If your child is under the age of five, you have a right to request Gaelic Medium Education (GME) from the education authority in which your child resides.
GME can be offered to children regardless of whether the family speak the language.
It provides all the benefits of bilingualism, including:
- improved communication
- cultural, cognitive and employment advantages
Whitehirst Park Primary School in Kilwinning is the base for our Gaelic provision. It started in August 2020 with a Primary 1/2 class.
How to apply
If your child will begin Primary 1 in August, you should register in your catchment school and submit a school placing request.
The closing date for submitting the placing request is 15 March each year. You will then be informed in writing whether you have been successful by 30 April.
Curriculum
GME pupils will leave Whitehirst Park Primary School with the advantage of having become proficient in both Gaelic and English.
During the first three years of primary school, children have ‘total immersion’ in Gaelic. This means that the entire curriculum is taught in Gaelic.
English is gradually introduced after Primary 3, but Gaelic will still remain the main language of the classroom. This ensures that each pupil is able to acquire essential language skills in both languages.
Further information
The Whitehirst Park Primary School website contains useful information, including external links to Gaelic resources, along with contact details if you have any questions.