Living and Working In

Orkney

EDUCATION & LEISURE SERVICES School Place, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1NY

Tel: (01856) 873535 Fax: (01856) 87 6327

e-mail: education.recreation@orkney.gov.uk www.orkney.gov.uk

Director’s Foreword “Living and working in twenty first century Orkney offers a terrific lifestyle, with a blend of our unique traditions and modern developments and facilities. In education and in everyday life alike, I feel that the people of Orkney enjoy every opportunity and commodity that they would in mainland Scotland, and more. Our transport system has developed vastly in terms of efficiency and affordability over the past few years thus creating a much stronger link with mainland Scotland, for business and for pleasure. Links are further strengthened by technologies which permit first-class communication with our mainland counterparts.

Our schools are well staffed, well resourced and well maintained. Academic attainment is well above the national average, and there are excellent opportunities for youngsters to develop their potential in sport, the arts, culture and outdoor education. All of this bodes extremely well, in my opinion, for anyone wishing to progress their career within Education and Leisure Services and enjoy the quality of life with us here in Orkney.”

Leslie Manson,

Director of Education and Leisure Services

Our vision is to deliver the best possible provision for our children and young people through promoting:

a respected, engaged, motivated and reflective staff involved and informed parents learning that is fit for purpose shared values for the service and community leadership across all levels

The key to our success is flexibility and innovation!

Orkney Schools

Orkney currently has two secondary schools, seventeen primary schools and four junior high schools, where primary pupils can stay on if they wish for the first years of secondary education. Itinerant teachers travel daily by car, plane or ferry to bring specialised subjects to schools in remote communities. The smallest school in Orkney is North Ronaldsay Primary with 2 pupils and the largest is Kirkwall Grammar School with 866 pupils (figures at August 2009). Each of the 23 schools has its own website and these are listed on the following OIC webpage: http://www.orkney.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=9811&tt=orkneyv

Orkney College Orkney College provides a wide range of post compulsory education for the population of Orkney and those coming to the Islands to study and work. Programmes of study range from vocational pathways, broadening the experience of school age young people, all the way through further and higher education to postgraduate qualifications and research. Higher education courses are offered through the College’s partnership in UHI Millennium Institute.

Our mission is to provide learning opportunities across the whole of the community and support local economic development. Further information on what we offer can be found on the College website, www.orkney.uhi.ac.uk.

IT & Communications Orkney schools have first class IT support, as all IT queries are dealt with by the Information Services Team. One of our key priorities has been to improve internet access and connectivity, particularly in our isles schools where this form of communication is essential. An improved three year strategy is therefore being developed to progress this priority. All schools in Orkney are GLOW enabled. We have been one of the first areas in Scotland to introduce a new Management Information System called SEEMIS. This has connected all schools with centrally based staff, enabling increased efficiency in communication and data sharing.

Support for Learners The Support for Learners Sector works with Orkney schools and other partners to ensure that learners of all ages can access a high quality education irrespective of gender, ethnicity, religion, ability, disability or social background. Our partners include Community Social Services, NHS Orkney, Northern Constabulary and the Voluntary Sector. The shared commitment across services and agencies is to deliver a range of integrated services for children and young people.

Our schools and pre-school centres use Staged Intervention for assessing children and young people with additional support needs. Support for school age pupils will normally be co-ordinated through the process of Personal Learning Planning, Individualised Educational Programmes and, if applicable, the use of Co-ordinated Support Plans (or another appropriate Child or Young Person’s Plan).

To ensure an efficient and effective service, some of our services and teams are centrally based and deployed to schools on the assessment of need. Psychological Services operate a Consultancy Model for working with schools and this is closely linked to the deployment of staff within our centrally based Support for Learners Team.

Each School has a key contact within then Children and Families Team who provide an extended specialist family support service for every child or young person who needs it. In Orkney’s three largest schools, additional staffing allocations (e.g. Home School Support Officer and Behaviour Management) assist with delivery of services. In addition, the Support for Learners Team can be deployed to work with schools, families and children and young people. More information about the role and work of the Support for Learners Sector can be found in the local authority publication ‘Education is For All’ which is accessible through the following link: http://www.orkney.gov.uk/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=9174&tt=orkneyv2.

Community Learning and Development The Community Learning and Development (CLD) Service aims to promote lifelong learning for people of all ages and circumstances. Our goal is to ensure that everyone in Orkney has the chance to get involved and play as full a part as possible in their island communities.

Every summer the CLD team produces a newspaper style guide to evening classes and other courses that we run and information on learning in Orkney. Adults facing difficulties with reading, writing and numbers can turn to the Learning Link for help in taking the first steps in improving their lives. Help is also available for those from other countries who wish to improve their spoken or written English.

Opportunities are provided for young people through youth clubs and youth projects run by the CLD team in local schools and community centres. Duke of Edinburgh Awards and Youth Achievement Awards are just two of the ways that young people can get credit for their involvement.

Another way for people to get involved is through the many voluntary organisations and community groups that are active in Orkney. Our community schools and local community halls are at the heart of their communities, providing a place for groups to meet or a venue for weddings and dances. The CLD Service provides support for these groups to help them achieve their aims.

Quality Improvement The Quality Improvement sector works in partnership (with schools, Support for Learners staff, outdoor education, active schools, other agencies and the wider community) to secure improvement in provision for our children and young people from 3 to 18. Each member of the team, (comprising an Assistant Director and 4 Service Improvement Officers) is designated as link officer for a cluster of schools. The school link officer is principally responsible for supporting the head teacher in developing the curriculum, and monitoring and evaluating the work of the schools. The link officer also provides: support with recruitment, learning and teaching advice, information and support for the development of ‘Curriculum for Excellence’ and shares good practice from within and out with Orkney. Schools and staff work closely together in collaborative projects and activities.

As the Quality Improvement team is small, each member has a wide ranging remit including local and national initiatives such as ‘Curriculum for Excellence’, parental involvement, citizenship, technologies and expressive arts. They also share responsibilities in working with the national inspectorate team, probationer and student teachers, the Scottish Qualifications Authority and in continuing professional development across the service.

In recent years there has been a high investment in continuing professional development for staff in schools, providing increased expertise through a more structured programme for developing both the skills and knowledge of staff. Within our small authority, individual needs and aspirations are well met. This increase in teacher skills and in the range of teaching approaches used in classes, such as the use of technology and active learning, has increased the level of enjoyment and engagement of our learners at all stages.

Leisure & Culture Orkney has a diverse range of sport, recreation and leisure facilities, providing activities and services. These are largely operated by Leisure and Culture sector but complemented by local groups and organisations. This includes: 42 Play areas 2 caravan & camping sites 6 Swimming pools (4 isles pools) 2 18-hole golf courses 25 playing fields 3 link based 9-hole courses 3 sports centres 3 hostels 7 Healthy Living Centres 2 outdoor bowling greens 3 Community Schools 2 squash clubs 3 Community Halls 1 skate park 2 Community Centres & Town Halls

The main sports facility is the Pickaquoy Centre, opened in 1999 by HRH The Princess Royal. It includes a Sports Hall, Fitness Room, Health Suite, Café, Bar, Exercise Studio, Indoor Play Area, Cinema, Meeting Rooms, outdoor playing fields and play areas, caravan and campsite.

The Leisure and Culture sector incorporates Active Schools, Sports Development Service and Outdoor Education. Their remit is to support, develop, promote and encourage recreational activities locally.

Arts, Museums and Heritage form the Culture element of the sector. There is a central responsibility for the management of OIC's four Registered Museums, three visitor centres and a range of sites interpreted by panels, as well as St Magnus Cathedral. The Cultural Co-ordinator programme funded by the Scottish Arts Council offers opportunities for young people to see and take part in a broad range of cultural experiences. Arts Development offers advice on issues such as fundraising for arts projects and developing project ideas.

Orkney has two libraries, one in Stromness and the newly built Orkney Library and Archive in central Kirkwall. A wide range of services are on offer besides book loan:

Selection of CDs and DVDs History & Orcadian family roots Free internet access Stories for children Meeting rooms Photographic archive Daily Newspapers and magazines Mobile library services

Orkney Islands Council Orkney Islands Council is the nerve centre that provides services to every corner of the islands, thus having an impact on numerous aspects of everyday life. Many OIC staff work in the Council Offices situated in central Kirkwall, with many more OIC employees working all over Orkney. Recently renovated, the School Place building now incorporates a modern and accessible Customer Services section where members of the public can access any number of the Council’s services in one visit.

OIC is committed to providing a quality service and constantly strives to improve. Despite being Britain’s smallest local authority, the seven Services that constitute OIC work hard to ensure that every need of the public is met.

Efficient Government The Joint Working in Orkney Programme has been established between Orkney Islands Council and NHS Orkney, as part of the Scottish Government’s Efficient Government Initiative. A study is currently underway to analyze areas of both organisations where non-core services could be provided on a joint basis. The aim is to improve efficiency in the management and delivery of support services, whilst guaranteeing Orkney’s autonomy for the future.

Investing in Education As part of the Joint Working in Orkney Programme, the Scottish Government has recently agreed Orkney Islands Council’s Revised Outline Business Case for £50m investment in the Council’s schools estate. The Schools Investment Programme means that OIC will have funding to provide a new Kirkwall Grammar School, a new Stromness Primary School, new halls of residence and a new swimming pool. These facilities are expected to be finished by 2012, which is an exciting development for the people of Orkney.

Amenities Kirkwall, the main town in Orkney has a population of 7,500 and offers all the amenities that you would expect in a small Scottish town. An ever increasing range of shops, banks, building societies, supermarkets, cafés and local businesses cater for every need. There are many small grocery stores, banks and post offices scattered across the Orkney mainland and isles. The brand new Orkney Library has a wide selection of books, DVDs, CDs and offers free internet access. It also sends Library Vans out all around Orkney.

Healthcare NHS Orkney manages fifteen GP surgeries across the isles and one main hospital situated in Kirkwall. Community nursing teams visit patients at home, with some specialising in needs such as psychiatry. Orkney has four dental practices, an optometrist, a Health Promotion Service and three pharmacies. A state of the art fitness suite at the Pickaquoy Centre promotes health and wellbeing with numerous packages available to members. Seven newly constructed Healthy Living Centres across Orkney assist in providing first-rate access to gym facilities. There are six swimming pools in Orkney and funding is in place for a new six lane competition pool with moveable floor and leisure enhancements including a teaching/training pool with beach area.

Transport The transport infrastructure is vital to island life. Residents’ discounts make travelling from the Orkney affordable and convenient. Northlink Ferries offer a 30% Islander discount on registration for residents. Northlink Ferries operate between Stromness and Scrabster three times daily and between Kirkwall and Aberdeen every second day. Pentland Ferries provides a vehicle and passenger service from St Margaret’s Hope to Gills Bay in Caithness three times daily. Their new catamaran ship completes this journey in just 45 minutes. During the Summer John O’ Groats ferry offers a day trip service between Kirkwall and Inverness, providing daily access to an extensive range of high street shops. With the Air Discount Scheme, card holders can claim 40% off all flights to the Scottish Mainland. Flybe operates daily flights to Inverness, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow airports. Loganair operates all internal flights around the Orkney Islands. Regular buses around Orkney mainland operate from the newly constructed Kirkwall Travel Centre, situated a five minute walk from the harbour where the Orkney Ferries fleet leave daily for the North Isles. School transport is arranged by the Education Department for every school. School transport can by provided by bus, ferry and plane for Orkney pupils. There are also sixteen School Crossing Patrol sites provided for children who walk to and from school.

Entertainment The numerous bars, pubs and a nightclub offer exciting weekend nightlife for those who like the bright lights. Island and Parish communities regularly hold dances with traditional music, where young and old join together to enjoy a dram and celebrate Orkney’s rich folk history. Hotels and restaurants across the towns and in the country serve award winning food and drink, made from the finest local produce. Orkney is popular location for festivals, with the Folk, Jazz and Science Festivals held annually. The St Magnus Festival in June offers a feast of visiting and local music, art, literature and drama. The Agricultural shows every August bring out the county’s finest animals, with the County Show marking the unofficial end of the Orkney Summer.

There are many more sport and leisure clubs in Orkney, including a Riding Club, a Rugby Club, a Rambling Club, Darts Leagues, a Voluntary Action Group and many more. Further information can be found on the Orkney Communities website: www.orkneycommunities.co.uk

Annual EventsJanuary August 1st The Ba’ Agricultural Shows

Orkney Beer Festival The Boys’ Ploughing Match March

Scarecrow Festival Orkney Blues Festival April September Orkney Jazz Festival Orkney International Science Festival

Westray Bis Geos Half Marathon OAYC: FIT 4 IT Orkney Middle Distance Triathlon Orkney Blues Festival May

Orkney Rugby Club 7s Orkney Folk Festival October Norweigian Constitution Day Harvest Home Celebrations June November School Sports Days Bonfire and torch procession Hoy Half Marathon St Magnus Festival December Orkney Riding Club Show First Saturday - Norwegian Tree Lighting

24th Watchnight church services Orkney Fine Wine Festival 25th Christmas day church services 25th The Ba’ July

Sailing Club Regattas Stromness Shopping Week

Renewable Energy A county traditionally based on farming and fishing, Orkney has now developed diverse ways of living from its natural resources. Renewable energy derived from wind and water, natural fertiliser manufactured from kelp and bio-diesel are all in production in Orkney. The International Centre for Island Technology is based in Stromness, offering the opportunity to carry out advanced research and postgraduate training on renewable energy. Work in the sector carried out at The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) has placed Orkney at the forefront of modern technology not only in Scotland but worldwide.

Tourism The natural beauty, history and culture of the isles are not only enjoyed only by residents as Orkney attracts tourists from all over the world. Tourism has become one of the main employers in the islands now, from arts and crafts to bed and breakfasts. Cruise liners regularly come in to Kirkwall, where tourists can enjoy spending a day in the many local shops and cafés and admiring the prominent St Magnus Cathedral.

Trades The construction and trades industries employ a great number of Orkney residents as the county continues to grow and improve its housing and amenities. With more than twenty companies in construction alone, there are many employment opportunities for those who wish to start or continue their career in this sector. Orkney College provides access to training and personal development with courses in building, business, agriculture, care and many more.