New headteacher for Stromness Academy

A new headteacher has been appointed at Stromness Academy.

Jane Partridge, who is currently a Deputy Head Teacher at the school, will take up the post in October.

Acting Head Teacher Ian Berstan will continue in his role until Jane takes up the reins.

Orkney Islands Council’s Executive Director of the Education, Leisure and Housing Service, Wilfred Weir, commented: “We are delighted to appoint Jane to the post.

“I’d like to thank the Pupil Council, the Parent Council, Principal Teachers and Acting Head who all played an important role in the recruitment process.

“I would also like to thank Mr Berstan for leading the school over the last year and for preparing the ground for the new headteacher.

“He has also played a major part in helping develop the school curriculum, both within the Academy and across Orkney, most notably with regard to the senior phase and the Orkney Offer.

“All colleagues in the Education Service will miss him on his return to Aberdeenshire and we wish him every success for the future.”

Jane is currently Depute Head Teacher at Stromness Academy, having joined the school as Teacher of German. Before relocating to Orkney she was Assistant Head at two schools in England.

She said: “I am really looking forward to the challenge of leading Stromness Academy. It’s a good school, but we want to make it an excellent one.  We have committed staff, a supportive parent council, and great students, and the groundwork Ian has done this year means we are already moving in the right direction. It’s a big job, but an exciting one. I’m glad to have had a year in the school already, so I can really hit the ground running.”