching through the medium of Gaelic upon completing the course.  There is up to £50,000 available per teacher, with a total budget of £150,000 available to the scheme.

Working in partnership with Universities who are already delivering Gaelic Immersion courses, Bòrd na Gàidhlig are inviting Local Authorities to nominate prospective candidates who would be willing to undertake a yearlong Gaelic immersion course to enable them to transfer to GME in August 2025. The courses on offer are: An Cùrsa Comais available via Sabhal Mòr Ostaig or UHI Outer Hebrides and Gaelic with Immersion available via The University of Glasgow.

Local Authorities will be able to apply to Bòrd na Gàidhlig for the costs of supply cover for any candidates who successfully receive a place on a Gaelic Immersion course. As part of the application process, Local Authorities will be required to provide confirmation of where candidates would be employed on completion of the immersion course in August 2025.

We would be grateful if you could establish whether there is demand amongst your current workforce and send any expressions of interest to: ann@gaidhlig.scot at the earliest opportunity.

Two online information sessions for prospective candidates will be held on Wenesday, 07.02.24. Teachers, ELC practitioners and local authority staff can register through Eventbrite to learn more about the scheme and ask any questions you may have.

Funding applications should be submitted to Bòrd na Gàidhlig as soon as possible, with applications closing on 26 March 2024.

You can find more information about the scheme here.

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