New Gaelic Medium catchment areas for Portree associated school group

Members of the Highland Council’s Care, learning and Housing Committee have agreed to recommend to The Highland Council to create new Gaelic Medium catchment areas for the Portree associated school group as outlined in a public consultation which took place in late 2017.

In line with Statutory Guidance on Gaelic Medium Education, the Council sought the views of local communities in the catchment areas for the primary schools serving Portree High School. The consultation took place under procedures set down in The Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010. 

Parents, pupils and the wider community views were sought from 28 August to 25 October 2017 and public meetings were held in Portree on 13 September, Broadford on 14 September and Dunvegan on 4 October.

The majority of comments from pupils were in favour of the proposal and Bòrd na Gàidhlig (the principal public body in Scotland responsible for promoting Gaelic development) expressed support for the Council’s proposal. 

In a report from Education Scotland, the organisation concluded that the Council’s proposal has potential benefits for strengthening Gaelic within the Portree associated school group.

The final report and associated papers can be viewed on the Council’s website at:   www.highland.gov.uk/schoolconsultations

Similar exercises will be rolled out across the Highland Council area.