Staff and pupils share reasons why Westray School is so special in search for new Head

The thought of experiencing island life drew the Central Belt’s Rosalind Rendall to accept a teaching post at Westray Junior High School in 2009.

Despite only intending to stay for a couple of years, “Rozi” as she is known affectionately, met and married a local man and this will be her 14th academic year when the school returns after the summer holidays.

There are many reasons why Rozi has chosen to make Westray her home – and life at the school, which is the heart of the community – is one of them.

“The Westray School was a welcoming place from day one. The pupils, and the school community went out of their way to look after me, and another young teacher who had moved from Stirling,” she said.

“From the start the sense of community, and of belonging was felt. There is a respect for teachers on Westray that is maybe missing in larger communities. The teachers also respect the pupils, and this makes for a lovely learning environment.”

On arriving, Rozi was a Teacher of French, PSE, and Global Citizenship at Westray and soon discovered that working in an island school is never dull.

“Every day brings something new. We are reliant on itinerant teachers especially for a lot of our expressive arts subjects. Sometimes the plane does not come, class cover is required, and all of a sudden you find yourself teaching music, or PE, or geography.  I see this is a positive – for it means you are always learning as a teacher at the Westray School and has definitely helped me to hone my solution-oriented approach to challenges, allowing me to evolve as a person, and as a practitioner.”

There’s a great sense of partnership working within the community. For example, Cooke Aquaculture and the Westray Development Trust are two very generous sponsors of the school, having donated large sums of money to provide pupils with playground equipment (Cooke Aquaculture), and IT equipment and books (WDT).

“As a secondary teacher I have also been able to build links with the other two junior highs on Stronsay and Sanday, Kirkwall Grammar School, Stromness Academy, and University of Highlands and Islands Orkney College Campus.

“This has allowed the pupils at the school to participate where possible in courses that are not offered at the Westray School.  The Primary and Early Years Departments have strong links with other equivalents throughout Orkney and brings me to another reason why I love my job. You see children begin nursery at 2 or 3 years old, and we can be part of their school career until they leave at the end of S4.  Even then we do not close the doors on our young people.  We are still here to help them and support them if we can.  This positive way of working, and really getting to know the children and young people with whom we work, and their families, is a massive privilege.”

Rozi cannot stress how important it is for the island school to have a strong and effective leader to continue the strong foundations that are in place but also to ensure that the school continues to move forward and meet the challenges of the 21^st Century.

The importance of a good school within a small island community cannot be underestimated, she continued.

“We want a Head Teacher to continue to inspire and lead our school community. Of course, there are also challenges with this role, but these can also be its strengths. A Head Teacher is responsible for the management of all departments, from Early Years to Secondary and transition to positive future destinations for young people at the end of S4.

“However, there is a great team of staff within each department supported by our Support for Learning Workers, and our Admin Team. We need a leader who will continue to motivate staff, who will ensure that staff can build upon their skills and knowledge to impact positively on the pupils, and to ensure that each department works flexibly and in partnership with each other.

“A good leader will also ensure that all members of the staff feel valued. This is incredibly important in a small school where one teacher is responsible for teaching a subject/subjects and does not have a department with whom they can share good practice etc.  We are a melting pot of different teaching experiences, life experiences, skills, and talents, and this is to be celebrated, and supported.

“Each member of the school community is working towards the same goal; we want the best for every child and young person who attends our school, and we want school to be a positive experience for all.”

Gina Rendall is Early Years Lead Practitioner at the school where she has worked for the past 11.5 years. She also has three children at the school.

She said: “Come for the bairns! They are fantastic youngsters who deserve the best school experience from Early Years right through to 4th year. You get to see their journey and be part of it. I work in Early Years but still feel invested in their journey right through to 4th year and beyond. That's the real privilege we have in a Junior High School in a small community."

Pupil Tommy, 7, added: “It's so much fun, outside and learning through play is the best parts.”

Asked what he likes about the Westray School another pupil Louis, 7, said: “Everything”.

Louis added: “Playing, my friends, my teachers, the park, the school dinners especially the fish, fun, learning through play, the Daily Mile, Euan’s Wood.”

Relocating to Westray may also come as a massive change for some.

The island – known as the Queen o’ the Isles - is around 18 square miles and has a population of under 600 but it is a thriving hub of activity.

There are three very well stocked shops, a hotel, bistro, café, art galleries and a designer knitwear and gift shop, fish and chip shop, GP surgery, golf course, Heritage Centre, local charity shop, youth groups and clubs, a play group…the list goes on.

There’s always lots to do from dances to coffee mornings to beach or cliff top walks – Noup Head is a haven for seabird colonies and Westray boats some of the best viewing points for puffins.

For parents, Westray is a very safe place for children to grow up. There is a great play park adjacent to the school, many great beaches, and children have a freedom that is not found in larger towns and cities.

Sport, Drama, Music, and Art are all very important to the island, and opportunities exist for the children and young people to participate in these fields.

Find out more about Westray via the official Westray and Papa Westray website.

Further information about the school can be found on the school website www.westrayjuniorhighschool.co.uk or their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/WestraySchool/

The job advert can be viewed here: https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/councils/orkney-islands-council/jobs/head-teacher-westray-junior-high-school-288032

Prospective applicants are invited to discuss the post by contacting Jane Partridge, Service Manager (Secondary and Tertiary Education), e-mail jane.partridge@glow.orkneyschools.org.uk

The closing date for applications is Sunday 21 August 2022.