Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce

Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce
Former Bonnington Primary School building in 2008, before it was occupied by Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce
Address
Map
139 Bonnington Road

Bonnington

Edinburgh
,
EH6 5NQ

Scotland
Coordinates55°58′14″N 3°10′47″W / 55.9705°N 3.1797°W / 55.9705; -3.1797
Information
TypePrimary
MottoEdinburgh's Gaelic Primary School
EstablishedAugust 2013
Local authorityCity of Edinburgh
Head teacherA’ Bh-uas. Stewart
Staff52
Number of students418
LanguageScottish Gaelic
Websitewww.taobhnapairce.co.uk

Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce (English: Parkside Primary School, referring to the adjoining Pilrig Park) is a Gaelic medium primary school in Edinburgh, Scotland. Administered by the City of Edinburgh Council, the school is open to any parents in the city or surrounding areas who wish to have their children learn and be educated through Scottish Gaelic. The opening of Edinburgh's first dedicated Gaelic school on 16 August 2013, after many years of campaigning by parents and supporters, was hailed as a "landmark day" for the Scottish capital.[1]

Situated in the south of the district (and former municipal burgh) of Leith, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce is housed in the refurbished former Bonnington Primary School building. The original 2-storey T-shaped school was built between 1875 and 1877 to the plans of James Simpson (1832-1894), then architect of the Leith School Board, and subsequently extended in 1907 by Simpson's old apprentice and eventual successor, George Craig (1852-1928).[2]

As of March 2021 Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce has a pupil roll of 418 pupils across 16 classes,[3] as well as provision for a 40:40 Nursery.[4] The school originated in the highly successful Gaelic unit within Tollcross Primary School. The unit opened in 1988 as a single class with seven children and subsequently grew in size and stature. The majority of children in Gaelic-medium education at Tollcross Primary School transferred to Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce at its opening.

The school feeds into James Gillespie's High School, which has a Gaelic language unit for 120 pupils, for Secondary education. The City of Edinburgh Council are currently considering options for a replacement, standalone Gaelic Medium secondary school. Sites which have been considered include on a shared campus with Liberton High School or on vacated sites at the former Lothian and Borders Police headquarters in Fettes Avenue or the Royal Victoria Hospital in Craigleith.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ Baillie, Claire (17 August 2013). "Edinburgh opens first dedicated Gaelic school". The Scotsman. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
  2. ^ British Listed Buildings: 139a Bonnington Road, Bonnington Primary School with Play Shelters, Gatepiers and Railings
  3. ^ "City of Edinburgh Council School Roll Projections 2020". City of Edinburgh Council. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  4. ^ Depute Head Teacher - Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pairce[permanent dead link‍] www.myjobscotland.gov.uk, accessed 7 April 2013
  5. ^ "Police HQ and old hospital in running to be site of Edinburgh's new Gaelic school". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 17 November 2021.



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