PLANS are in place for an immersive Gaelic education experience to be housed at a Paisley school.
Requests for Gaelic Medium Primary Education (GMPE) have been made on behalf of several children in Renfrewshire due to start at West Primary School in August.
The council doesn’t currently offer GMPE but instead provides transport for 33 children and young people to access provision in Glasgow and Inverclyde.
However, following interest from six parents, the local authority has confirmed it will begin delivering GMPE in the next school term.
A report to Thursday’s Education and Children’s Services Policy Board says: “Throughout the process parents have been involved and there have been indications, in the form of meetings and telephone calls from parents, that demand for places will increase over time.
“Currently, there are six parents interested in placing their child(ren) in Renfrewshire Council and the provision will grow from Primary 1 stage.”
The principle behind the programme is “total Gaelic immersion”, with only that language spoken.
The document adds that it is not possible to have entry points for older children, unless they have been in Gaelic immersion education previously.
It explains that West Primary School was chosen because of its location in Renfrewshire.
The report adds: “As the catchment area for GMPE will be the whole authority, West Primary School in Paisley has been selected as it has the capacity to house the unit and is centrally placed with good access and transport links.
“The leadership team in the school is enthusiastic about this opportunity.”
Recruitment is planned for a fluent Gaelic-speaking principal teacher to develop the unit, supported by the leadership team.
Proposals to recruit additional staff are being developed, while external funding through Bòrd na Gàidhlig – an executive non-departmental public body of the Scottish Government – is being targeted.
