Head Teacher sought for Orkney’s Stromness Academy

Stromness Academy is seeking a new Head Teacher to lead a “small school that delivers a lot!”

The exciting opportunity has arisen at the academy, which caters for around 350 students from S1-6 covering Orkney’s West Mainland – an area world renowned for archaeological treasures such as Skara Brae, the Ring of Bordgar, Maeshowe, the Ness of Brodgar – the list goes on.

Stromness – the main town in the West which is nestled under Brinkie’s Brae and sits by the sea – has a rich and long maritime history – a safe haven in Viking times, a whaling and herring fishing port, a base for divers and a ferry gateway to Scotland.

The town, which has a population of around 2,000, has beautiful winding flagstone streets, lanes, piers and slipways but combined with that timeless feel, it’s also home to much of the pioneering renewable energy industry in the islands.

It has always been a centre for the arts, providing plenty of inspiration for its creative community. The world-renowned Pier Arts Centre takes pride of place on the street alongside other galleries and artist studios and, of course, the Stromness Museum.

The Orkney Folk and Orkney Blues Festivals have become popular events, alongside the annual Stromness Shopping Week gala.

Alongside, the swimming pool, gym and squash courts, a well-stocked library, golf course, GP surgery, cafes, bars, the academy is at the heart of the community.

The school committed staff team are based within a well-appointed campus in Stromness, in Orkney, which is time and again voted the best place in the UK to bring up children. The catchment area covers Stromness and the West Mainland, plus the islands of Hoy and Graemsay, a dispersed population with over two thirds of pupils travelling in by bus or ferry.

The school enjoys support from its active Parent Council and community.

The Orkney Offer, which provides access to courses at campuses across Orkney, means there is an impressively rich variety of courses available to pupils.

Don’t just take our word for how special the school is, read more here: https://www.orkney.gov.uk/News?postid=6620 https://www.orkney.gov.uk/News?postid=6621

Find out more about Stromness here https://www.orkney.com/explore/stromness

Further information about the school and our activities can be found at https://www.facebook.com/stromnessacademy/ or on www.stromnessacademy.org.uk

The job advert can be viewed here: https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/councils/orkney-islands-council/jobs/head-teacher-stromness-academy-283860

For a discussion about the post, or for further information about living and working in Orkney, please contact Jane Partridge, Head Teacher/Service Manager on jane.partridge@glow.orkneyschools.org.uk

The closing date for applications is 25 October 2022.