Rural Community Gateway

Westruther primary school has been looking for a new head since August 2006, and local people have real concerns about the effect on their community if the position is not filled soon. This is the third time the post has been advertised.

Twenty-six pupils attend the school in the small village of Westruther, in the old Border’s county of Berwickshire. The head teacher would be responsible for two classes and a thriving on-site nursery. Both the school board and the Parent Teachers Association work hard to support the school.

Graeme Wilson, chair of the School Board said, “Westruther is a super school that consistently gets excellent reports from HMI inspectors. We are looking for someone who will not just maintain this high standard but who will look to improve it.”

Lively community

Westruther is a lively community with an active church, a great pub and a village hall, which is home to a variety of groups from the Westruther Community Players to Aikido.

Mr Wilson continued, “If our school does not continue to live up to its current excellence then new people might not move into our community and some may even leave affecting all aspects of life in Westruther, not just our school.”

Joanne Conington, whose three sons attend the school said, “We are only a small village, but the school has a major impact on the success of the community and the great spirit that is upheld within it.”

Annie McDonagh, a pupil aged nine, said, “We need a good and fair head teacher to look after us.”

Wider problem

Graeme Wilson added, “We know that we are not alone in our predicament but want to publicise this opportunity as much as possible in the hope that we will not only fill our vacancy but will highlight the challenges rural schools face in appointing senior staff to positions. This needs to be raised and dealt with at the highest level if our children are to be given a stable environment in which to learn.”

Speaking to the BBC, a spokesman for the Educational Institute of Scotland confirmed that the problem is not unique to Westruther, saying that head teacher posts come with so much responsibility that many choose a different career path.

More information

Closing date for applications is Monday 19 February 2007. More details and an application form can be found on the Scottish Borders Council website, or by calling 01853 824 000.

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