Developing an island identity: Strengthening learning through Gàidhlig language, culture and community

Bun‑sgoil Bhun Easain (Bunessan Primary School) sits just outside the village of Bunessan on the Isle of Mull, in a remote rural setting. The school has 27 pupils across Gàidhlig Medium Education (GME) and English Medium Education (EME). Gàidhlig Medium Education provision began in 2019.

Almost all primary-age children travel by school transport. The school also has a Pre‑5 Unit with roll of nine where children learn through English, with a Gaelic (Learners) programme. After P7, children move to secondary school on the mainland and board in a hostel during the week.

The improvement issue

Staff wanted to make better use of the rich resources available in the local community and environment. They were also aware of the long‑term challenge of encouraging young people to return to the island after moving away for secondary education.

The school’s strong Gàidhlig heritage was important to the school and a key priority, and staff aimed to create a learning experience that celebrated language, culture and the uniqueness of island life.

What Bun‑sgoil Bhun Easain did

Leadership and vision

Staff used their strong understanding of the local context to guide change. They refreshed the school vision with strong involvement from children:

“Creating confident learners in a caring and creative community —

A’ cruthachadh luchd‑ionnsachaidh misneachail ann an coimhearsnachd coibhneil agus chruthachail.”

This shared vision shaped planning, learning and partnership work.

Learning, teaching and assessment

Staff focused on improving writing, developing play‑based and inquiry‑based approaches, and strengthening children’s problem‑solving skills. Teachers set high expectations, used effective questioning, and differentiated learning appropriately.

Outdoor learning, digital technology and real‑life contexts were embedded throughout the curriculum. Assessment was used well to plan next steps, and feedback helped children become confident, independent learners.

In Gàidhlig Medium Education (GME):

• Staff provided high‑quality total immersion.
• Older pupils acted as Gàidhlig language models for younger children.
• Immersion took place indoors, outdoors and through project work.
• Children shared the Abairt na Seachdain (Weekly Gàidhlig Phrase) with the community, helping broaden everyday use of Gàidhlig.

In English Medium Education (EME):

• Children learned Gaelic (Learners) as their first additional language.
• Learning was supported by staff and visiting Gàidhlig tutors from wider Argyll and Bute.
• Songs, cultural activities and participation in Seachdain na Gàidhlig strengthened shared use of Gàidhlig across the school.

Curriculum enrichment and partnerships

Partnerships significantly broadened learning experiences. Examples include:

• Working with a university expert on Gàidhlig placenames to help children understand their local geography and cultural history.
• Co‑designing a nature trail with the community woodland and a forestry ranger, producing bilingual signs and a visitor leaflet.
• Regular visits to the community garden to learn about sustainability, food growing and cooking.
• Establishing a careers fair and careers week, supported by local businesses, introducing children to island‑based jobs, apprenticeships and career routes.
• Offering P5–7 children sailing lessons through a local sailing school, developing confidence and skills linked to island life.

Family and community engagement

The Parent Council actively supported fundraising, school trips and community links. Parents/carers worked closely with the school, helping ensure equitable access to enrichment opportunities.

What the sustained impact has been

Attainment and achievement

Assessment evidence shows improved writing across the school and increased confidence in problem‑solving. This reflects stronger use of learning intentions, high‑quality feedback and well‑planned differentiation.

Language, culture and identity

Children in Gàidhlig Medium Education demonstrated improved fluency and increased use of Gàidhlig in and beyond school. Community activities such as Abairt na Seachdain helped strengthen cultural identity.

Children in English Medium Education engaged positively with Gàidhlig as an additional language and contributed to shared events and learning spaces.

“Learning local Gàidhlig place names helped my understanding of our area. Knowing their meaning makes me more confident when I say the different place names.”
P5 pupil

Skills for learning, life and work

Careers week and business partnerships increased children’s understanding of local job opportunities and routes that allow young people to stay on the island.

Sailing lessons built confidence around water and developed practical skills relevant to both leisure and future employment.

“The regular sailing sessions increased my confidence on the water. Practising capsizing helped me feel safer because now I know exactly what to do.”
P6 pupil

Partnerships and community participation

Partnerships are now regular and well‑established.

• A business involved in careers week later supported curriculum work by providing local produce for cooking.
• Children contributed to tourism experiences by developing bilingual woodland materials.
• Collaboration with the placenames expert led to an arts project involving Iona Primary and a school in Svalbard, focused on shared island environments through art, song and community learning.