Latest news with #AlisonRichardson
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Update on new Gaelic primary school to open in Glasgow
Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a' Challtainn (Calton Gaelic Primary School) is being developed in the East End with funding from a £2.4 million Scottish Government investment to support Gaelic schools and culture across Scotland. The school is being established in a refurbished and extended former St James' Primary School, with £2 million of the funding dedicated to the project. Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, said: "This school will build on the encouraging surge we have seen in the number of Gaelic speakers and learners in Glasgow and support the language's growth into the future. "Gaelic medium education enriches communities and offers good value for money by providing better grade averages across all qualification levels despite costs being no greater than average." The new school will be Glasgow's fourth Gaelic primary and will accommodate up to 416 pupils. Glasgow City Council has contributed £17.6 million to the project, with a total budget of £23.8 million. Alison Richardson, headteacher of Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a' Challtainn, said: "With Gaelic medium education continuing to flourish in Glasgow, our pupils and parents are excited and proud to be moving Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a' Challtainn into its very own repurposed school located in the East End. "We look forward to supporting Gaelic's growth in the Calton area, where many spoke it in the past, and for the school to become a real focal point and asset to the local community." The funding package will also support Gaelic classroom expansion at West Primary School in Paisley, the growth of two Gaelic cultural centres in the Highlands, and events delivered by An Comunn Gàidhealach, which will host this year's Royal National Mòd in Lochaber. Glasgow had 740 primary pupils in Gaelic medium education in 2023.
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow headteacher welcomes £2m boost for new city school
Alison Richardson comes from a non-Gaelic speaking family, but learned the language at school in Glasgow, before training to be a teacher. She said: 'My mum's family is from Barra, but neither of my parents spoke Gaelic. I learned it by going to school in the city. 'I have experienced all the benefits of a Gaelic education, so it's lovely that things have come full circle.' Bun-sgoil Ghaidhlig a' challtainn pupils from left- Ishbel, Mirren and Pamelah outside what will be the new Gaelic primary school on Stevenson Street (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) Alison and some of her excited primary three pupils from Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a' Challtainn (Calton Gaelic Primary School) - including, pictured, Mirren, Ishbel and Pamelah, met Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic Kate Forbes on Tuesday (June 3) as the funding boost was announced. Headteacher Alison Richardson with Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) The money will complete the £23m refurbishment and extension of the former St James' Primary building on Stevenson Street in the East End to establish the city's fourth Gaelic language primary school. The school will have space for 416 pupils. Alison was in the primary seven cohort when the city's first Gaelic school, Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu, opened in 1999. She attended Hillpark Secondary School, which had a Gaelic unit at the time, and completed her PGDE (Postgraduate Diploma in Education) at the University of Strathclyde. Alison Richardson (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) She has been acting headteacher of Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a' Challtainn in its temporary premises at North Kelvinside Primary since August 2023. 'I've always wanted to be a teacher, I never really imagined doing anything else,' she explains. 'Everyone is really excited and proud to be moving into our very own building. I hope the school will become a real community asset, and that it will help to show the relevance of Gaelic today. 'Gaelic relies on people embracing the language and the culture, but equally, I want the school to embrace the families, to help them feel a part of the Gaelic community.' During a recent arts project, pupils at Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a' Challtainn learned about the East End's historical connections to Gaelic, when many people arrived in Glasgow from the Highlands and Islands to find work. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes with Mirren, Ishbel and Pamelah (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) Alison explained: 'They learned that in one of the factories, where lichen was used to dye fabrics purple, the method was kept a secret from competitors because the workforce was made up entirely of Gaelic speakers.' She adds, smiling: 'When it came to choosing their uniforms, the children remembered that story and decided on purple. 'There is a huge misconception that Gaelic wasn't spoken in Glasgow, but that's not true and I think this story is a reminder of that, and a lovely connection to the area's past.' The funding announced by the Deputy First Minister is part of a £2.4 million package to support Gaelic schools and cultural initiatives across Scotland. Other projects include the construction of a second classroom at West Primary School in Paisley (£43k), a new bothy with computing, cooking and gardening space at Calderglen High in East Kilbride (£52k) and equipment for Greenfaulds High in Cumbernauld to allow more children from across North Lanarkshire to attend classes virtually (£39k). Ms Forbes said: 'This school will build on the encouraging surge we have seen in the number of Gaelic speakers and learners in Glasgow and support the language's growth into the future. 'Gaelic medium education enriches communities and offers good value for money by providing better grade averages across all qualification levels despite costs being no greater than average.' She added: 'To support Gaelic's growth across Scotland, we are providing an additional £5.7 million for Gaelic initiatives this year. We are also progressing the Scottish Languages Bill which, if passed by MSPs, will introduce measures to strengthen the provision of Gaelic education.' Glasgow is home to the third largest number of children and young people in Gaelic Medium Education in Scotland with 740 primary pupils in 2023. Census statistics show that 17,380 people in Glasgow had some Gaelic skills in 2022, an increase of 7911 people from 2011. Glasgow City Council has provided £17.6 million towards works at Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a' Challtainn, within an overall project budget of £23.8 million.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
'Excited and proud': Glasgow headteacher welcomes £2m boost for new school
GLASGOW'S first 'home-grown' Gaelic headteacher has welcomed the news that her school will open next year after a £2 million investment from the Scottish Government. Alison Richardson comes from a non-Gaelic speaking family, but learned the language at school in Glasgow, before training to be a teacher. She said: 'My mum's family is from Barra, but neither of my parents spoke Gaelic. I learned it by going to school in the city. 'I have experienced all the benefits of a Gaelic education, so it's lovely that things have come full circle.' Bun-sgoil Ghaidhlig a' challtainn pupils from left- Ishbel, Mirren and Pamelah outside what will be the new Gaelic primary school on Stevenson Street (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) Alison and some of her excited primary three pupils from Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a' Challtainn (Calton Gaelic Primary School) - including, pictured, Mirren, Ishbel and Pamelah, met Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic Kate Forbes on Tuesday (June 3) as the funding boost was announced. Headteacher Alison Richardson with Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) The money will complete the £23m refurbishment and extension of the former St James' Primary building on Stevenson Street in the East End to establish the city's fourth Gaelic language primary school. The school will have space for 416 pupils. Alison was in the primary seven cohort when the city's first Gaelic school, Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu, opened in 1999. She attended Hillpark Secondary School, which had a Gaelic unit at the time, and completed her PGDE (Postgraduate Diploma in Education) at the University of Strathclyde. Alison Richardson (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) She has been acting headteacher of Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a' Challtainn in its temporary premises at North Kelvinside Primary since August 2023. 'I've always wanted to be a teacher, I never really imagined doing anything else,' she explains. 'Everyone is really excited and proud to be moving into our very own building. I hope the school will become a real community asset, and that it will help to show the relevance of Gaelic today. 'Gaelic relies on people embracing the language and the culture, but equally, I want the school to embrace the families, to help them feel a part of the Gaelic community.' During a recent arts project, pupils at Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a' Challtainn learned about the East End's historical connections to Gaelic, when many people arrived in Glasgow from the Highlands and Islands to find work. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes with Mirren, Ishbel and Pamelah (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) Alison explained: 'They learned that in one of the factories, where lichen was used to dye fabrics purple, the method was kept a secret from competitors because the workforce was made up entirely of Gaelic speakers.' She adds, smiling: 'When it came to choosing their uniforms, the children remembered that story and decided on purple. 'There is a huge misconception that Gaelic wasn't spoken in Glasgow, but that's not true and I think this story is a reminder of that, and a lovely connection to the area's past.' The funding announced by the Deputy First Minister is part of a £2.4 million package to support Gaelic schools and cultural initiatives across Scotland. READ NEXT: 'Car crash TV': Glasgow designer on her painful exit from hit BBC show The Glasgow schools for 'homeless waifs' which helped feed city's poor Glasgow children's project 'in danger' of closing amid urgent appeal for funds Glasgow school's 'wonderful' inspection report as pupils reveal: 'We're so proud' 'Townhead was obliterated': Billy Elliot star on his Glasgow roots Other projects include the construction of a second classroom at West Primary School in Paisley (£43k), a new bothy with computing, cooking and gardening space at Calderglen High in East Kilbride (£52k) and equipment for Greenfaulds High in Cumbernauld to allow more children from across North Lanarkshire to attend classes virtually (£39k). Ms Forbes said: 'This school will build on the encouraging surge we have seen in the number of Gaelic speakers and learners in Glasgow and support the language's growth into the future. 'Gaelic medium education enriches communities and offers good value for money by providing better grade averages across all qualification levels despite costs being no greater than average.' She added: 'To support Gaelic's growth across Scotland, we are providing an additional £5.7 million for Gaelic initiatives this year. We are also progressing the Scottish Languages Bill which, if passed by MSPs, will introduce measures to strengthen the provision of Gaelic education.' Glasgow is home to the third largest number of children and young people in Gaelic Medium Education in Scotland with 740 primary pupils in 2023. Census statistics show that 17,380 people in Glasgow had some Gaelic skills in 2022, an increase of 7911 people from 2011. Glasgow City Council has provided £17.6 million towards works at Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a' Challtainn, within an overall project budget of £23.8 million.
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Extra funding to ensure completion of new Glasgow primary school
The new money will support the refurbishment and extension of the former St James' Primary School in Calton area of the city, which has lain derelict for more than a decade. Although originally planned for completion in December 2025, the school is now expected to be handed over to the council towards the end of 2026. Once opened, Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a' Challtainn (Calton Gaelic Primary School) will become the fourth Gaelic-medium primary school in Glasgow and will have space for a total of 416 pupils. The most recent census shows that the number of Gaelic-speakers in Glasgow has increased by more than 80 percent since 2011. The school is being funded via the Scottish Government's Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP), which is intended to support the development of schools across the country and ensure that children are learning in environments that are fit for purpose. Councils have been able to apply for help to rebuild or refurbish schools, and in some cases create new education services, with dozens of projects approved since the first round of awards in 2019. Councils are responsible for the upfront costs of each programme, but can recoup up to half from the Scottish Government over a twenty-five year period. However, a significant number of existing projects are now running late and at least one – the Doon Valley Campus in East Ayrshire – has been cancelled due to escalating costs, and major concerns have been raised about the proposed new school on the Isle of Mull. Asked if the Scottish Government would consider providing further support for other LEIP projects, the Deputy First Minister did not rule out the possibility. In addition to the funding for the school refurbishment, the government also announced support for twelve further educational and cultural projects. The money will be provided via the Gaelic Capital Fund and will allow for developments including expanded teaching spaces and upgraded equipment in schools, as well as initiatives such as a two-day Gaelic music event in South Uist, the extension of a Gaelic cultural centre in Skye, and the transcription of historic Gaelic recordings. Speaking during her visit to the school site, Kate Forbes said: 'This school will build on the encouraging surge we have seen in the number of Gaelic speakers and learners in Glasgow and support the language's growth into the future. 'Gaelic medium education enriches communities and offers good value for money by providing better grade averages across all qualification levels despite costs being no greater than average. 'To support Gaelic's growth across Scotland, we are providing an additional £5.7 million for Gaelic initiatives this year. We are also progressing the Scottish Languages Bill which, if passed by MSPs, will introduce measures to strengthen the provision of Gaelic education.' Alison Richardson, headteacher of Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a' Challtainn, said: 'With Gaelic medium education continuing to flourish in Glasgow, our pupils and parents are excited and proud to be moving Bun-sgoil Ghàidhlig a' Challtainn into its very own repurposed school located in the East End. 'We look forward to supporting Gaelic's growth in the Calton area, where many spoke it in the past, and for the school to become a real focal point and asset to the local community.'
