Gaelic School students celebrate success in ‘pilot’ maths exam

Friday 5 August 2011

STUDENTS at Scotland's largest Gaelic school were yesterday celebrating their results following the landmark decision to translate exam papers into the language for the first time.

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ALAN ROBERTSON

Higher candidates were able to sit mathematics in either English or Gaelic following the Scottish Qualifications Authority’s decision to expand the number of subjects it offers in the language. Standard grades in geography, history, maths and modern studies are already translated into Gaelic.

The move was welcomed by staff and students at Glasgow Gaelic school, where pupils were previously forced to undertake exams in English – despite being taught the subject in Gaelic since the school’s launch five years ago. Three students who excelled in the current round of examinations were 16-year-olds David Mackenzie and Morris Kelly and 17-year-old Ruairidh Morrison, who all achieved top grades in Higher Maths.Ruairidh said: “I used the Gaelic paper. I found it easier because Gaelic is an easier language for me.”David added: “It’s helpful for students and can make things a lot easier to understand. Future pupils should definitely have the option. “It gives you a bit of support if you’re having a mental block doing it in English then you’ve always got the option there of the Gaelic.”Glasgow Gaelic School head teacher, Donalda McComb, 48, said: “They are taught the terminology in Gaelic but they are also familiar with it in English. “And because it’s totally immersion from primary into secondary they will have been taught maths in Gaelic from primary 1, so are very familiar with the use of certain concepts.“This is probably a pilot year to see how we got on with the Higher course and it looks as if it’s been quite successful.”An SQA spokesman said the roll-out was part of the authority’s “strong commitment” to Scotland’s Gaelic-speaking community.He said: “This year Higher Mathematics was added to the offering. This expansion is one of SQA’s Gaelic Language Plan commitments.“SQA maintains a strong commitment to the Gaelic language. National Qualifications for Gaelic (Learners) and Gàidhlig are available at all levels from Access 3 to Advanced Higher. “We’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of the candidates from the Glasgow Gaelic School who performed splendidly. They have got their just reward after a year of committed study.”

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Gaelic School students celebrate success in ‘pilot’ maths exam

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