Delivery of plan commitments

Our Gaelic Language Plan is part of HMIE’s corporate planning. It links to Scottish Government priorities through the National Performance Framework, National Improvement Framework and the National Gaelic Language Plan. These plans articulate a sustainable future for the language, as well as achieving excellence and equity for all learners in Scotland.

The Gaelic Language Plan was prepared prior to the announcement of the educational reform in Scotland. HMIE recognises that the plan must therefore be iterative and responsive, enabling relevant and proportionate adaptation throughout its lifetime.

In delivering our vision for Gaelic in Scotland, HMIE aligned our high-level educational commitments to the Inspectorate’s purpose. These high-level aims are:

• publish inspection evidence relating to the Gaelic sector, including on issues bespoke to the sector, including at events
• share inspection evidence with senior leaders, teachers and partners
• Ensure that the Gaelic sector is part of the ongoing programme of thematic inspections
• deliver a national thematic report on Gaelic education during the lifetime of the plan
• support inspection and self-evaluation for improvement in the Gaelic sector
• ensure continuing transparency in how we inspect the Gaelic sector

We will update our document, Advice on Gaelic Education, based on good practice in inspection findings and our inspection frameworks, as appropriate.

HMIE also has corporate high-level commitments that support the National Gaelic Language Plan’s aim of increasing the learning, use and promotion of Gaelic. This is achieved by:

• having staff with qualifications and skills in Gaelic
• a communication strategy
• Gaelic resources on our website
• professional learning for staff

In so doing, we will strive to reduce gaps to play our part in achieving excellence, equity and equality for the Gaelic sector.

Assurance and public accountability

In 2024 and 2025, in line with the annual inspection plan, HMIE delivered an agreed programme of inspections across early learning and childcare, primary and secondary schools and Gaelic sectors. Successes included:

• 22 inspections of Gaelic Medium provisions
• 24 inspections for Gaelic (Learners)
• 4 further inspections for the Gaelic sector

Published reports on inspection findings for the school sector provide clear actions on how to improve practice. Almost all published inspection letters found at least one area of strength and an action point to support improvement.

Almost all published reports on inspection findings were available in Gaelic on the same day as English versions. Post-school inspections report on Gaelic where appropriate. Currently, there are no routine inspections of community learning and development (CLD) taking place.

A national thematic inspection evaluated how well local authorities support schools to improve. The inspection evaluated local authorities’ support for Gaelic in a few local authorities. HMIE delivered professional learning to a local authority network based on the national thematic report findings. This report identifies strengths and important ways in which Gaelic can be improved in local authorities.

Identifying and sharing effective practice

HMIE continues to promote improvement across the Gaelic sector by identifying, synthesising and sharing effective practice drawn from inspection findings. Progress in this area during 2024 and 2025 was positive, with several notable achievements in promoting improvement by identifying and sharing effective practice.

HMIE published 5 case studies illustrating highly effective practice, with a further 3 scheduled for publication in 2025 and 2026. These case studies contribute to deepening sector understanding of effective Gaelic Medium and Gaelic (Learners) delivery. This is enabling settings to plan for strengthening immersion approaches, support fluency development and enhance the overall quality of learning experiences. These case studies contribute to a growing and more coherent body of professional knowledge across the system.

HMIE built capacity by sharing inspection findings on early years, primary and secondary practice at national networks and discussions. This supported staff by illustrating what constitutes highly effective Gaelic Medium and Learner Education. For the early years sector, there was an intentional clarifying of how Gaelic relates to the new shared quality improvement framework with the Care Inspectorate for early learning and childcare. Advice on Gaelic Education continues to be used on inspections. These engagements help strengthen practitioners’ understanding of what constitutes strong provision and key priorities for improvement across the Gaelic sector.

HMIE continues to strengthen capacity through the role of Associate Assessors (AAs). AAs are educators and senior leaders in schools and local authorities recognised for their best practice. They inspect with HMIE on an occasional basis. Progress is evident in both recruitment and professional learning. Currently, HMIE has its biggest team of AAs to date.

HMIE demonstrates progress against national targets for the use of Gaelic by finding roles for which Gaelic is essential and conducting interviews for Assistant Assessors through the medium of Gaelic, led by specialist inspectors. This approach enables HMIE to assure itself that candidates have the required level of fluency in Gaelic alongside their professional competence.

During this reporting period, the Advice on Gaelic Education was updated through oral delivery rather than through a refreshed written publication.

This advice is valuable in supporting self‑evaluation and informing inspection activity. It continues to promote consistent, high‑quality understanding of the distinctive pedagogies associated with Gaelic Medium Education and Gaelic learners.

The views of stakeholders for Gaelic are sought and considered in developing new quality and improvement frameworks and for future approaches to inspection. Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Comann nam Pàrant are part of our stakeholder engagement strategy in co-designing quality improvement frameworks. HMIE has worked proactively with the Gaelic sector, including children and young people, to ensure that their views are considered on Gaelic Medium and Gaelic (Learners). This was achieved through the medium of Gaelic.

Informing educational policy and practice

HMIE continues to make a significant strategic contribution to national policy development by providing independent, evidence-based evaluations derived from the direct observation of practice across Gaelic Medium Education, Gaelic (Learners) and Learning about Gaelic Language Culture. This role is still central to ensuring that policy formation is based on evidence from classrooms, early years settings and local authorities.

In addition, HMIE contributed ongoing evaluative evidence to major national policy processes, including the Scottish Languages Act 2025 the Education (Scotland) Act 2025 and the Statutory Guidance on Gaelic Education 2017.

Informing our people and corporate strategy

HMIE progressed corporate commitments that set out how HMIE should increase the use and learning of Gaelic within its day-to-day operations and with the public. These commitments play a vital role in raising the profile and visibility of Gaelic.

HM inspectors can take part in training on inspecting Gaelic. This helps inspectors support consistent evaluative practice, particularly the linguistic and pedagogical distinctiveness of Gaelic Education. All new HM inspectors are offered induction and professional learning in Gaelic Education. Our new branding is available in Gaelic and English, with the option of using Gaelic first.

Strategic outlook for 2025 to 2026

HMIE is making strong progress towards the next reporting year linked to its core functions. HMIE supports improvement by individual establishments covering 3-18 through inspections. Collectively, these developments show positive progress as HMIE moves into the next reporting cycle.