Bell’s Brae headteacher vacancy re-advertised

There is also a ‘good news story’ at the Sandwick school when it comes to staffing numbers

4 September 2023 12:33

Aerial view of a large school complex with multiple buildings, outdoor playgrounds, and parking areas, surrounded by residential homes and roads.

Bell's Brae Primary School in Lerwick. Photo: SIC

THE HEADTEACHER post at one of Lerwick’s two primary schools has had to be re-advertised after the recruitment process failed to find a suitable candidate.

The post is at Bell’s Brae, which has a roll of 300 pupils and currently has 65 staff.

It consists of a primary, an early learning and childcare setting and an ASN department.

Last week Shetland Islands Council issued a press release in a bid to give the vacancy more attention. It comes amid continued recruitment challenges at the local authority.

Speaking at Monday’s meeting of the council’s education and families committee, children’s services director Helen Budge said the local authority hoped to attract more candidates in its second round of recruitment.

The successful candidate must have a degree with a teaching qualification, be registered with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.

The post comes with a salary of £82,560 per year.

The entrance to Sandwick Junior High School, featuring a blue sign, yellow railings, and a covered walkway leading to the main building.

Sandwick Junior High School. Photo: Dave Donaldson

Monday’s meeting meanwhile heard positive staffing news about Sandwick Junior High School, which has often had vacancies.

Education and learning manager Sam Flaws said the school was now fully staffed in the secondary department with specialists needed for the curriculum, and also the primary.

“It’s a good news story in terms of staffing for Sandwick,” she said.

Local councillor Bryan Peterson said it was “brilliant news all round” and added that it was the first time he could remember whilst living in Sandwick the school being fully staffed.

It comes after Andrew Hunter started as the school’s new headteacher in August.

Earlier this year it was confirmed that inspectors would not need to carry out any more follow-up visits to Sandwick amid confidence that the school has the capacity to improve.

It came after a mixed inspection report in 2019, and follow-up visits in 2022 and earlier this year.