Parents on an Argyll island have taken recruitment matters into their own hands as the local council struggles to find them a new head teacher.
Despite its “idyllic picture-postcard location, attractive salary and bright, friendly pupils”, the top job at Tobermory High School on Mull has been vacant for almost a year – despite two rounds of recruiting.
And now, as Argyll and Bute Council hopes to be third time lucky, the parent council is stepping in to help boost the profile of the campaign.
Parent council member Dawn Reade explained: “This is the third time of advertising the post.
“Unfortunately the first two runs really didn’t attract that many applicants.
“We feel Mull is a pretty special place and if people know that the job is coming up they might consider where they are at.
“They might consider applying for a job they might not be looking for.”
Recruitment of teachers is notoriously difficult nationally, and the problem is exacerbated in remote places.
The primary school teacher on the isle of Muck, who was appointed last year, moved there from Hampshire after seeing the parent council’s social media campaign.
Nairn Academy also had such difficulty finding a technology teacher that the school ended up making a short video clip to attract interest.
The Mull parents are promoting the head teacher post on their Tobermory High School Parent Council Facebook page.
The previous head teacher, Craig Biddick, moved on to pastures new in August 2016.
Prior to that Jenny Des Fountain was in the post from 1995 to 2011. She is quoted in a welcome pack created for applicants by the parent council saying: “It’s the best job in Scottish education.”
Photographs of the colourful village have been published online along with the words “Our children are waiting to welcome you,” and hashtags #MOVETOMULL #TEACHINTOBERMORY.
Tobermory High has 140 secondary students and 63 primary pupils.
Mrs Reade said: “The first post was just a photograph of Tobermory with words saying we are looking for a head teacher.
“It got a phenomenal amount of shares, around 3,000.
“The school had a few people phoning and inquiring so hopefully there will be a few people waiting for the job advert to go live.
“We are just trying to get as many people as possible aware of the opportunity.”
The job will be advertised on April 14, with a closing date of May 5.
A council spokesman said: “This is a great opportunity for a head teacher to work with skilled staff and hard-working pupils to be proud of as well as to enjoy the benefits of island – living in one of the most beautiful parts of the country.
“We make every effort to recruit skilled staff and this post is being advertised both locally and nationally. The school’s parent council has provided information for the recruitment pack and is promoting the vacancy on its website and on social media, and we welcome their support in the recruitment process.
“Teacher recruitment is a national issue. We offer support, such as relocation packages, and have worked with in partnership with Argyll College, to offer a post-graduate Diploma in Teaching.
“An experienced depute head teacher who knows the pupils is currently in the post of acting head teacher.”
