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Gorseness, Telephone box on the Gorseness road near Rendal, Orkney ©Gorseness, Telephone box on the Gorseness road near Rendal, Orkney ©
Stromness Pier, Orkney © Shirley GrantStromness Pier, Orkney © Shirley Grant
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We have community sites all around Kirkwall Hotel in the Kirkwall area, within 
KW15 postcodes, or Orkney!
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Finding a Kirkwall Preschool, Primary or Secondary School in or near Kirkwall Hotel or within the Kirkwall area

Frequently asked questions asked by parents looking for the best schools near Kirkwall Hotel

How do I find out what schools are available around Kirkwall? 

There are some frighteningly frank websites for you to choose from. The Government one is https://www.gov.uk/school-performance-tables . You simply enter your location, perhaps Kirkwall, or another location and select primary schools or secondary schools. All the information parents need all there in percentages!

You could also try the paid for websites like www.schoolguide.co.uk . This one is quite cheap and you can pay monthly.

This is of course just the very first stage in selecting a school. You will to need see the videos on this page before even thinking of visiting the shortlist of schools on your list.

How do I find the state school catchment area in or around Kirkwall Hotel? 
If you just need to know your school catchment area try www.admissionsday.co.uk .If you are looking for exhaustive information on the schools as well go to www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk

How do I find out how good a school is?
You will absolutely have to visit the school. However, do look at the video below. For armed is to be fore warned!

Nursery Schools

What's the difference between nursery and preschool? 
Preschools usually work around a formal curriculum and trained teachers - making them a little more expensive! Nursery schools are usually a more relaxed learning environment and more flexible enrolment terms. They are also cheaper and vary greatly.

What age is a preschooler? Ages up to 4 is considered preschooler with toddlers are 1 - 3 year old bracket. Basically 4-year-old are not 'toddling' around any more and so are no longer toddlers!

What does preschool mean? A preschool, or nursery school, is a pre-primary school, or play school for early childhood education. Preschool is for children before they begin compulsory education at primary school. 

Is Pre K considered preschool? Pre K schools are pre-kindergartens.

This page should help you answer these school finding questions!
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Kirkwall PreSchools

Creches

Local Area Creches and Day Nurseries for KW15
Click also to find: Childcare Services, Nursery Schools, After School Care

PreSchools and Playgroups for Kirkwall

Papdale Primary School

1 Willow Rd, Kirkwall KW15 1PH, UK – 01856 872650

Zwe told you naght tu keep your geldfish in ze toilet

Kirkwall Grammar School

Kirkwall Grammar School, The Meadows, Kirkwall KW15 1QN, UK – 01856 872102

@ErrorEfect somehow they teached me..... Explain that. A excellent school

My sister goes here and it's #TotesAmazeballs ❤️

Glaitness School

Pickaquoy Rd, Kirkwall KW15 1RP, UK – 01856 873648

More Pre-schools

After School Care

Highland Park Whisky Distillery

Holm Rd, Kirkwall KW15 1SU, UK – 01856 874619

Great distillery tour with Viking heritage (great shout out to our tour guide Charlie - she was the absolute best). Highly recommended. If you drive ask for the driver's kit for 4£ in advance.

Good tour but it was the 'silent' season so no moving or working parts. A lot of people going through and lucky to get a spot due to a cancellation. Good to see a traditional distillery.

Strynd Nursery

6 Strynd, Kirkwall KW15 1HG, UK – 01856 875484

Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland

Strynd, Kirkwall KW15 1HG, UK – 0845 600 2227

More After School Care
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Charity Press Release

Queen Ethelburga’s 500 cuddly giraffes awareness and funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital

The flight flew from RAF Brize Norton on 24th April 2024 with 500 cuddly giraffes on board to raise money and awareness for Great Ormond Street Hospital in memory of Louise Conway who died at just nine years old of leukaemia in 2013. Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate donated 50% of the production costs on behalf of the junior school, Chapter House, and our Forces community across campus - which is about 25% of our total student population.

For more information see:

Please CLICK to find out more about the amazing Louise Conway and the glorious Giraffes on their Tour
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Kirkwall Primary & Secondary Schools

Choosing a school around Kirkwall. This is an Australian video but has some really good Tips!

Kirkwall Independent Schools - Prep & Secondary - for Kirkwall

Independent Schools for Kirkwall - private preparatory and senior schools. Prep schools age 8 yrs to 11yrs or 13 yrs. Senior schools age 11yrs or 13 yrs to 18yrs. Some independent schools have a pre-prep department (age 3 to 8yrs) as well as prep and senior schools. Independent schools can be co-educational or single sex.

Best Kirkwall Secondary Schools -

Scottish Agricultural College

Grainshore Rd, Kirkwall KW15 1FL, UK

kirkwall grammar school

Kirkwall KW15 1QX, UK

Kirkwall Grammar School

Kirkwall Grammar School, The Meadows, Kirkwall KW15 1QN, UK – 01856 872102

@ErrorEfect somehow they teached me..... Explain that. A excellent school

My sister goes here and it's #TotesAmazeballs ❤️

More Secondary Schools

OFSTED Reports for Secondary Schools in the Kirkwall area

Click for Reports for Secondary Schools within 10 miles of Kirkwall

Independent Schools

Kirkwall Grammar School

Kirkwall Grammar School, The Meadows, Kirkwall KW15 1QN, UK – 01856 872102

@ErrorEfect somehow they teached me..... Explain that. A excellent school

My sister goes here and it's #TotesAmazeballs ❤️

Papdale Primary School

1 Willow Rd, Kirkwall KW15 1PH, UK – 01856 872650

Zwe told you naght tu keep your geldfish in ze toilet

Glaitness School

Pickaquoy Rd, Kirkwall KW15 1RP, UK – 01856 873648

More Independent Schools

Local Authority Schools - Primary & Secondary Schools

Local Authority primary and secondary schools for KW15 1LF . LEA primary schools age 4yrs (the year in which a child is 5) to 11yrs. Secondary schools age 11yrs to 16yrs or 18 yrs. Each school has a local catchment area.

Primary School OFSTED Reports for the area

Click for OFSTED for Primary Schools within 10 miles of Kirkwall

Primary Schools

Orkney Islands Council

School Pl, Kirkwall KW15 1NY, UK – 01856 873535

The Orkney Islands Council is the local authority for Orkney, Scotland. It was established in 1975 by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and was largely unaffected by the Scottish local government changes of the mid-1990s. It provides services in the areas of Environmental Health, Roads, Social Work, Community Development, Organisational Development, Economic Development, Building Standards, Trading Standards, Housing, Waste, Education, Burial Grounds, Port and Harbours and others. The council is allowed to collect Council Tax. The council is also the harbour authority for Orkney and its Marine Services division manages the operation of the islands' 29 piers and harbours.

Everyone at the council offices are so helpful

Papdale Primary School

1 Willow Rd, Kirkwall KW15 1PH, UK – 01856 872650

Zwe told you naght tu keep your geldfish in ze toilet

Kirkwall Grammar School

Kirkwall Grammar School, The Meadows, Kirkwall KW15 1QN, UK – 01856 872102

@ErrorEfect somehow they teached me..... Explain that. A excellent school

My sister goes here and it's #TotesAmazeballs ❤️

More Primary Schools
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Research Schools around Kirkwall Hotel

OFSTED - search reports for schools around Kirkwall

Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. Ofsted reports directly to Parliament and is independent and impartial, inspecting and regulating services which care for children and young people, and those providing education and skills for learners of all ages.

Click for the full database of OFSTED's inspection reports - check out schools in KW15 or anywhere in the country.
Click to see all the school OFSTED reports for the Kirkwall area

Get the Right School - search for schools around Kirkwall

GetTheRightSchool was formed to offer a unique reference point on getting your child into the school of your choice. The web site covers all you need to about education choices with tips and a guide to the application process and issues that could impact your child's school day, from dealing with bullying, to money issues, to how to work out school catchment areas when they move schools.
More Information

Independent Schools Council - use search to find private schools around Kirkwall or anywhere in the UK

Independent Schools Council Website - has a search facility: by county, school or postcode. The ISC brings together eight associations of independent schools, their heads, bursars and governors and represents over 1,200 independent schools in the UK and overseas.
More Information

Local Education Authorities - find LEA for Kirkwall or any LEA in the UK

Schools Web Directory - lists all UK local education authorities with a click-through to their websites. Each Local Authority has lists of its own schools and details of application procedures.
More Information

Schools in Ireland

Contact details & Websites of 4,065 Schools in Ireland - search by map or county list
More Information

Schools Web Directory - search for education facilities in KW15 or throughout the UK

Lists more than 31,000 UK state and independent schools and colleges, including over 26,000 UK School, College and University Websites. Search for schools or search for educational establishments anywhere in the UK by geographical county, postcode, name or LEA.
More Information
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Educational News Feed

BBC Live Educational News

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Local Special Needs Education

Dyslexia Support

Dyslexia support centres
Click also to find: Education Agencies & Authorities, Schools - Independent & Preparatory
More Information

Special Educational Needs Schools for Kirkwall

Special schools for Kirkwall for moderate to severe learning difficulties, ADHD, Autism, Physical impairment, complex health needs, communication difficulties, dyspraxia and other special needs.
More Information

Special Needs Schools around you

Kirkwall Grammar School

Kirkwall Grammar School, The Meadows, Kirkwall KW15 1QN, UK – 01856 872102

@ErrorEfect somehow they teached me..... Explain that. A excellent school

My sister goes here and it's #TotesAmazeballs ❤️

More Special Needs Schools

Special Needs UK

Website with facility to search for many different kinds of special needs schools and links to lots of support groups.  Find a special needs school near Kirkwall or search the website for special schools throughout the UK
More Information
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Adult Education and Private Tuition around Kirkwall

Adult Education Centres for KW15 - Language Tuition

Adult Education Centres for Kirkwall which may run evening or daytime language classes

Adult Education

Wrigley and The Reel

6 Broad St, Kirkwall KW15 1NX, UK – 01856 871000

Nice cafe and music venue

Orkney College UHI

East Rd, Orkney, Kirkwall, Kirkwall KW15 1LX, UK – 01856 569000

Kirkwall Grammar School

Kirkwall Grammar School, The Meadows, Kirkwall KW15 1QN, UK – 01856 872102

@ErrorEfect somehow they teached me..... Explain that. A excellent school

My sister goes here and it's #TotesAmazeballs ❤️

More Adult Education

Language Schools

The Orkney Family History Society

44 Junction Rd, Kirkwall KW15 1AG, UK – 01856 879207

Orkney Islands Council

School Pl, Kirkwall KW15 1NY, UK – 01856 873535

The Orkney Islands Council is the local authority for Orkney, Scotland. It was established in 1975 by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and was largely unaffected by the Scottish local government changes of the mid-1990s. It provides services in the areas of Environmental Health, Roads, Social Work, Community Development, Organisational Development, Economic Development, Building Standards, Trading Standards, Housing, Waste, Education, Burial Grounds, Port and Harbours and others. The council is allowed to collect Council Tax. The council is also the harbour authority for Orkney and its Marine Services division manages the operation of the islands' 29 piers and harbours.

Everyone at the council offices are so helpful

More Foreign Language Schools

Language Schools for Kirkwall

Language schools for KW15. Also consider Adult Education Centres which might run evening language classes

Private Tutors for Kirkwall

Private Tuition for KW15
Click also to find: Language Schools, Translators & Interpreters

Private Tutors

The Reel

6 Broad St, Kirkwall KW15 1NX, UK – 01856 871000

Great selection of Gluten free and vegan cakes, good quality coffees, a fairly wide range of whiskies, gins both Orkney and not. Vegetarian and gluten free soup. Gluten free toasties and homemade paninis available! Also baked potatoes and basic salads. Staff friendly and helpful and will understand you with a minimum amount of English! Can be madly busy. Plus an outside seating area available in summer. Local musical events available free or ones with tickets. Everything in one space and right at the heart of Kirkwall!!

Absolutely great venue. Fantastic place to chill and to be entertained and to be fed and to be "watered".

More Private Tutors