Orkney schools are run by Orkney Islands Council’s Education and Leisure Department and a child’s whole school life from pre-school right through to further and higher education may be studied in the county.  There are around 3,000 pupils and students in Orkney.  Orkney’s secondary schools frequently feature in the top 100 Best State School lists. Individual schools have also achieved top marks through HM Inspectorate of Education reports.

For the early days there are two three-plus nurseries in Kirkwall and most of the county’s 17 primary schools offer three-plus and pre-school provision.  Childcare and baby and toddler groups are also available.  There are two senior secondary schools: Kirkwall Grammar School and Stromness Academy; and three junior high schools: Westray, Stronsay and Sanday, which cater from nursery up to 4th year of secondary.  After that the North Isles pupils stay in halls of residence in Kirkwall and attend Kirkwall Grammar School.  North Walls Junior High School pupils on Hoy can attend from nursery to 2nd year of secondary; then they travel to Stromness Academy.  To enrol your child, contact the head teacher in your catchment area,  listed on the OIC website.  You can also request a place at an alternative school.  School transport is available for pupils living a distance away from school.  Some parents in Orkney choose to home educate their children.

Orkney College offers further and higher education and degree and post graduate learning.  It is a constituent college of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI).  Courses include Scottish Vocational Qualifications, Scottish Group Awards, the Higher National Certificate and Diploma, degrees and post graduate courses and Ph.D supervision.  There are also evening classes and short courses.  Subjects include agriculture, archaeology, art and design, business studies, care, carpentry and joinery, cultural studies, hospitality, IT, marine and Nordic studies.  Learning centres are scattered throughout Orkney with the core centre at Orkney College.  Learning can be accessed through video conferencing and online by people living in remote areas.