Renfrewshire Council

Where primary school children in Renfrewshire can go to Gaelic school

Children in P1, P2 and P3

If your child lives in Renfrewshire and is starting primary class 1, 2 or 3 in August 2022, you can enrol them for Gaelic school at West Primary. 

All classes, learning and assessments are in Gaelic.

If they go to another Gaelic school outside of Renfrewshire, they are now expected to attend  the Gaelic school at West Primary.

Contact the school directly about enrolling your child or children there. You can email Lynne McGinn, Head Teacher, at westenquiries@renfrewshire.gov.uk or call 0300 300 0177.

Children in P4, P5, P6 ands P7

At the moment, we are not enrolling pupils in P4, P5, P6 and P7 for Gaelic school at West Primary. 

If they already attend a Gaelic school outside of Renfrewshire, they will continue to go there as normal. 

You can only enrol them at a Gaelic school if they are already fluent in speaking and writing Gaelic for their age.

They will learn, speak, and write in Gaelic as the primary language for all their subjects, including learning English.

Before they start Gaelic school at West Primary

The headteacher and senior leadership team will contact you about attending an induction and events to support the transition. This includes visiting West Primary School to meet the staff, see the classrooms and facilities and ask any questions you may have. 

If your child is currently at nursery, the school will also speak with their nursery to discuss transition support.

If your child has additional support needs or requires any kind of additional help with their transition, contact the headteacher of West Primary in the first instance at westenquiries@renfrewshire.gov.uk or call 0300 300 0177.

Attending Gaelic school at West Primary

School transport

West Primary School is in Newton Street, Paisley, PA1 2RL.

We will only provide school transport for children in P1, P2 or P3 if they are going to:

• the Gaelic school at West Primary and live more than a mile away from the school.
• a Gaelic primary class in a neighbouring council area because they have an older sibling going to that school.

If your child is in P4, P5, P6 or P7, we will continue to take them to Gaelic school if it's in a neighbouring council area.

See who can get home to school transport.

School uniform

The school uniform for all pupils at West Primary school is:

• royal blue blazer            
• grey trousers, skirt, or pinafore        
• white, blue, or grey shirt        
• school tie                
• grey jumper or cardigan
• blue fleece
• blue polo shirt
• grey or white socks.

You may be able to apply for a clothing grant towards shoes and uniforms, if you are a parent or carer in receipt of particular benefits.

Class sizes

Initially, pupils in P1, P2 and P3 will learn in the same classroom.

When the number of pupils at the school increases, we will streamline the learning environment into individual classes. 

Supporting your child's education in Gaelic

If your child is learning in Gaelic, they do not need to speak Gaelic at home. 

However, encouraging your child to speak, read and write in Gaelic outside of school will help them to develop their language skills and fluency.

They will also benefit from immersive learning in Gaelic as it:

• is easier for them to become fluent in Gaelic the earlier they start learning it
• helps them learn other languages
• improves their cognitive development by speaking more than one language
• gives them more knowledge and appreciation of Scottish culture.

More information

If you'd like more information about Gaelic school at West Primary, contact the school directly at westenquiries@renfrewshire.gov.uk or call 0300 300 0177.

If you have a general enquiry about Gaelic education, email our education team at education@renfrewshire.gov.uk.