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If you are not receiving email updates about Comann nam Parant or issues that affect your children whilst attending the Gaelic Medium Unit at Tollcross Primary School, send us an email with your name, your child’s name and the class they are in.  You’ll be added to the parent database.

In June 2008, Edinburgh City Council was notified by Bòrd na Gàidhlig (the principal public body promoting and developing Gaelic) of its statutory requirements to produce a Gaelic Language Plan. The Council then produced a draft Plan which was launched to an audience of more than 100 people on 10 November 2009. The public consultation ran from November to January 2010.

In total 349 responses to the consultation were received which is an excellent response. A big thank you again to all parents/families and friends who responded. We wait with interest to see if the Council takes our views on board. The timetable now is as follows:

• 18 May – Children and Families Education Committee – Review of Options
• 8 June – Policy and Strategy Committee
• 11 June – Submission to Bòrd na Gàidhlig – if amendments approved

We are pleased to see a number of people involved in discussing the issues with the Council. Arthur Cormack, Chair of Bòrd na Gàidhlig, has met with Jenny Dawe, Leader of Edinburgh City Council. A representative from The Scottish Government was also present at that meeting. The discussion was very much focused on the development of Gaelic medium education in Edinburgh. A letter was written to Jenny Dawe following the meeting.

Arthur Cormack has also met with Alex Wallace, Headteacher at James Gillespies High School, regarding the development of Gaelic language subjects at secondary level. A letter was written to Alex Wallace following the meeting.

You can read both letters here:
letter from Arthur Cormack to Jenny Dawe
letter from Arthur Cormack to Alex Wallace

Interesting view from Arthur Cormack Bòrd na Gàidhlig Chair in the latest issue of Holyrood Magazine:

Where he recognises that there is sufficient demand to open new schools in Edinburgh, Barra and Stornoway, he is also hopeful that Edinburgh will deliver more for Gaelic Medium Education stating that too often these developments come as the result of the huge effort and organisation of parents. Cormack wants to see a legal right to Gaelic Medium Education for any parent who wishes it for their child stating:

“In some cases local authorities have actually asked the parents to almost write the business case and the sustainability and everything else for the school and really, that’s the local authority’s job. A lot of pressure is put on parents at the moment if they want Gaelic education, for them to come up with the plan that shows that the whole thing is sustainable. So I think a legal right would put the onus back on the local authority.”

But in these straitened financial times, can councils really be expected to invest in Gaelic education? Well, after the initial set-up costs and teacher training, Gaelic education becomes mainstream activity and sustainable and in any case, given the value of the language to Scotland’s culture, education and economy, the question for Cormack and our Councils/Parliament is not how can we afford to invest in Gaelic education but how can we afford not to?

To: gaeliclanguageplan@edinburgh.gov.uk

Dear Sir,
On The City of Edinburgh Council’s draft Gaelic plan, I/we believe:

• That it is excellent that the Council supports Gaelic and has a plan for Gaelic
• That the omission of substantial proposals for the key measure of Gaelic-medium education GME) is unacceptable, and the consultation in respect of this issue is not free and fair
• That GME parents must from now on be fully involved indecisions and plans that affect GME
• That in the plan the Council must undertake to seek appropriate, flexible funding solutions

That the following must additionally be included in the plan:

• Proper plans for substantial growth in GME, which address the growth projections in the 2009 feasibility study, and maintain the quality of GME
• A Gaelic school by the start of 2011/12 and no later
• Additional nursery and other pre-school provision
• Expansion of secondary provision to a level that will ensure adult fluency on leaving school
• Substantial support for Gaelic activities for families, children, young people and adults
• A community hub for Gaelic close to the school

Other comments I/we wish to make:

Name(s) Date
Contact Details:

AGENDA
9 November 2009
7-9 pm, Room 1, Tollcross Community Centre

7.00: Tea, coffee & cakes upon arrival.

7.10: WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION________________Martin Macintyre

7.15: COMANN NAM PARANT
• Who we are, what do we do (committee, groups)Ian Macdonald/Mairi Rogers
• How do we communicate (Blog, website, database…) ______Gail Mullard

7.30: GAELIC MEDIUM EDUCATION __________________Alasdair Cameron
• Past history of GME
• Present
• Future

7.45: PARENT COUNCIL and PTA_____________________Louise Kelly
7.50: CnP diary of events ______________________Mairi Rogers/Siobhan Campbell
(Christmas Party, Summer BBQ, fundraisers, social)

7.55: Saturday morning club and high school activities _____Ian Macdonald

8.00: Shinty and parking _____________________________Andy Murray
Transport ___________________________________ Rona Lawson

8.10: Gaelic language classes (ULPAN and others)______Rona Lawson

8.15: FEIS ________________________________________Penny Johnston

8.20: MOD (local)__________________________________ Fiona MacIntosh

8.25: GAELIC COMMUNITY ________________________Martin MacIntyre
(Bothan, Gaelic community conference …)

8.35: COUNCIL (Gaelic Development Officer) ___________Norma Martin
8.40: GAELIC LANGUAGE PLAN_______________Ian Macdonald/Norma Martin