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School strikes update - impacts on schools as at Friday 24 February

Date: 24 February 2023

Industrial action by teachers unions is expected to impact on Orkney’s schools next week.

The national pay award negotiations between Scottish Government, COSLA and the Teaching Unions have not yet led to an agreement.

At the moment, the Councils Education service is preparing for disruption, and school closures, on Tuesday 28 February and Wednesday 1 March.

James Wylie, Corporate Director of Education, Leisure and Housing, said: “We have been working with head teachers to assess impact in each school, taking into account a range of factors, including the need to provide a safe environment for children and young people.

“Where possible we will be seeking to minimise the impact on learning.”

Parents are being notified through their child’s school about the likelihood of closure, and alerting them to the need to make alternate childcare plans on the days their child(ren)s school will be affected.

For isles students, Papdale Halls of Residence will remain open.

For students at KGS or Stromness Academy, who would be expecting to attend Orkney College, the college will be open but there will be no school transport.

Further strike action is expected in March and April.

The situation as at 4pm on 23 February is below:

Willow Tree Nursery 

  • Tues 28 Feb - Open.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Open.

Strynd Nursery:

  • Tues 28 Feb - Open.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Open.

Burray Primary School

  • Tues 28 Feb: P1-3 closed, P4 – P7 open. 
  • Wed 1 Mar: P1-3 closed, P4 – P7 open.


Burray Nursery

  • Tues 28 Feb - Open.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Open.


Dounby Primary School

  • Tues 28 Feb Closed.
  • Wed 1 Mar: Closed.


Dounby Nursery

  • Tues 28 Feb - Open.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Open.


Eday Primary School & Nursery

  • Tues 28 Feb - Open.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Open.


Evie Primary School

  • Tues 28 Feb - Closed.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Closed.


Evie Nursery

  • Tues 28 Feb  - Closed.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Closed.


Firth Primary School

  • Tues 28 Feb - Closed.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Closed.


Firth Nursery

  • Tues 28 Feb - Closed.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Closed.

Flotta Primary School

  • Tues 28 Feb - Closed.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Closed.


Glaitness School

  • Tues 28 Feb - Closed.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Closed.

Glaitness School Nursery

  • Tues 28 Feb - Open.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Open.


Hope Primary School

  • Tues 28 Feb - Closed.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Closed.


Hope Nursery

  • Tues 28 Feb - Open.
  • Wed 1 Mar -  Open.

North Ronaldsay Primary School

  • Tues 28 Feb - Open.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Open.


North Walls Community School

  • Tues 28 Feb: P1 - 4 closed, P5 - 7 open. 
  • Wed 1 Mar - Closed.


North Walls Nursery

  • Tues 28 Feb - Open.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Open.


Orphir Primary School & Nursery

  • Tues 28 Feb - Closed.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Closed.


Papa Westray Primary School

  • Tues 28 Feb - Open.
  • Wed 1 Mar -  Closed.


Papa Westray Nursery

  • Tues 28 Feb - Open.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Open.


Papdale Primary School

  • Tues 28 Feb - Closed.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Closed.

Papdale Nursery

  • Tues 28 Feb - Open.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Open.


Rousay Primary School & Nursery

  • Tues 28 Feb - Open to Nursery and P1-4 only.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Open to Nursery and P1-4 only.


St Andrews Primary School

  • Tues 28 Feb - Closed.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Closed.


St Andrews Nursery

  • Tues 28 Feb - Open.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Open.

Shapinsay Primary School

  • Tues 28 Feb: P1 - 4 open, P5 - 7 closed.
  • Wed 1 Mar: Closed.


Shapinsay Nursery

  • Tues 28 Feb - Open.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Open.


Stenness Primary School & Nursery

  • Tues 28 Feb - Closed.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Closed.


Stromness Primary School

  • Tues 28 Feb - Closed.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Closed.


Stromness Primary Nursery

  • Tues 28 Feb - Open.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Open.


Sanday Junior High School

  • Tues 28 Feb: P5-P7 & S4 Open; P1-P4 & S1-S3 Closed.
  • Wed 1 Mar: P5-P7 & S4 Open; P1-P4 & S1-S3 Closed.


Sanday Nursery

  • Tues 28 Feb - Open.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Open.

Stronsay Junior High School & Nursery

  • Tues 28 Feb: Open for secondary and nursery. Closed for primary.
  • Wed 1 Mar: Open for secondary and nursery. Closed for primary.

Westray Junior High School

  • Tues 28 Feb - Closed.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Closed.

Westray Nursery

  • Tues 28 Feb - Open.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Open.

Kirkwall Grammar School

  • Tues 28 Feb - Closed.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Closed.

Stromness Academy

  • Tues 28 Feb - Closed.
  • Wed 1 Mar - Closed.
  • Category:
    • Education