From Somerset to Orkney – pupil shares “love” for tiny island school in hunt for new Head Teacher

Leaving a 200-pupil school at the other end of the country to set up home on the tiny island of Papa Westray, hasn’t phased 10-year-old Eva!

She has settled into life on Papay, as it is known locally, like the proverbial duck to water – just as well given the island measures only four miles long and a mile across as its widest point.

Eva and her family relocated to one of Orkney’s smallest islands in October, 2022. They live in a large house close to the beach – although everyone is relatively close to a beach on Papay!

She was taught in a class of around 30 in her Somerset town school – in stark contrast to her composite class now of just five. In total there’s nine nursery and primary children at the school.

Eva cannot praise her new life highly enough and the best bit – “I love the school!” she says.

“Everyone has been really welcoming and friendly, not just at the school but the whole island. They were very supportive and helped a lot. The school is just like a small family. When I first walked into the classroom I was blown away as there’s so many cool things – a library with so many books, you have your own desk with compartments and a mini kitchen where you can make stuff.

“The teachers and staff here are very funny – they love to make jokes and they are smart. I enjoy the work they set us – it’s at your stage; they know what we need.

“On Mondays we have a teacher from Westray who does Science and French and every Wednesday different ones come to do art, music and PE. PE is my favourite.

“There’s a small shop on the island but it sells lots of different things. On weekends we go for walks and any events that are on.”

She’s looking forward to the summer months, swimming, kayaking and visiting the other islands.

To any potential applicants for the Head Teacher post, Eva said: “The people here are welcoming, we would love if you applied for the job, and we hope you would enjoy it here on Papay. The pupils are the best!”

Find out more about Papay here https://www.orkney.com/explore/papa-westray or www.papawestray.co.uk

Further information about the school and our activities can be found at https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/or/papay/

The job advert can be viewed here: https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/councils/orkney-islands-council/jobs/head-teacher-papa-westray-primary-school-317431

The closing date for applications is Sunday 5 March 2023.

Full story here: https://www.orkney.gov.uk/News?postid=7140