Glasgow to open fourth Gaelic language school amid £2m investment
According to Census figures published last year, there has been a 45% increase in the number of people with some Gaelic skills in Glasgow when compared with 2011
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Glasgow is set to open a new Gaelic primary school next year after a £2m investment from the Scottish government, making it the city’s fourth Gaelic language primary.
The funding will complete the refurbishment and extension of the former St James’ Primary School building to establish Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a’ Challtainn (Calton Gaelic Primary School).
The new school, which is expected to have space for 416 pupils, will be managed by Glasgow City Council and will meet a growing demand for Gaelic primary education in the city.
According to Census figures published last year, there has been a 45% increase in the number of people with some Gaelic skills in Glasgow when compared with 2011.
Deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for economy and Gaelic, Kate Forbes, first announced the investment as part of a £2.4m package to support Gaelic schools and cultural initiatives across Scotland.
In addition to the new school, the funding will support the construction of a second classroom at West Primary School in Paisley; the expansion of two Gaelic cultural centres in the Highlands; and cultural events through An Comunn Gàidhealach, who will host this year’s Royal National Mòd in Lochaber.
Forbes said: “Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a’ Challtainn will build on the encouraging surge we have seen in the number of Gaelic speakers and learners in Glasgow and support the language’s growth into the future.
“Gaelic medium education enriches communities and offers good value for money by providing better grade averages across all qualification levels despite costs being no greater than average.”
She added: “To support Gaelic’s growth across Scotland, we are providing an additional £5.7m for Gaelic initiatives this year. We are also progressing the Scottish Languages Bill which, if passed by MSPs, will introduce measures to strengthen the provision of Gaelic education.”
Alison Richardson, headteacher of Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a’ Challtainn, said: “With Gaelic medium education continuing to flourish in Glasgow, our pupils and parents are excited and proud to be moving Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a’ Challtainn into its very own repurposed school located in the East End.
“We look forward to supporting Gaelic’s growth in the Calton area, where many spoke it in the past, and for the school to become a real focal point and asset to the local community.”