Orkney Islands Council pays tribute to Dounby Primary School Head Teacher Islean Gibson

It is with great sadness that Orkney Islands Council announces the death of Islean Gibson, Head Teacher of Dounby Primary School.

Ms Gibson had held the post of Head Teacher at Dounby Primary School since August 2021 after moving to Orkney from Kinloch Rannoch Primary School in Perthshire, where she had been Head Teacher for eight years.

As Head Teacher of Dounby, Islean led innovative and creative approaches to learning, deeply grounded in academic research. In 2023, this work was recognised through the Creative Learning Network and the National Galleries of Scotland's Your Art World project, with Dounby chosen as one of only four schools in Scotland asked to create a whole-school art installation. Working around the theme of "protect", pupils built a large sculpture called "Trashy", made entirely from rubbish and surrounded by around 140 individual "protection" boxes, one made by every child in the school.

The sculpture later travelled to the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh, where it went on display. In Trashy's hands sat a separate character made by the children called Bob, and the phrase coined by the school, "Be more Bob!", will surely bring back fond memories for many. Bob went on to help the children create their vision, values and aims for Dounby Primary School, and the little sculpture travelled far and wide, even making an appearance at the Scottish Government.

As well as engaging the children and young people, Islean encouraged her team to undertake personal research. Islean and her team were invited to present at the British Educational Research Association (BERA), discussing the development of learner-led research. Islean was dedicated to her own studies, completing a Master of Education at the University of Dundee.

Wendy Bowen, Head of Education, said: "Islean showed curiosity and passion for education and teaching right to the end. She will be sadly missed as a colleague and friend.

"Our thoughts are with Islean's family and closest friends at this most difficult time."