Step closer for all schools to teach Cornish language
The language now reaches over 8,000 primary school children in 51 schools
The opportunity for Kernewek, the Cornish language, being taught in all schools in Cornwall took a step forward on Wednesday, March 26 when Anna Gelderd MP delivered a ‘ten minute rule bill’ in Parliament calling for Cornish to have equal status to the other four Celtic languages of the UK.
Through initiatives such as Go Cornish, the language now reaches over 8,000 primary school children in 51 schools, including Dobwalls Community Primary and Menheniot Primary School in Ms Gelderd’s South East Cornwall constituency. The MP, backed by Cornwall’s five other MPs, would like to see children being able to learn Kernewek in all primary schools. She pointed out that Cornish is still not formally embedded in secondary or higher education.
She said her bid to bring in a Cornish Language and Heritage (Education and Recognition) bill is “not just about preserving the Cornish language, it is about protecting a cultural identity that is woven into the fabric of Cornwall’s past, present and our future. Cornish can be traced back 4,000 years. Over that time, Cornish speakers were driven further west due to conflicts and invasions from Europe, but it was our fishermen who kept the language alive until it faded in the 18th century. Despite this, Cornish was officially recognised as a regional language by the UK government in 2002 under part 2 of the European charter for regional or minority languages.
“This was a landmark moment, affirming that Cornish – alongside Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Irish, Scots and Ulster Scots – is a language to be protected and promoted. The UK government have committed to supporting those languages, yet Cornish remains at part 2 status while four of the other five Celtic languages have part 3 protection, which offers stronger commitments in areas such as education, public life and the media.”
In November 2024, the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages issued recommendations urging the Government to take stronger measures to support minority languages, including enhancing educational provision and promoting language awareness. Ms Gelderd said her bill would work in “lockstep” with those recommendations and strengthen the UK’s commitment to linguistic diversity.
She told fellow MPs that recognition of Kernewek is growing, but it needs sustained support, highlighting that Cornwall Council and the Cornish National Minority Working Group have championed its survival.
“A GCSE in Cornish once existed, but was discontinued in 1996. The option to learn should always be available and the Government’s own charter commitments state that minority language education should be strengthened, and we must ensure that learning Cornish is a viable, accessible option – not a requirement, but a choice for those who wish to engage with their cultural heritage,” added M Gelderd.
“Teaching Cornish should not be an added burden for overstretched schools, but rather an exciting opportunity for students who wish to learn. The Go Cornish programme proves that effective teaching can be done without increasing teacher workload, as it provides structured resources, sound files and low administration learning models. It aligns with Ofsted’s cultural capital framework, which encourages schools to celebrate cultural traditions and histories.”
She told the Commons that beyond schools, there must be provision to provide lifelong learning opportunities. “At present, hundreds of people sign up for Kernewek classes each year, and universities such as Exeter and Cambridge have previously offered Kernewek courses. If Welsh and Gaelic can be successfully integrated into higher education, why not Cornish?
“Language visibility in public life is crucial for its survival. Currently, Cornish does not have official status in Cornwall, nor is there any legislative requirement for its promotion. However, Cornwall Council has worked hard since 2013 to implement a strategy promoting the language. I want to see this work and local efforts strengthened by increasing the use of Cornish in road signs, place names and public services.”
She stressed that supporting Cornish in public life is not about excluding English but about embracing bilingualism “as a strength”, adding: “We have seen this work successfully in Wales and Scotland, and Cornwall should not be left behind. Supporting Cornish language and heritage is not just a cultural necessity; it also makes economic sense. Research commissioned by Glasgow City Council in 2022 found that Gaelic contributed £21.6 million to Glasgow’s economy through tourism, cultural events and branding. Cornwall has its own recognised identity and we have the same potential.”
Ms Gelderd finished her speech by saying: “Cornish is more than just words. It is a link to our history, our stories, our identity and our future. The promotion of Cornish language and heritage is about ensuring that Cornwall’s culture and language have the recognition they deserve, and the support to flourish for generations to come. My a generth pubonan dhe dhyski nebes Kernewek. I encourage everyone to learn some Cornish. Meur ras. Thank you.”
Supported by fellow Cornish MPs Jayne Kirkham, Noah Law, Perran Moon, Andrew George and Ben Maguire, Ms Gelderd’s bill will be read a second time on Friday, June 20.
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