Orkney Islands
22 schools · 17 primary · 2 secondary · 10 open teaching jobs
Orkney Islands is one of Scotland's 33 local authorities (councils), responsible for 22 state schools — 17 primary, 2 secondary, educating around 2,614 pupils with 228 full-time-equivalent teachers. In 2024-25, Orkney Islands spent around £12,194 per primary pupil and £15,253 per secondary pupil — above the Scotland averages of £7,606 and £9,338. In 2024-25, 93.6% of school leavers went on to a positive destination (below the Scotland average of 95.7%), and 30.6% left with five or more Highers (Scotland average 40.8%). Schools in Orkney Islands are inspected by Education Scotland on a six-point scale. There are currently 10 open teaching jobs across Orkney Islands. Browse every school by town, view pupil and staffing data, or compare schools side by side.
Education spending in Orkney Islands
Gross council expenditure per pupil/place, shown against the Scotland average (2024-25).
Source: Local Government Benchmarking Framework (Improvement Service), 2024-25, under the Open Government Licence. A higher figure is typical of rural and island councils, where smaller schools cost more per pupil to run — it does not by itself mean better-resourced classrooms.
School outcomes in Orkney Islands
How this council's schools compare to the Scotland average (2024-25). Higher is better.
Source: Local Government Benchmarking Framework (Improvement Service), 2024-25, under the Open Government Licence. Outcomes are council-wide averages and reflect each school's intake and catchment, not just its teaching.
Open teaching jobs across Orkney Islands
Current vacancies at schools in this council. Applications are handled externally.
Showing 1–10 of 10
Burray Primary School · Burray
Support for Learning Assistant, Burray Primary SchoolGlaitness School · Kirkwall
Early Learning and Childcare Senior Practitioner, Glaitness NurseryFirth Primary School · Finstown
Early Years Lead Practitioner, Firth Primary SchoolShapinsay Primary School · Shapinsay
Support for Learning Assistant, Shapinsay Primary SchoolGlaitness School · Kirkwall
Early Years Lead Practitioner, Glaitness NurseryEvie Primary School · Evie
Support for Learning Assistant, Evie Primary SchoolKirkwall Grammar School · Kirkwall
Teacher of Chemistry, Kirkwall Grammar SchoolKirkwall Grammar School · Kirkwall
School Librarian, Kirkwall Grammar SchoolStronsay Junior High School · Stronsay
Teacher of Technologies - Sanday, Stronsay and Westray Junior High SchoolsKirkwall Grammar School · Kirkwall
Depute Head Teacher, Kirkwall Grammar SchoolSchools in Orkney Islands
Kirkwall Grammar School
Orkney, Orkney Islands· KW15 1QN
Glaitness School
Orkney, Orkney Islands· KW15 1RP
Burray Primary School
Orkney, Orkney Islands· KW17 2SS
Evie Primary School
Orkney, Orkney Islands· KW17 2PE
Firth Primary School
Orkney, Orkney Islands· KW17 2ES
Shapinsay Community School
Orkney, Orkney Islands· KW17 2DY
Stronsay Junior High School
Orkney, Orkney Islands· KW17 2AE
Dounby Community School
Orkney, Orkney Islands· KW17 2JA
Eday Primary School
Orkney, Orkney Islands· KW17 2AA