head of education

the role

Join our Extended Corporate Leadership Team and shape education across Orkney. You'll lead service delivery and development for all age groups, working with committed teams to maintain high standards and drive improvement.

Your remit would span schools, Early Learning and Childcare, and further and higher education through UHI Orkney - giving you oversight of the complete educational journey.

what we offer

key responsibilities

You'll provide leadership across all aspects of education delivery, working with dedicated professionals and stakeholders to:

• • Provide strategic leadership for education services across all sectors
• • Lead transformational change and service improvement initiatives
• • Manage operational and strategic budgets effectively
• • Build partnerships with unions, communities, and external stakeholders
• • Navigate political environments and support democratic decision-making
• • Oversee quality assurance and inspection processes
• • Drive continuous improvement in educational outcomes
• • Champion professional development and innovation in practice

ideal candidate

We're seeking an experienced education leader with proven senior management credentials. You'll be GTCS registered with a strong record in service improvement, change management, and collaborative leadership.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact James Wylie, Director of Education, Communities and Housing at james.wylie@orkney.gov.uk

beyond the classroom

Education here extends well beyond traditional settings, with many opportunities for outdoor learning, cultural engagement, and community connection across all age groups.

early learning & childcare

Our youngest learners experience quality early years provision that embraces the island environment. Children explore beaches, gardens, and heritage sites as natural extensions of their learning, creating smooth transitions into primary education.

sports and activities

Dramatic coastlines and open countryside provide natural venues for distinctive sporting opportunities. The annual North Isles Sports unites schools across the archipelago, while our coastal location enables sea swimming and water sports. Students also pursue Duke of Edinburgh Awards, using Orkney's landscapes to build leadership skills and resilience.

music and culture

Orkney's cultural heritage comes alive through traditional music tuition that blends contemporary, classical and local repertoire. The internationally celebrated Hadhirgaan youth project at Kirkwall Grammar School exemplifies this excellence - over three decades, hundreds of young musicians have been part of this acclaimed ensemble, with many going on to become well-known Orcadian musicians.

Drama productions often incorporate island history, while partnerships with arts organisations connect students with professional musicians, artists, and storytellers.

further & higher education

UHI Orkney operates as both college and university, offering pathways from foundation courses through to PhD studies. As part of the University of the Highlands and Islands, it provides research opportunities alongside practical vocational training, with innovative programmes in renewable energy and archaeology.