Acting Head Teacher, Papa Westray Primary School - ORK10408
Orkney Islands Council, Aikerness, Orkney Islands
Acting Head Teacher, Papa Westray Primary School - ORK10408
£70,001+
Orkney Islands Council, Aikerness, Orkney Islands
- Full time
- Temporary
Posted 3 days ago, 6 Jun | Get your application in today.
Closing date: 14-06-2026 (In 5 days)
Job ref: ORK10408
Location ref: Aikerness, Orkney Islands
Full Job Description
Advert
Head Teacher
Papa Westray School
35 hours per week
Temporary to 18 June 2027
£74,148
The above amount is from 1 August 2026 and includes Distant Islands and Remote Islands Allowances.
You will be reporting to the Service Manager, Primary Education.
Your working pattern is Monday to Friday. We are happy to talk flexible working where possible.
We are looking for an experienced, committed practitioner, with excellent strategic management skills, to take up the temporary post of Head Teacher for this highly regarded small island school. Papa Westray Community School has a current roll of 7 children from P1-7 and 2 children in nursery.
This post is a ‘teaching-head’ position. Management and planning time is provided by a committed teaching team who travel to Papa Westray on a Monday and Wednesday. The Headteacher is also the registered Nursery Manager for the setting, working closely with the nursery staff to ensure quality provision and social opportunities for all children.
This post will allow an enthusiastic primary school teacher to work with a close-knit team who are passionate about achieving positive outcomes for every child. The nature and size of the school allow an exciting balance of adventurous learning whilst ensuring progression and learning routines.
The School is located in the centre of Papa Westray and enjoys strong support from the wider community. On an annual basis, the school works with a wide variety of local and national partners to ensure that children have opportunities for wider achievement.
You must have a minimum of provisional registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland.
The Head Teacher is also the Early Learning and Childcare (Nursery) manager and as such needs to fulfil the requirements of the Care Inspectorate for registration.
Salary will be based on point 1 of the Head Teacher SNCT Salary Table from 1 August 2026 plus Distant Islands Allowance and Remote Islands Allowance.
The necessary qualification, experience and skills required for this role are detailed in the ‘must have’ section of the attached job profile. These criteria are used for decisions on shortlisting and appointment of applicants.
This post is a regulated role with children and requires Level 2 Disclosure with PVG scheme membership.
Interview expenses are payable for this post, click here for further information. –
Relocation package is available in line with Council Policy for this post, click here for the Relocation Policy.
Applications close at 23:59 on Sunday 14 June 2026 with shortlisting taking place 18 June 2026 and interviews are scheduled for 01 July 2026.
For a discussion about the role, contact Morag Miller - Service Manager, Primary Education at morag.miller@orkney.gov.uk or on .
We would welcome your feedback on our recruitment process.

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About this company
Orkney Islands Council
View full company profileForget images of remote islands - Orkney is well served by superb modern transport links. Forget the idea of a few people in the middle of no-where - Orkney is home to over 20,000 people. Orkney may bring to mind certain images, but the chances are they are, to say the least, a little off the mark. Sure, we're a bit off the beaten track, but the needs of our community are just the same as anywhere else. And, as a result, the opportunities we can offer you are comparable with those you'll find elsewhere. Of course, there are a few differences: for starters Orkney consists of 100,000 hectares spread over 70+ small islands (19 of which are inhabited), so, like our service users, you'll need to make the most of the transportation links which are vital to Orkney's social and economic well-being. Orkney Islands Council may be the smallest local authority in Scotland, but we can offer some big challenges. And big opportunities. This could be your big chance to make the move, and make a difference. OIC has an impact on many aspects of everyday life. With around 1,800 staff, we are also the county’s biggest employer.