Gaelic education catchment consultation
PLANS to establish a Gaelic education catchment area for Inverclyde are being put out to public consultation.
Inverclyde Council is seeking views from all interested parties on the proposal, which would end the requirement for placing requests.
Gaelic medium education at primary level is currently offered at Whinhill Primary in Greenock but parents need to apply for a place for their children.
The new proposal is to create a catchment area that covers the whole of the Inverclyde Council area for Gaelic primary provision in Whinhill to end the requirement for placing requests.
It would also mean that every pupil who chooses Gaelic medium education for primary school who lives within the Inverclyde boundary but further than a mile from the school will be entitled to free transport.
The proposal is only for primary education and not for early years or secondary education.
Councillor Jim Clocherty, Inverclyde Council’s convener of education and communities, said: “We have a proud record of delivering high-quality Gaelic medium education as part of our support of the language.
“All our schools are open to all pupils and remain inclusive and respectful but this proposal would make accessing Gaelic medium primary education more inclusive by removing the need for a placing request and assure pupils a place to support their development.
“I encourage as many people and interested parties as possible to please take part in this important consultation and the listening events that are scheduled to take place.”
People can take part in the consultation via the Inverclyde Council website at www.inverclyde.gov.uk/yoursay.
The closing date for responses is Friday 18 March 2022.
The first of the two public meetings will be held online on Monday 21 February 2022 at 6.30pm and the second will be at Whinhill Primary on Tuesday 22 February 2022 at 6.30pm.
Anyone wishing to attend the online meeting should email admin.educationhq@inverclyde.gov.uk and a link will be sent to them.
For the in-person event at Whinhill Primary, attendees should call 01475 712850 and press option 5 to speak to an operator who will log their interest.