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

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

4520

00/0

1

2001

/02

2002

/03

2003

/04

2004

/05

2005

/06

2006

/07

2007

/08

2008

/09

2009

/10

2010

/11

2011

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2012

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2013

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2014

/15

2015

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2016

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2017

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2018

/19

Year

Pu

pils

45

0

15

30

2018/192000/01 2010/11

Option 1 – Dedicated SchoolMain Points: Establish GME primary school and nursery at

Bonnington Primary School. Close GME unit at Tollcross from July 2012. 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 SchoolGrowth: Occupancy rate initially 43% Under-occupancy issue reduced if dedicated school

increases demand.Educational Benefits: Potential for total immersion Greater opportunity for development of bilingualismEducational 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 peersOpportunities for teachers professional development

reducedOpportunities for collaborative working reduced

Closure not under consideration - currently no room in nearby schools

Option 2 – Extend TollcrossMain 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 TollcrossGrowth: 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 GrowthGrowth 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 ImplicationsCurrent primary provision costs £564,000 paAdditional revenue costs:

Option 1 (Dedicated School) with…

2012/13 2019/20

… full Capital Funding Received £381,000 £657,000

… no Capital Funding Received £502,000 £778,000

Option 2 (Extend Tollcross) with…

2012/13 2019/20

… 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 2012/13 - 2019/20

… full Capital Funding Received £4.3m

… no Capital Funding Received £5.3m

Option 2 (Extend Tollcross) with…

Total Additional Cost 2012/13 - 2019/20

… 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 Primary 1,410

Loss of Bonnington sale 1,000

Option (1) Total Capital Cost 2,410

Option 2 (Extend Tollcross) (£’000)

New standalone nursery 650

Refurbish existing nursery 45

4 class extension 1,000

Option (2) Total Capital Cost 1,695

Timescales

Option 1 Tollcross GME closes July 2012. Dedicated School opens August 2012.

Option 2 New standalone nursery opens August 2012. 2 additional classrooms available August 2012. 4 class extension available August 2013.

Consultation Feedback

2 options outlinedNo preferred outcomeLooking for feedback to inform report

and recommendation to elected members

Consultation Process Consultation runs to 21 March 2011.

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:www.edinburgh.gov.uk/primarygaelic

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS