The Education (Scotland) Act 2016 has provisions for Gaelic. These are to ensure that education authorities assess the need for establishing Gaelic Medium Primary Education. The parent of a child who has not yet started school may request that their local education authority assesses the need for Gaelic Medium Education. More information is available on the Scottish Government website.

An important feature of this Act is that it puts in place a timely, statutory process for education authorities to follow on receipt of a parental request. HM Inspectors of Schools are involved in the statutory process and produce an independent and impartial report on the determination to set up a Gaelic Medium provision. These reports are available here:

Glasgow City Council Report - Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (PDF 509 KB)

Glasgow City Council Report - Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (Gaelic version) (PDF 502 KB)

East Renfrewshire Council Report - Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (PDF 513 KB)

East Renfrewshire Council Report - Education (Scotland) Act 2016 (Gaelic version) (PDF 511 KB)

HM Inspectors would appreciate early notice of an education authority’s intention to undertake a full assessment of the need for Gaelic Medium Primary Education. Please contact the HMI Lead for the Gaelic sector  as soon as possible.

Education authorities can, as happens just now, decide to set up Gaelic Medium Education at any time without following the statutory process.

Public and education authorities also have two duties in the Education (Scotland) Act 2016 to assist with strategic planning for improvement. These are:

• actively promote Gaelic Medium and Learner Education
• support Gaelic Medium and Learner Education where it is provided