Admissions and accommodation

We want the move to Papdale Halls to be as smooth and positive as possible for students and their families. This page explains who is eligible to stay at the Halls, how the admissions process works, and what students can expect when they arrive.

Who can stay at Papdale Halls?

For isles pupils attending Kirkwall Grammar School, a large number have no feasible alternative to staying at Papdale Halls. Priority for places is awarded in the following order:

1. Pupils whose attendance at KGS can only happen if they stay at Papdale Halls - this includes pupils from Sanday, Stronsay, Westray and Papa Westray who normally transfer at the start of S5, and pupils from North Ronaldsay and Eday who transfer at the start of S1.
2. Pupils from Hoy, Flotta or Egilsay who wish to attend KGS but do not wish to travel daily - daily travel involves being away from their island for between 10 and 12 hours.
3. Pupils whose parents make a placing request with a compelling case - for example, their child requires courses not available at the junior high school, particularly for S4.
4. Pupils from Rousay and Wyre who do not wish to travel daily - daily travel involves being away from their island for between 9 and 10 hours.
5. Pupils from Norway who are part of the exchange programme.

Pupils from Shapinsay are expected to travel daily as a general rule.

The admissions process

Students who transfer from island schools to Papdale Halls generally do so at set times each year through our Transitions Process:

• Staff from Papdale Halls, Kirkwall Grammar School and Skills Development Scotland visit each island school.
• Staff meet with the school, the student and their family in one-to-one interviews and provide an Admissions Pack.
• An overnight taster stay at the Halls and a visit to KGS is arranged for the student and other potential transferees.
• Families are invited to visit the Halls, meet staff and be shown around.
• A Personal Plan is prepared for each student, setting out their individual requirements and how these will be met.
• Care staff offer a follow-up home visit to each family.

The Admissions Pack includes information about the Halls, an application form, the National Care Standards for School Care Accommodation Services, a residents' handbook, a parents' handbook and the complaints procedure. Contact us directly for a copy of the pack.

Your room

Students are accommodated in one of four residential areas - Gairsay and Huip for boys, and Fara and Swona for girls. We always take student requests and needs into account when allocating rooms. Most bedrooms are single, with a small number of twin rooms and fully accessible rooms for students with additional mobility needs. All bedrooms are en-suite.

Each bedroom is set up as a study bedroom with a bed, under-bed storage, lockable wardrobe, bedside cabinet, bookcase, shelving, and a desk and chair. Bedrooms have door locks and a returnable key deposit is required on arrival. All bedrooms have controllable central heating.

Students are welcome to personalise their room with posters, pictures, cushions and throws. We ask that you use the pin boards provided to avoid damage to the walls. Bedding and towels are provided and laundered by the Halls; students may bring their own but these must be laundered at home.

Fire safety is a priority. All room furnishings are fire retardant, smoke detectors and sprinklers are installed, and regular fire drills are carried out in partnership with the Scottish Fire Service. There is a strict no smoking policy throughout the Halls and campus.

Transport

Transport costs from home islands to the Halls are met by the Council within the transport framework.

Students travel to and from Kirkwall by ferry on Sundays and Fridays during term time. The Halls are open from Sunday evening through to Friday afternoon. Ferry disruption procedures are in place to manage cancellations or timetable changes - see the Life at Papdale page for details.