What it is
Gaelic Medium Education (GME) is where pupils are taught mainly through Gaelic language at primary school, with English being taught as a second language.
In Gaelic Medium Education at primary school, all classes, learning, and assessments (curriculum) will be taught entirely in Gaelic from Primary 1 to 3.
English language skills are brought in more from Primary 4 to 7, but Gaelic is still the main language of teaching for every subject and every part of the curriculum.
Since August 2022, we have offered Gaelic Medium Education to primary aged pupils in Renfrewshire.
Parents and carers can register their child for Gaelic Medium Education at West Primary School, Paisley.
Find out more about Gaelic Medium Education at primary school in Scotland (gaidhlig.scot).
Who can register for Gaelic school
Your child can only begin Gaelic Medium Education at West Primary School when they start Primary 1 (P1).
West Primary cannot accept children transferring in older classes unless they previously went to a Gaelic school elsewhere.
How to register your child for Gaelic school
Children starting primary school
If you live in Renfrewshire and your child is due to start Primary 1 (P1) at school in August, you can register your child for Gaelic Medium Education at West Primary School.
You can do this online during the registration period.
Find out more about registering your child for Primary 1 (P1) at school. (LINK)
If you’re moving to Renfrewshire
If you’re moving to Renfrewshire and your child is already receiving Gaelic Medium Education at school in another council area, you should contact West Primary School to discuss transferring your child to the school.
You can contact the headteacher of West Primary School by:
After you’ve registered for Gaelic school
West Primary School will contact you to attend an induction and events to support your child’s transition to Gaelic Medium Education.
This includes visiting West Primary School to meet the staff, see the classrooms and facilities, and a chance to ask any questions you or your child 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 (ASN) or requires any kind of additional help with their transition, you should contact the headteacher of West Primary by:
School transport
If your child is attending Gaelic Medium Education at West Primary School, we’ll provide transport if they live more than 1 mile away from the school.
See who can get home to school transport.
Gaelic Medium Education at secondary school
Gaelic Medium Education is currently not provided at secondary school in Renfrewshire.
If your child attends West Primary School and wants to continue Gaelic Medium Education at secondary school, you’ll need to apply for a place at a neighbouring council school that provides this.
This is called a placing request. You’ll need to submit the placing request to the neighbouring council.
If the placing request has been accepted, we’ll arrange and fund transport to the neighbouring council school.
If your child does not want to continue Gaelic Medium Education at secondary school, you can request for them to go to the secondary school in their catchment area in Renfrewshire.
How to support your child's Gaelic education
If your child is having Gaelic Medium Education at West Primary School, 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’ll also benefit from immersive learning in Gaelic in the classroom 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.
For help finding opportunities to further yours or your child’s Gaelic skills outside of school, email cssupport@renfrewshire.gov.uk.
More information
If you'd like more information about Gaelic Medium Education at West Primary, contact the school directly by:
If you have a general enquiry about Gaelic Medium Education, email education@renfrewshire.gov.uk to speak to our education support team.