Bilingual school 'shows benefits'

The report suggested academic and social benefits

An Aberdeen school which has pioneered bilingual education has been judged a resounding success, a report has said.

Under the scheme, subjects such as maths and English are taught in French.

Walker Road Primary School has native French speakers working with other staff to teach children a range of subjects from the age of five.

A Stirling University report said it showed promising academic progress and spin-off benefits in international outlook and personal confidence.

Subjects such as drama, music and art are initially taught to pupils in French, with this gradually expanded across the curriculum.

'Valuable lessons'

The report, launched on Thursday, charted the progress of the first children who have now moved on to secondary school.

It found their French was very good, that they were at an average level of maths and were ahead in English.

Children in Aberdeen who have gone through their entire primary school education with lessons in French are now reaping considerable benefits.

Minister for Skills and Schools, Maureen Watt, said: "The Scottish Government is focused on encouraging our young people to be self confident, outward-looking Scots.

"These are qualities reflected in the children of Walker Road Primary who have developed their French language skills through this pilot, from which I am sure there will be valuable lessons that we can learn for language learning in Scottish education as a whole."

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