Head Teacher sought for Orkney’s “Queen o’ the Isles”

Orkney’s “Queen o’ the Isles” – Westray – is a very special community and the Council is seeking an equally special person to lead the island’s school. 

An opportunity has arisen for a Head Teacher at the Junior High School, which has a current school roll of just under 80 pupils aged from 3-16, a committed staff team of 17, and, in addition, a number of visiting itinerant teachers. 

Westray – one of Orkney’s North Isles - is a thriving, forward-thinking community, but equally the near 600 residents are proud of their history and heritage. 

Although vibrant with plenty going on, Westray, which is around 18 square miles in size, hasn’t lost any sense of island charm – as many visitors will pay testament to, visit once and you will return time and again. 

Stunning sea cliffs, sandy beaches, an array of local businesses and a rich history can be found on Westray. One of the most fascinating finds uncovered in Orkney in recent memory was a tiny carved sandstone figurine found at the Links of Noltland excavation in 2009 known as ‘the Orkney Venus’ (or locally as ‘the Westray Wife’). It’s the earliest representation of a human found in Scotland and is on display at the island’s excellent Heritage Centre in Pierowall. 

If you enjoy wildlife then Westray is a haven – many return time and again to witness the puffin and other seabird colonies. There’s a 9-hole golf course, art galleries, excellent food producers, a hotel, bistro, café, chippy, several shops, GP surgery, youth groups and club, a play park and play group…the list goes on. 

Key to the island’s success and at the heart of the community is the island’s school which sits within the village of Pierowall. 

Louise Harcus has been a teacher at the school for more than 20 years and shares what she believes makes the island and school so special. 

“The reason I get up every morning and come to work is the love I have for teaching the children, seeing how excited they are about learning and supporting and building relationships with their families. 

“I have taught my own children, nieces, nephews, friends' children and I recently started teaching my second generation of children which is part and parcel of living and working in a small community. 

“We are a fairly unique school in that we have three departments, from nursery, primary through to secondary, all requiring time and support from a Head Teacher. Living on an island we do face challenges, but our children are resilient and the staff team very flexible to allow for situations that may arise, for example if an itinerant teacher cannot get here due to the weather and we need to bridge that gap.” 

The Principal Teacher added: “We all know a school plays a really important part in any community and we have some really strong links here with local businesses, the care home and churches and for anyone living and working here it is important to value that and get involved. 

“I am so proud of all the pupils in our school whether they have gone on to further education away or started working within a local business – it's all about nurturing them to achieve their own personal goals whatever they may be. A great example of this is that both our practitioners in the nursery were pupils at the school, they did their training in Orkney and returned to work here – there's surely no better advert for coming to work at Westray Junior High School than that!” 

Adjacent to the school is a Healthy Living Centre, incorporating a modern fitness suite and swimming pool. The school also serves as a Community Centre, with very good facilities well used by both pupils and island residents. The school enjoys support from its active Parent Council and community. 

Links with other schools and UHI Orkney, our tertiary education provider, are constantly being developed and children’s experiences are enhanced in a variety of other ways with an aim to provide equity of provision for all young people in Westray. 

In addition to the salary of just over £76k, a generous relocation package will be available. 

Find out more about Westray via https://www.orkney.com/explore/westray 

Further information about the school can be found on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/WestraySchool/ 

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 or apply directly here https://ift.tt/bEJch0G 

The closing date for applications is 28 April 2024.