Bishopbriggs Academy has been using shinty to support the creation of a permeating Gaelic-positive ethos that is conducive to learning Gaelic. Staff, young people and the wider community all contribute to supporting the traditional Scottish sport within the school in a way that supports the usage of Gaelic.

Shinty provides children and young people who speak and use Gaelic with a range of purposes such as regular training, planning, running and attending Gaelic-medium competitions. These immersion opportunities support them in the development of their learning across the curriculum for Gaelic Medium Education. It provides an important opportunity to develop fluency, confidence and ability with social language within a sporting context for children and young people. Pupils and former pupils talk about how shinty makes Gaelic fun and the importance of bringing young Gaelic speakers together through sport.

Shinty is an important part of Gaelic culture and heritage, and learners in English Medium Education are given the opportunity to learn about both shinty and Gaelic language in the school. This exposure to Gaelic language through shinty has increased uptake of Gaelic Learner Education. It has also fostered a positive and inclusive attitude to the Gaelic language and to those who speak it and learn it.

The school uses partnerships with the Camanachd Association (shinty’s governing body), Seachdain na Gàidhlig (World Gaelic Week), Iomain Cholmcille (the Gaelic shinty project) and local shinty clubs Glasgow Mid-Argyll and Strathkelvin to support the delivery of the curriculum through shinty. Pupils and former pupils have been able to follow competitive representative pathways, including playing for Alba, the Scottish Gaelic national team.

Improvement questions

• How is my setting ensuring that all staff, young people and parents make a meaningful contribution to a permeating Gaelic-positive ethos that is conducive to learning Gaelic?
• Do all members of my school’s community have a positive and inclusive attitude to the Gaelic language and to those who speak it and are learning the language? How do I know?
• When my setting has Gaelic and English Medium provision together in the one school, what steps are taken to give all children the opportunity to learn about Gaelic language, culture and heritage as part of Scotland’s identity?
• How are immersion opportunities planned for and provided to encourage children and young people to speak and use Gaelic for a range of purposes in the development of their learning across the curriculum?