GME staffing pressures and classroom resources
Key Questions
What staffing vacancies currently exist in Gaelic Medium Education?
Vacancies persist across multiple regions including Argyll & Bute (Tiree and Salen), North Lanarkshire (Greenfaulds), North Ayrshire, Highlands, and Glasgow. Recent postings include a Teacher of Gaelic at Calderglen High School and temporary roles at Whitehirst Park Primary and James Gillespie's High School.
What new support roles have been created for GME pupils and families?
Two Pupil Support Assistant posts at Bun-Sgoil Taobh Na Pairce in Edinburgh and a Gaelic Family Liaison Officer post in Oban (temporary until March 2027) have been advertised. North Lanarkshire has also posted CLD Support Worker roles for adult community classes.
How are recruitment challenges being addressed in island communities?
A new Teaching Bursary Scheme offers £20k incentives for GME primary and secondary posts in island areas. Persistent vacancies, such as the temporary Gaelic Class Teacher role at Salen Primary until May 2027, highlight ongoing difficulties despite these measures.
What curriculum innovations are being introduced for GME students?
A Draft Film and Screen Curriculum in Gaelic has been launched by Screen Scotland, Education Scotland, and the Scottish Government. This provides new learning pathways for GME pupils as part of official rollout efforts.
Are there any positive developments in GME staffing or training?
Highland Council has made permanent appointments, while UHI placements, Cúrsa Drochaid, SpeakGaelic, and the Graduate Teaching Assistant role at Glasgow support the teacher training pipeline. Bòrd tutors and e-Sgoil supply posts also add capacity.
Vacancies persist (Argyll & Bute Tiree part-time Language Auxiliary ARB18039, Argyll, North Lanarkshire Greenfaulds REQ06086, North Ayrshire, Highlands, Glasgow). New: Calderglen High School Teacher of Gaelic vacancy (South Lanarkshire); Whitehirst Park Primary temporary Teacher of Gaelic (North Ayrshire NAY17303); Graduate Teaching Assistant in Celtic & Gaelic at Glasgow (teacher training pipeline). Positives: Highland permanents, Bòrd tutors, UHI placements (dl Aug31), Cúrsa Drochaid, SpeakGaelic, Skipinnish. New: Teaching Bursary Scheme for GME primary/secondary posts (£20k islands impact); North Lanarkshire CLD Support Worker REQ05953 and REQ05952 (adult community classes); Dingwall Primary Gaelic Early Years Practitioner role; e-Sgoil supply posts (secondary any subject/primary Gaelic); fixed-term Teacher of Gaelic at James Gillespie's High School Edinburgh; Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Gaelic supply teacher roles. Duplicate post ARB18104 (Salen) confirms persistent island recruitment challenges. New: Draft Film and Screen Curriculum in Gaelic launched by Screen Scotland, Education Scotland, and Scottish Government — official rollout of the curriculum innovation, providing new learning pathways for GME pupils. New: Two Pupil Support Assistant posts at Bun-Sgoil Taobh Na Pairce (Edinburgh) via City of Edinburgh Council — further evidence of ongoing demand for Gaelic-medium support staff. Latest: Gaelic Class Teacher post ARB18200 at Salen Primary, Isle of Mull (temporary until May 2027) — another island vacancy highlighting persistent recruitment difficulties. New: Gaelic Family Liaison Officer post ARB18264 in Oban (temporary until March 2027) — a new role type focused on supporting GME pupils and families, expanding Argyll & Bute's support infrastructure. New: Official data on GME secondary schools 2025-26 published for the first time, showing five more schools offering Gaelic subjects, but significant drop-off in pupil numbers from S1 to S6 remains a concern — sets baseline for monitoring expansion and retention.