I am delighted that HMIE has been involved in and been able to contribute to Gaelic language developments over the years. This continuous involvement has resulted in the development of our Gaelic Language Plan. The plan confirms HMIE’s support for Gaelic language, culture and education.
HMIE is committed to ensuring that learners of all ages can access Curriculum for Excellence both now and in the future through the medium of Gaelic. That means working with educators of Gaelic to develop successful, responsible and confident learners with a sense of engagement and belonging. HMIE uses inspection and shares good practice with a view to improving learning in schools and other settings. HMIE is also committed to developing the wider understanding of the Gaelic culture.
We will help staff responsible for Gaelic education to use self-evaluation to keep extending their professional thinking and practice and encourage staff to be reflective and have a commitment to their own development. We will assist this practice by providing guidance through key HMIE documents in Gaelic. These documents will be useful tools for Gaelic educators to use in self-evaluation for improvement.
I am grateful to Bòrd na Gàidhlig for its support to allow us to take forward these aspects. I am also delighted that we have been able to join with our colleagues in Learning and Teaching Scotland and the Scottish Qualifications Authority to ensure that all three of our Gaelic Language Plans articulate and benefit Gaelic language developments.
Our Gaelic Language Plan will help us to raise the awareness of HMIE staff of Gaelic language and culture and of how HMIE promotes Gaelic language. This will enable us to underline the importance of Gaelic to Scotland’s heritage, identity and culture.
I welcome all of these developments which will help deliver better Gaelic education for our learners and better professional learning for staff in schools and education authorities.
Graham Donaldson