Children are immersed in Gaelic from the outset and in time they will receive an education as good as any in Scotland, and will become fluent and fully literate in at least two languages, Gaelic and English. One startling fact, which is often overlooked, is that studies have shown that young Gaelic scholars frequently outperform their counterparts in English-medium education when it comes to English language skills. You do not need to be a Gaelic speaker in order to send your child to GME: their Gaelic education will give them all the practice and fluency in the language they require.

Gaelic Medium Education is attracting pupils from increasingly diverse backgrounds, with some of the biggest GME success stories being city schools where pupils from all parts of those cities attend the schools. If you want your child to be part of one of the great success stories of Scotland’s education, find out more about GME, and look to the future.

Proof Positive

Gwen Culberston, Head Teacher of Sleat Primary School

“I and my sisters were brought up in a bilingual home. I have undertaken Gaelic Medium Education every step of the way from pre-school education right up to a honours degree taught through Gaelic. Being bilingual means I have two choices when it comes to so many things. My education gave me a full understanding of my culture and heritage, something I would not have been given if I had not been educated through Gaelic.

“As one of the first pupils to come through Gaelic Medium Education and then go on to teach Gaelic Medium and I am now a head teacher of a Gaelic Medium School – I have very different opinions now on what we have today and what the future holds. The situation is very different from what it was say 20 years ago, with regard to resources. We have Stòrlann (the organisation tasked with providing resources for Gaelic education), courses for parents and school employees, support for parents and so on. There have been tremendous advances in a short space of time, and I am certain that these improvements will continue to gather pace.

“Gaelic Medium Education is a fantastic opportunity for any child. However, many people are still worried that they will not be able to help their child with homework. They can with support. Stòrlann has done a great deal of work in this area, with ‘live’ and recorded resources available, and in a school such as ours, we have a homework club, and in some other schools parents and children come together in the afternoon after school to help each other with homework. One thing that never fails to amaze me, is the speed with which children pick up the language, and it is equally amazing how fluent they are in English long before they reach primary 7. They also show tremendous abilities to learn other languages.

“Bilingual education can provide you with a wealth of linguistic and cultural riches, and this is especially true of Gaelic with its rich heritage and history. And as someone who is a product of Gaelic Medium Education, I would say that it can only benefit any pupil who chooses to learn through Gaelic.”