Aims and objectives: This paper explores children’s experiences and perceptions of their own bilingualism in two contexts in Scotland, UK: a primary school with a high proportion of children using a language other than English at home; and a primary school where the language of instruction is an indigenous, minority language, Gaelic. Methodology: The paper draws upon data gathered from multiple qualitative methods, including interviews, group activities and discussion, with both children and their parents. The data in this paper draw upon a broader interdisciplinary project exploring children’s experiences of bilingualism. Ethics were duly considered. Data and analysis: Data were gathered from 27 children and 11 parents. Data were coded and analysed using thematic analysis. Comparison between contexts was of particular interest for this article. Findings: This paper highlights the importance of research with children in order to gain an insight into their experiences and perceptions of their own bilingualism. In particular, our findings illustrate how children’s language learning is encouraged and supported by children’s connections with others and the fundamental role of family (particularly parents/carers) and diverse community-based support systems (which encompass a wide range of individuals and community groups) in order to develop active bilingualism. Originality: This paper addresses a research gap in a largely quantitative field, by adopting a qualitative approach to explore children’s experiences and perceptions of their own bilingualism. A qualitative approach facilitates attention to complexity and the participants’ own meanings and understandings. Significance: The paper highlights the value of research with children in order to explore their views and perspectives. In particular, qualitative research methodologies, where children’s experiences are central to understanding the research phenomenon, and to facilitating the exploration of the range of complex issues that interact with a child’s bilingualism.

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This chapter reviews the development of educational policy and practice in Scotland and Norway. The chapter mainly focuses on the public education systems, and the authors examine the historical development of public education in each country, factors that have encouraged democratic access to schools, the development of Early Childhood Education and Care programs, and interactions between schools and their communities. The Chapter encompasses the history of school education and education legislation, the role of the Church in education, an analysis of the democratisation of access to schooling and introduction of democratic systems within schools as a part of the wider democratisation of society; the development of early years education and care, and the relationship between schools and their communities and wider area. The authors highlight the importance of decentralisation of education in Norway, including decisions about appropriate curriculum, to local governing bodies. This has built close linkages between schools and communities with an emphasis on place-based learning.

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