Head Teacher sought for Orkney’s Stromness Primary School

Stromness Primary School in Orkney is seeking a new Head Teacher to lead a “small school with a big heart!”

A vibrant and lively school with six primary classes and an early years nursery setting, the school is housed in a modern building located at the head of Hamnavoe in the historic town of Stromness, Orkney’s capital of the West Mainland!

With a school roll of around 125 pupils, the children are taught using the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence, Experiences and Outcomes.

Stromness Nursery strives to offer a nurturing environment in which children are able to learn through following their interests, being curious and creative in their play inside and out.

To facilitate this, they offer a wide range of open-ended resources and interesting spaces to explore, lots of opportunities for social development and through sensitive interactions with the practitioners in the nursery.

The Parent Council is made up of parents who volunteer to support the school and represent the wider Parent Forum. There are currently 16 members of the Parent Council representing each class and early learning.

They recently assisted in the creation of a new website for the school – a raft of information can be found at Stromness Primary School (stromnessps.uk).

Dan Lee, Chair of the Parent Council at Stromness Primary School, said: “Stromness is a great place to live and work with this vibrant primary school at its heart. The creativity and talent at the school has shone through the recent concerts and performances. It’s been so important to get the wide range of activities at the school back on track after the last few years - we've certainly done that!

“The Parent Council works closely with the Head Teacher to support learning, activities and communication, including the new website. We want to help the new head identify priorities and continue to nurture the positive learning environment at the school for pupils, parents and staff. Come and join us!”

The Parent Council also recently supported the school with Seesaw subscriptions, iPad hard cases, netball kits, new magazines, teacher resources, playground activity boxes (chosen by pupils), balance bikes for bikeability training, P7 leaving trip and picnic benches for the playground.

They are currently working on embedding safer routes to schools within the school community.

Parent Council member and parent Elaine Richardson added: “Stromness Primary School sits in a unique location which offers pupils and staff inspiring views from every classroom. Pupils thrive in this environment where outdoor learning opportunities are right on their doorstep.”

Elspeth McLellan, Parent Council member, added:  "I’m very proud of my strong connection to Stromness Primary School.  It’s where I went to school (albeit not the superb new school!), both my children have schooled here and I’ve had the pleasure of serving on the Parent Council for the last 13 years.

“Our school is family friendly, and this is never more apparent than when we open the doors at the annual Winter Fayre which has become a firm fixture for the local crafters/sellers across Orkney. Having organised 15 fayres, over the years at the school, I just love the buzz throughout the school and how the staff, parents, children and local community all come together for this fundraising event and lovely family day."

But it’s not just the school that has so much to offer – there’s the wider community as well!

Time and again Orkney is voted one of the best and happiest places to live in the country. The islands offer the complete package boasting a rich heritage, landscapes, beaches, wildlife, a thriving food and drink sector, world leading energy innovation and a lifestyle that is second to none!

For those of us lucky enough to already live here, we are more than aware of how special our islands are, but if you are looking for a new role in a fabulous location, then look no further!

We have a number of reasons why you should “Join Us”!

• A lifestyle that is second to none ✔
• Voted the best and happiest place to live year after year ✔
• Low crime rate and a safe place to settle ✔

Stromness – the main town in the West which is nestled under Brinkie’s Brae 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.

Alongside, the swimming pool, gym and squash courts, a well-stocked library, golf course, GP surgery, cafes, bars, Stromness Primary School and Stromness Academy are at the heart of the community.

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

The job advert can be viewed at https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/councils/orkney-islands-council/jobs/head-teacher-stromness-primary-school-331238

For a discussion about the post, or for further information about living and working in Orkney, please contact Morag Miller, Service Manager Primary Education by email: morag.miller@orkney.gov.uk 

The closing date for applications is Wednesday 7 June.