Search begins to find teacher for Lochaline Primary’s new Gaelic unit

As announced last week, parents in Lochaline unanimously decided to request the provision of Gaelic education at their local school, rather than send children on the ferry to Mull. 

 

Highland Council was in full support of the idea and has worked with parents to see their wishes become reality.

 

The position at the small school on the Morvern Peninsula is now listed on My Job Scotland and the council hopes to fill it as soon as possible.

 

Highland Council has pledged to help with housing provision for the new teacher. 

 

The new Gaelic teacher will be the second full-time teacher at the school, which currently has eight pupils and expects to see more once the unit is established. 

 

There are also eight pupils in the local nursery, which as of the start of the current school year, has been in receipt of 10 hours of Gaelic teaching per week.  

 

Head Teacher Andrew Kent said: "We feel very lucky to have a modern and well-resourced school building, some amazing spaces in which to grow and learn, and such a beautiful part of Scotland to call our home.

 

"The most wonderful asset of our school is the children themselves, who carry the values of their homes, school and community with them every day.

 

"All of the children in school and nursery interact fully with each other daily, and embody the values of wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity which we strive to instil in them.

 

"It is a very happy and nurturing environment in which to learn, with the family feel of the school often remarked upon by visitors.

 

"You only need to spend five minutes in the school to get a feel for the sense of fun, happiness, kindness and love of learning.

 

"Every member of our amazing team of staff cares deeply about the school and community, and we are proud to call ourselves custodians of the school and to do our best to help the children of Lochaline fulfil their potential.

 

"Our place is very special and important to us and we take advantage of our setting by getting out in the outdoors as often as possible.

 

"We embrace opportunities to interact with other schools on the peninsula and beyond, including having a special relationship with our cluster school in Ardgour.

 

"So, we are very excited to have the opportunity to establish Gaelic Medium Education at Lochaline.

 

"Gaelic culture is strong in our community, we currently have Gaelic provision in our nursery and now we are looking for a teacher to join us for our Gaelic Medium class at school. 

 

"We feel that this represents an incredible opportunity for someone to make their mark on our school and community and to have a deep and lasting impact on the lives, culture and learning of our amazing students."