Proposals for the Future Development of Nursery and Primary Gaelic Medium Education in Edinburgh CCWP Meeting 8 March 2011

Proposals Summary Option (1) – Establish dedicated primary school with nursery at former Bonnington Primary School, and withdrawal of current GME unit at Tollcross; or Option (2) – Increase GME capacity on Tollcross site by extending building and relocating nursery to a new facility in grounds of the existing school.

Context  Significant growth in GME at Tollcross  Looking at expanding provision if we are to respond to demand  Tollcross Primary School currently provides:  30am and 30pm GME nursery places  7 primary GME classes  6 English Medium classes at Tollcross  School at capacity – no room for further growth  Council facing significant budgetary pressures

GME P1 Growth / /012010/11

Option 1 – Dedicated School Main Points:  Establish GME primary school and nursery at Bonnington Primary School.  Close GME unit at Tollcross from July  Offer places at new GME school or Tollcross English stream to all current Tollcross GME unit pupils.  Immediate Capacity of 14 Classes.  Full immersion model supported by Comann nam Pàrant and Bòrd na Gàidhlig

Option 1 – Dedicated School Growth:  Occupancy rate initially 43%  Under-occupancy issue reduced if dedicated school increases demand. Educational Benefits:  Potential for total immersion  Greater opportunity for development of bilingualism Educational Disbenefits:  Separates Gaelic and English streams changing dynamic that resulted in HMIe achievements

Option 1: English Medium at Tollcross:  Relocating GME leaves 45% occupancy rate at Tollcross  Low roll = implications for wider educational experience:  Pupils have fewer peers  Opportunities for teachers professional development reduced  Opportunities for collaborative working reduced  Closure not under consideration - currently no room in nearby schools

Option 2 – Extend Tollcross Main Points:  Capacity of 11 GME classes through:  4 class extension Tollcross building  New-build, 40/40 standalone nursery facility  Refurbishment of existing nursery for classrooms  Internal adaptations to improve general purpose space

Option 2 – Extend Tollcross Growth:  11 class GME capacity.  P1 intakes of up to 42 pupils per annum.  Supports current growth until 2018/19. Educational Benefits:  Continuation of high quality joint provision  Doesn’t risk standards in English Medium stream Educational Disbenefits:  Does not offer complete immersion in the Gaelic language

Additional Revenue Costs of Growth  Growth will incur additional costs, irrespective of which option:  Additional teachers will be employed specifically for GME, increasing the total number of teachers in Edinburgh  Number of pupils entitled to free transport expected to rise  Some, but not all, costs may be offset by Government grant

Dedicated School - Extra Costs  Increases the number of educational establishments:  New management and non-teaching staff positions required (£140,000 - £200,000 pa)  Building running, maintenance and repair costs for the schools estate (£80,000 pa)  Building not so central – increases transport costs (estimated £40,000 pa)

Additional Revenue Implications  Current primary provision costs £564,000 pa  Additional revenue costs: Option 1 (Dedicated School) with… 2012/132019/20 … full Capital Funding Received£381,000£657,000 … no Capital Funding Received£502,000£778,000 Option 2 (Extend Tollcross) with… 2012/132019/20 … full Capital Funding Received£62,000£395,000 … no Capital Funding Received£207,000£540,000

Additional Revenue Implications Option 1 (Dedicated School) with… Total Additional Cost 2012/ /20 … full Capital Funding Received£4.3m … no Capital Funding Received£5.3m Option 2 (Extend Tollcross) with… Total Additional Cost 2012/ /20 … full Capital Funding Received£2.1m … no Capital Funding Received£3.2m

 Unlikely to receive Capital funding from Government  May be partially offset by Capital funding from Government Financial Implications: Capital Option 1 (Dedicated School)(£’000) Restore Bonnington Primary1,410 Loss of Bonnington sale1,000 Option (1) Total Capital Cost2,410 Option 2 (Extend Tollcross)(£’000) New standalone nursery650 Refurbish existing nursery45 4 class extension1,000 Option (2) Total Capital Cost1,695

Timescales Option 1  Tollcross GME closes July  Dedicated School opens August Option 2  New standalone nursery opens August  2 additional classrooms available August  4 class extension available August 2013.

Consultation Feedback  2 options outlined  No preferred outcome  Looking for feedback to inform report and recommendation to elected members

Consultation Process  Consultation runs to 21 March  HMIE views sought and reported  All comments received and points raised at this meeting considered & responded to in a report.  Report published 9 June 2011  Report to Full Council 30 June 2011  Scottish Government approval required for any move from Tollcross

Full papers and further information: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS