Gaelic medium catchment area in Thurso meets approval
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CAITHNESS councillor Raymond Bremner has welcomed Highland Council's decision to move forward with the establishment of a Gaelic medium catchment area for Mount Pleasant Primary School in Thurso.
The favourable results of a statutory public consultation were revealed at a meeting of the care, learning and housing committee.
The proposal was taken forward in line with statutory guidance issued by Bòrd na Gàidhlig, which backs the move to create catchment areas for Gaelic medium education (GME) in the far north.
The move was also approved by Education Scotland which stated in its consultation document: “The council’s proposal has the potential to result in educational benefits for GME.
“Consultees do have some justifiable concerns, which the council needs to address in its final report. These centre on promotion of GME, transport and taking forward 3-18 GME as a continuum of learning.”
Currently, Mount Pleasant is the only primary school within the Thurso Associated School Group to offer GME.
Councillor Bremner, himself a Gaelic speaker, chaired the panel that held a public consultation in June.
The Wick and East Caithness councillor said: “I welcome the report – it is a very positive one. Gaelic medium education has been delivered in Thurso now for over 10 years, in nursery and in primary school.
“I am pleased that we have been able to give comfort to parents in respect of the concerns they raised. Those concerns related to the transition of Gaelic medium primary school children to high school.
“We need to ensure that we deliver the plans that we are looking to put in place and to have continuity in Gaelic teaching and learning both for Mount Pleasant Primary School and Thurso High School.
"The fact that we have delivered Gaelic medium tuition in Thurso for over 10 years is testament to the recognition of a Gaelic medium catchment area that works and the conclusion of this review simply endorses this.
"I’d like to thank the Highland Council team for all the work they have done over the past few months and look forward to continued success for the Gaelic medium team and all the staff in Mount Pleasant and Thurso High School in the future.
"It is a very positive report and I welcome it."
