Headteacher for new Gaelic School appointed

Anne MacPhail has been appointed as the Head Teacher for the city’s first dedicated Gaelic school, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Páirce. Anne, who has family connections with the isles of Tiree and Harris, is a lifelong Gaelic speaker. She has been principal teacher in the Gaelic unit at Tollcross for the last 12 years.

Councillor Paul Godzik, Education, Children and Families Convener said, “This appointment is a significant step in the process of getting the new Gaelic school up and running. Next August Bun-sgoil Taobh na Páirce will open it’s doors for the first time. I’m sure Anne will use her experience and skills to help make the school a great success, I want to wish her the best of luck in her new role.”

Anne said:-“I am delighted to be appointed to this role. The opening of the new school is a significant commitment to the future of Gaelic language in the city and I look forward to working with our pupils, staff and parents to ensure the school is a success. As well as welcoming the children from the Tollcross unit to Taobh na Páirce, I look forward to opening the doors of the school to our new primary one pupils.”

Councillor Deidre Brock, spokesperson for Gaelic for the Capital Coalition, said:- “The opening of the new school is eagerly anticipated by both those who attend the current unit at Tollcross and the new families who will join the school community come August. Anne is well known to many Gaelic speakers through the great work she has done at Tollcross and I know her appointment is welcomed by the school community. I would like to congratulate Anne and look forward to working with her in the future.”

The school, which is currently being developed on the site of the old Bonnington Primary School in Leith, will replace the existing Gaelic medium education (GME) Unit based within Tollcross Primary School which was established in 1982. The unit has steadily seen its roll rise over the years as demand for GME has grown.