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NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL

To: LEARNING AND LEISURE Subject: GAELIC PROVISION IN SERVl CES COMMITTEE LEARNING AND LEISURE SE RVIC ES From: HEAD OF EDUCATION QUALITY AND DEVELOPMETN

Date: 8 August 2012 I Ref: JUNR

PURPOSE OF REPORT

The report updates members of the current provision for Gaelic medium learning and culture in nursery, school and local communities.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The learning and leisure services committee is asked to note the report

Members wishing further information should contact:

Jane Liddell, Head of Education Quality and Development on 01236 812279

293 COUNCIL LEARNING AND LEISURE SERVICES

GAELIC PROVISION IN LEARNING AND LEISURE SERVICES

Report by Head of Education Quality and Development

1. Background

1.I At a meeting of the Education Committee in May 1997, approval was given to develop a Gaelic medium primary school in North Lanarkshire, in Primary School, . This school was chosen because of the number of children from the Cumbernauld area attending Gaelic provision out with North Lanarkshire. As a consequence of the success of the primary unit, and to enable progression, a secondary unit was opened in High School in August 2001.

1.2 In January 2003 the Scottish Executive issued guidance to local authorities inviting bids to further develop Gaelic medium pre school provision. This afforded the opportunity to develop Gaelic pre school provision for a maximum of 30 pupils in Condorrat to complement the primary provision. To further enhance Gaelic medium nursery provision Tollbrae Nursery was opened in 2003 to accommodate a maximum number of 20. Tollbrae was chosen because of the local interest and adult learning in the Airdrie area.

1.3 Alongside nursery and school provision there continued to be a rich and diverse range of adult learning opportunities.

2. Current Gaelic Medium Provision 201 1-2012

2.1 Condorrat Nursery 17 pupils (capacity 30)

Condorrat Primary 147 pupils

Tollbrae Nursery 12 pupils (capacity 20)

Greenfaulds High 51 pupils

Total 227

2.2 The breakdown of pupils at each stage of Gaelic medium provision for session 201 1 to 2012 is outlined in tables 1 and 2.

294 Table 1 June 2012 Table 2 June 2012 CONDORRAT PRIMARY I GREENFAULDSHIGH I I Primary I I 24 I I SI I 12 I I Primary2 I 23 I I s2 I 11 I I Primary3 I 30 I I s3 I 16 I I Primary4 I 19 I I s4 151 I Primary5 I 21 I I s5 151 Primary 6 Primary 7 Total Total 147 l----FiI I I 2.3 The predicted figures for Gaelic medium provision for session 2012-13:

Condorrat Nursery 19 Condorrat Primary 155 Tollbrae Nursery 13 Greenfaulds High 55

Total 242

2.4 In secondary provision Gaelic language is studied to Advanced Higher level. French, history, geography, art and science are taught through the medium of Gaelic.

2.5 As well as Gaelic Medium Education provision outlined in para 2.1, on an annual basis primary staff are trained in Gaelic Learning across schools in North Lanarkshire. Currently 19 teachers, from 13 schools have completed Gaelic Language Primary School Qualifications giving children the opportunity to learn Gaelic. The schools are listed as follows:-

All Saints Primary School, Airdrie Cathedral Primary School, Motherwell Chapelgreen Primary School, Queenzieburn, Kilsyth Condorrat Primary School, Cumbernauld Cumbernauld Primary School, Cumbernauld Glenboig Primary School, Glenboig, Coatbridge Kirk 0’ Shotts Primary School, Kirk 0’ Shotts Kirkshaws Primary School, Coatbridge Langloan Primary School, Coatbridge Muirhouse Primary School, Motherwell Shawhead Primary School, Coatbridge Tollbrae Primary school, Airdrie Primary School, Cumbernauld

2.6 This enables pupils to experience Gaelic language learning alongside learning a modern European language in the latter stages of primary school. It also offers the opportunity to attend Gaelic secondary provision at

295 3. TRANSITIONS

3.1 The numbers and percentage of Gaelic medium pupils transferring from nursery to primary and secondary is:

I FROM I TO I I Condorrat Nursery I 17 pupils I 100% I Condorrat Primary I I Tollbrae Nursery I 12 pupils I 50% I Condorrat I 1 Condorrat Primary I 17 pupils I 100% I Greenfaulds High I

4. The Gaelic Film School

4.1 In August 201 1, a Gaelic Film School was established in Greenfaulds High School as an extension to the Lensheads Film School delivered by the Learning Centre, Bellshill. In December 201 1 the new film making group submitted their film Ceum air ais agus air adharf (A step back a step forward) to Film G, the National Gaelic Film Awards. In March 2012, the film won the Best Film award in the competition, an outstanding achievement in the first year of film making.

5. Adult Gaelic Learning in the Community

5.1 Community learning and development provide a range of Gaelic learning opportunities across the council area.

(i) Croileagan -The playgroup, based in Airdrie, celebrated its 22"d year in existence. Fourteen children attended regularly. (ii) Sradagan -Two youth groups, based in Cumbernauld and Coatbridge. (iii) Cearcall Family Learning Group is a pan-North Lanarkshire group, based in Coatbridge. (iv) Gaelic language classes are held for adults in Cumbernauld, Coatbridge, Motherwell and Airdrie at SQA Access. 3 and Intermediate 1 level, with 85 adults attending. (v) Three Ulpan groups provide Gaelic language learning for 30 adults.

6. Cultural Activities

6.1 An annual Feis is held in Cumbernauld during the first week of August, with 60 children attending workshops that include clarsach, bhodran, dancing, singing, crafts, fiddle, piping and drama.

6.2 A Gaelic language play scheme for under 12s took place in October 201 1, with 30 children and 10 adult volunteers participating

6.3 Four shinty groups participate in local leagues and attend shinty festivalskompetitions in Inverness.

6.4 Orain Luaidh, a walking group, operates in Cumbernauld.

6.6 Gaelic Initiative Awards are held annually, with all GME-based groups receiving recognition for promoting Gaelic language and culture throughout North Lanarkshire.

296 6.7 In partnership with the National Gaelic CLD Review Group, initiatives include the Family Learning Week at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Skye and a residential learners weekend at Newbattle Abbey.

7. Training and Development in CLD

7.1 Tutor Training in Language Targets, SQA procedures and use of 1.T and other resources were in place during last year and were attended by all five tutors.

8. North Lanarkshire Gaelic Language Plan

8.1 In November 2010 North Lanarkshire Council received notification from Bord na Gaidhlig to prepare a Gaelic Language Plan under Section 3 of the Gaelic Language () Act 2005.

8.2 The draft plan was published for consultation in September 201 1. Following the six week period of consultation from 9 September to 21 October 201 1 the draft plan was submitted to Bord na Gaelic for consideration and received full approval on 1gth June 2012.

8.3 The draft plan was submitted to and approved by the Policy and Resources Committee of the council on 26thJune 2012.

8.4 The Gaelic Language Plan sets out a range of core commitments that afford equal status to Gaelic as English Language and aspects of the plan apply across council services.

8.5 The plan will be monitored by a corporate group chaired by the Head of Education Quality and Development.

8.6 The plan is being included on the North Lanarkshire Council website and will be launched in September 2012. Thereafter hard copies will be placed in the members' library.

9. FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM BORD NA GAlDHLlG

9.1 Each year grant funding from Bord na Gaidhlig is provided to support Gaelic language and cultural activities.

9.2 The grant is allocated from the Bord as follows:

f Gaelic Specific Grant (schools) - govt 285,000 Gaelic Language Development (parents) govt 16,000 Gaelic Signage - govt 5,000 LA Contribution 95,000 Total 401,000

297 9.3 Two additional bids have been successful to support Gaelic developments for 2012-1 3:

f (i) the Gaelic Film School (govt) 16,000 NLC match funding 4,000 (ii) Gaelic Language Interactive (govt) 16,000 Traditional Tales CD ROMs NLC match funding 4,000

9.4 It will be the intention of the service to enter two films into the national Gaelic Film Awards, Film G, for 2012-13.

10. RECOMMENDATIONS

The learning and leisure services committee is asked to note the report.

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