Stromness Academy has had its first HMIe School Inspection in 14 years. This secondary school takes all its 350 pupils from eight of the parishes in the west mainland of Orkney. During the week 24th March 2025, HMIe came to Stromness and did a whole school inspection, from the Home Economics department to Music, talking to not only to staff but also to the students.
The staff – teachers and non-teaching – had mixed feelings about this, one teacher saying they were “Super Stressed” and others stating “It was a useful and positive experience” or they were “not worried”.
One teacher said, “The inspectors asked very clear questions – they obviously had quite specific things they were interested in knowing.”
They added, “We have a lot to be proud of at Stromness Academy but it is always good to know where we could do better.”
The inspection report can be found, from 3rd June, at: https://education.gov.scot/inspection-and-review/find-an-inspection-report/

By Maisie B