North o’ the Galt lass to take up the helm as Headteacher at Westray School

Julie Muir’s appointment as Headteacher of Westray Junior High School will see the Sanday lass returning to her North Isles roots! 

Julie – who has spent nearly 30 years ‘learning’ within the teaching profession, most recently at Papdale Primary School - is confident that her North o’ the Galt upbringing will stand her in good stead for the unique junior high school role. 

She said: “My parents are from Sanday and Stronsay, they met when they went to the school in the toon. We lived in Sanday, and I attended Sanday Junior High School. Friendships and learning relationships from that time are a very influential and special part of my life. 

“I will be the Headteacher of Westray Junior High School at the start of the new academic session in August 2024. Wow! To see it in writing makes me feel like a bairn again. It reminds me of the Headteachers and school teams I met at regular North Isles and "toon" activities when I was peedie. I feel like it's our generation's turn to make sure the North Isles junior high school experience meets the needs of the next generations.” 

Julie completed an Honours Degree in Teaching in Aberdeen before taking up a teaching post at Papdale.  

“Relationships with colleagues were a fundamentally important part of learning how to work well as a teacher. I've never stopped learning from colleagues, pupils and their families. 

“Over the past 28 years I have continued to study at post-graduate level. Marrying the theory and practice of education together has always inspired me. I continued to develop my skills with colleagues and learners at schools in Stenness and Glaitness.” 

Julie was Depute Headteacher at Glaitness for nearly ten years and, with the encouragement of colleagues in leadership, she began to consider the way in which educators can create and deliver the learning experiences needed by our young folk for their fast-changing futures. 

“As a result, I spent a year away from the classroom, finding out how young folk follow career paths out with tertiary (University or College) education. I was inspired and knew the next step for me was to keep adapting the learning in schools, so we prepare our young folk well for their futures. After that experience, I felt ready to become the Headteacher of a team who value everything local while learning globally.  

“Life is full of twists and turns though, and rehabilitation from an accident delayed the process of seeking a Headship. For the past six years I have been teaching at Papdale again. I've continued to grow as a teacher, implementing the curriculum-design I value. I have seen the relentless energy and effort given by school teams in this time of financial difficulty. It is incredible. I've been part of it, and plan to use my understanding wisely in Westray.” 

Julie is keen to work alongside the other North Isles schools. 

“Each island is unique, but there's a strength that comes from working together creatively. I decided to go for the Westray job after re-visiting in early May to contemplate what Keith (my husband) and I would bring to the community. 

“The exciting part, for us, is that we are able to live in Westray and become part of a dynamic, forward-thinking community. I feel energised when I'm around folk who examine a problem and immediately start working out solutions and ways forward.” 

Julie is honoured to have been chosen as the island’s Headteacher and has every intention of working hard to show the school and community that their trust is well placed in her. 

“My priority is to listen to everyone who is invested in the school. Sometimes the journey of learning is messy, uncertain and full of questions. However, it is those experiences which lead to the most progress. I want us to find ways forward in every situation. I want us to be flexible and adaptive, and to deepen our trust in each other.” 

The couple will move to Westray in the summer and look forward to opening their home to their visiting children, wider family and friends looking to spend a holiday on the Queen o’ the Isles! 

Chair of the Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer said: “Many congratulations to Julie on her well-deserved appointment and new chapter living and working in Westray – I am sure the community will welcome a fellow ‘North o’ the Galt’ lass with open arms! 

“We now have three strong women leading our junior high schools – Julie at Westray, Kristen Muir in Sanday and Petra McLay at Stronsay - each bringing individual strengths and when those strengths are brought together this will be a formidable team for the North Isles. I look forward to watching them work together for the benefit of all schools.”