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Primary School Area Attainment Report - Oban, Lorn and the Isles (OLI)

Argyll and Bute Council · 14 June 2023
Back to Oban Lorn & The Isles Area Committee — 14 June 2023 and its agenda

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Argyll and Bute Council 2022 - 2023    
OUR CHILDREN…
THEIR FUTURE…
Education Service 
Primary Area Attainment Report:  
Oban, Lorn and the Isles (OLI)

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Introduction 
Within the OLI area there are 25 Primary Schools (Luing Primary School, Achaleven Primary
School and Kilchrenan Primary School are currently mothballed).  There is secondary school
provision in Oban High School, Tiree High School and Tobermory High School.  Nursery
provision is provided within several of these schools and Gaelic Medium Education is
provided at Bunessan Primary School, Strath of Appin Primary School, Rockfield Primary
School, Salen Primary School and Tiree Primary School.  Our primary school rolls vary
considerably ranging from 3 pupils (Kilchattan Primary School) to over 250 pupils (Rockfield
Primary School). 
This report provides a range of key information about school provision during the school
session August 2022 to June 2023 and reports the National collection of attainment and
achievement data from June 2022. 
Additional and more detailed information about each school can be found in the schools’
Standards and Quality Reports.  In addition each school’s Improvement Plan outlines their main
priorities for improvement.  Most schools have an active website where these documents can
be accessed and further links or information can be obtained from the Head Teacher.

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Oban, Lorn and the Isles School Profiles 2022-2023 
Primary School Roll (as at census) *
Cluster Primary Schools 18/19 19/20 20/21 21/22  22/23
%
change
in Roll
over 5
years1
Achaleven Primary School (mothballed) 13 9 7 0 0 -100%
Barcaldine Primary School 9 10 10 13 14 +55%
Bunessan Primary Gaelic Unit   4 4 3 11 10 +150%
Bunessan Primary School 23 19 21 7 10 -56%
Dalmally Primary School 38 35 31 29 37 -2%
Dervaig Primary School 30 25 22 22 19 -36%
Dunbeg Primary School 88 98 90 88 89 +1%
Easdale Primary School 14 16 17 20 25 +78%
Iona Primary School 20 18 17 14 15 -25%
Kilchattan Primary School 4 6 8 2 3 -25%
Kilchrenan Primary School (mothballed Feb 2022) 7 8 12 6 0 -100%
Kilninver Primary School 26 22 29 26 23 -11%
Lismore Primary School 9 12 11 11 9 0%
Lochdonhead Primary School 4 10 10 10 12 +200%
Lochnell Primary School 124 114 112 119 118 +5%
Luing Primary School (mothballed) 10 7 0 0 0 -100%
Park Primary School 250 252 240 240 225 -10%
Rockfield Gaelic Primary School 49 58 61 56 50 +2%
Rockfield Primary School 321 308 276 259 250 -22%
Salen Gaelic Primary School 51 48 45 42 31 -39%
Salen Primary School 34 35 29 25 26 -24%
St Columba’s Primary School 109 103 132 148 169 +55%
Strath of Appin Gaelic Primary School 7 7 11 12 13 +85%
Strath of Appin Primary School 17 17 17 16 13 -23%
Taynuilt Primary School 72 69 67 70 66 -8.3%
Tiree Primary School 32 31 27 23 16 -50%
Tiree Primary School Gaelic Unit 34 38 36 40 38 +12%
Tobermory Primary School 61 62 62 68 76 +25%
Ulva Primary School 9 8 8 16 12 +33%
TOTAL 1469 1449 1411 1393 1369 -7%
* Data for rolls provided at Census each year 
1 Please note the % change in Roll over 5 years shows the percentage change in roll figures from 2018/19 to 2022/23
and is not an average. 
SIMD Profile 
SIMD is the Scottish Government's standard approach to identify areas of multiple deprivation in
Scotland, with SIMD 1 indicating areas of highest deprivation and SIMD 10 indicating the least
deprived.  It can help improve understanding about the outcomes and circumstances of people
living in the most deprived areas in Scotland. It can also allow effective targeting of policies and
funding where the aim is to wholly or partly tackle or take account of area concentrations of
multiple deprivation.   
Table shows number of pupils at each SIMD level in each area of Argyll and Bute.

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Area 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Unkn
own TOTAL
Bute and
Cowal 186 159 233 108 255 219 32  0 17   20 1229
HALCO 40 83 105 50 130 223 274 352 192 138 33 1620
MAKI  0 84 115 137 128 568 301 0  0 1 4 1338
OLI 18  0 5 166 389 236 408 107 0   0 92 1421
Total 244 326 458 461 902 1246 1015 459 209 139 149 5608 
* SIMD data from March 2023 
Footwear and Clothing Grant and Free School Meal Information for AREA 
 Clothing and Footwear Grant (CFG) is not shown as a National Average as each authority set
their own criteria and therefore cannot be compared accurately. Please note that 2022-20223
data for CFG and Free School Meals (FSM) is to date (end February 2023) and therefore may
change as the year progresses. 
 In January 2022, the Scottish Government launched the extension of free school meal universal
eligibility to include all children in primary 1-5. The above figures only show those pupils in P6
and P7. 
 In August 2021 the Scottish Government introduced a School clothing grant minimum for all
authorities set at £120 for Primary pupils and £150 for Secondary pupils. 
 During session 2020/21 the Scottish Government introduced ‘Bridging’ payments of £130 per
pupil in receipt of FSM under the National criteria (this excludes anyone eligible who receive

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FSM in P1 to P6 who do not qualify financially). These payments are made 4 times per year
(Easter, Summer, October and Christmas).Further information can be found at Scottish Child
Payment Bridging Payments - mygov.scot.  In addition to this anyone eligible for these
payments have been paid a FSM payment during the school holiday period. Further information
School meals - mygov.scot 
Exclusion and Attendance Information for AREA 
 Authorised absence includes bereavement, short – term exceptional domestic situations,
religious observance, weddings of immediate family. Unauthorised absence includes truancy,
unexplained absence and most family holidays during term time. Attendance and absence is
outlined in Management Circular 3.03. 
 During 2020/21 there were additional attendance codes added for COVID. These codes can
count as attendance, authorised absence or unauthorised absence depending on the
circumstance. 
 Please note that attendance data for 2022/23 is up to 28 February and not a complete year. It
is therefore subject to change. 
 Please note that exclusion data for 2022/23 is up to 28 February and not a complete year. It is
therefore subject to change.

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Additional Support needs 
Table below indicates the numbers of pupils identified as having Additional Support needs across
the Oban, Lorn and the Isles area at each stage of primary schools. 
Care Experienced Children and Young People
A virtual Head Teacher took up post in April 2023. The core purpose of the role of the Virtual Head
Teacher is to be relentless in driving improvements in the educational progress and
attainment/achievement of an identified group of young people, including Care Experienced,
across Argyll and Bute. The core function of the Virtual Head Teacher in terms of planning is to
ensure that all children have access to appropriate and timely support achieved by collaborating
with relevant professionals to ensure plans are of a high quality, with impact and outcomes
followed up.
The table below shows the numbers of care experienced children in our primary schools across
each area of the Council. 
Area Previously looked
after
Looked after at
home
Looked after
away from
home. 
Total
HALCO 14 4 11 29
OLI 13 2 5 20
MAKI 21 8 5 34
B&C 21 12 23 56

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Attainment of Curriculum for Excellence Levels over time
Curriculum levels are national levels to describe different stages of learning and progress. For
most children the expectation is:       
Throughout the Broad General Education, children and young people are assessed and decisions
are made by teachers on when a child or young person has achieved learning at a particular level.
This means that they have broadly covered the experiences and achieved the expected outcomes
for that level. In making this decision, the teacher takes into account the evidence mentioned
above, and considers the benchmarks produced by Education Scotland for each level as well as
diagnostic feedback from the National Standardised Assessments (NSAs). Attainment of
Curriculum for Excellence Levels (ACEL) data is collected annually each June by the Scottish
Government. The data collection collects information on pupil performance in four areas, known as
organisers. Organisers consist of Numeracy and the three literacy components; Reading, Writing
and Listening and Talking. A combined literacy measure is also produced based on the three
literacy organisers: reading, writing and listening and talking. The data is collected for pupils at the
key stages of P1, P4,P7 and S3. 
Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels across OLI schools: June 2017-June 2022

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NOTES:
ER English reading, EW English writing, ELT English Listening and talking N Numeracy
GR Gaelic reading, GW Gaelic writing, GLT Gaelic Listening and talking.
There was no ACEL collection during session 2019/20 due to COVID 
 In English medium By June 2022: 
 In reading, 77.06% of P1 pupils in the OLI area achieved early level, this is
compared with 75% at authority level and 79% nationally
 In writing, 72.35% of P1 pupils in the OLI area achieved early level, this is
compared with 68% at authority level and 77% nationally
 In talking and listening, 81.76% of P1 pupils in the OLI area achieved early level,
this is compared with 81% at authority level and 86% nationally. 
 In numeracy, 77.65% of P1 pupils in the OLI area achieved early level, this is
compared with 78% at authority level and 84% nationally. 
 In reading, 76.67% of P4 pupils in the OLI area achieved first level, this is compared
with 71% at authority level and 76% nationally
 In writing, 66.11% of P4 pupils in the OLI area achieved first level, this is compared
with 61% at authority level and 70% nationally
 In talking and listening, 83.33% of P4 pupils in the OLI area achieved first level,
this is compared with 78% at authority level and 85% nationally. 
 In numeracy, 70.59 of P4 pupils in the OLI area achieved first level, this is
compared with 65% at authority level and 75% nationally. 
 In reading, 76.21% of P7 pupils in the OLI area achieved second level, this is
compared with 74% at authority level and 79.33% nationally
 In writing, 64.65% of P7 pupils in the OLI area achieved second level, this is
compared with 67% at authority level and 73% nationally

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 In talking and listening, 77.78% of P7 pupils in the OLI area achieved second level,
this is compared with 82% at authority level and 86% nationally. 
 In numeracy, 71.11% of P7 pupils in the OLI area achieved second level, this is
compared with 65% at authority level and 76% nationally. 
 In Gaelic medium By June 2022: 
 In reading, 80% of P1 pupils in the OLI area achieved early level, this is compared
with 82% at authority level and 83% nationally
 In writing, 75% of P1 pupils in the OLI area achieved early level, this is compared
with 79% at authority level and 80% nationally
 In talking and listening, 80% of P1 pupils in the OLI area achieved early level, this
is compared with 82% at authority level and 84% nationally. 
 In reading, 75% of P4 pupils in the OLI area achieved first level, this is compared
with 76% at authority level and 71% nationally
 In writing, 66.67% of P4 pupils in the OLI area achieved first level, this is compared
with 68% at authority level and 63% nationally
 In talking and listening, 66.67% of P4 pupils in the OLI area achieved first level,
this is compared with 68% at authority level and 63% nationally. 
 In reading, 62% of P7 pupils in the OLI area achieved second level, this is
compared with 65% at authority level and 75% nationally
 In writing, 41.38% of P7 pupils in the OLI area achieved second level, this is
compared with 43% at authority level and 66% nationally
 In talking and listening, 62% of P7 pupils in the OLI area achieved second level,
this is compared with 68% at authority level and 80% nationally.

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Argyll and Bute Stretch Aims Session 2022-23 (Authority Level)
Scottish Attainment Challenge - Stretch Aims
The Scottish Attainment Challenge (SAC) is about achieving equity in educational outcomes, with
a particular focus on closing the poverty-related attainment gap.  SAC funding is provided to all of
Scotland’s local authorities to help tackle the attainment gap and support education recovery and
improve outcomes for children and young people most impacted by poverty. The Scottish
Attainment Challenge aims to raise the attainment of children and young people living in deprived
areas, in order to close the equity gap.
Attainment Advisors within Education Scotland’s regional improvement teams work with authorities
to identify core attainment measures and specific aims (Stretch Aims) which, informed by local
evidence and data, are identified as local priority areas for improvement. The stretch aims are
intended to be both ambitious and achievable within local contexts and targets are specific to
individual authorities. Progress towards achieving the current stretch aims will be reported on later
in 2023. 
The Stretch Aims are intended to support recovery from the pandemic and accelerate progress in
closing the attainment gap and include:
 Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels (literacy P1/4/7 combined and
numeracy P1/4/7 combined)
The stretch aims for literacy and numeracy identify the percentage of young people who achieve
their expected Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) level:
 An overall attainment target, which includes all young people 
 An attainment target for young people who live in the most deprived areas (SIMD quintile 1)
 An attainment target for young people who live in the  least deprived areas (SIMD quintile
5)
 A target to reduce the attainment gap between the most and least deprived young people 
The Argyll & Bute literacy and numeracy tables illustrate the progress from the 2021 ‘post
pandemic’ ACEL collection, through the most recent ACEL collection in 2022 (published
December 2022), to the Stretch Aim targets in place for 2023.
The year-on-year trend in ACEL data has been positive; in the two-year period between 2021 and
2022  the overall proportions of primary school pupils achieving the expected levels in literacy had
increased by 3 percentage points, while in numeracy there had been an increase of 4 percentage
points.
The percentage of Quintile 1 (most deprived) young people who achieved their expected CfE level
has increased by 5% in literacy and 10% in numeracy between 2021 and 2022. 
Scottish Attainment Challenge - Stretch Aim 2023: Literacy
In literacy, the attainment gap between young people from the most and least deprived areas of
Argyll & Bute was 33 percentage points in 2021, and by 2022 this narrowed to 27 percentage
points.  Argyll & Bute’s target is to reduce the attainment gap to 21.5 percentage points by 2023.

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Literacy                P1/4/7
combined                Dec 22
update
Overall SIMD Q1 SIMD Q5 GAP (Q1-Q5)
ACEL 2021 59% 48% 81% 33pp
2022 ACEL          (published
Dec 22)
62% 53% 80% 27pp
Stretch Aims 2022/23 68.4% 60% 81.5% 21.5pp
Improvement Target (p.p.
2021-2023)
9.4pp 12pp 0.5pp 11.5pp 
Literacy 
P1/4/7 combined Overall SIMD Q1 SIMD Q5 Gap (Q1-Q5)
ACEL June 2021 59% 48% 81% 33pp
Provisional 2022 ACEL data 62.2% 54.8% 79.2% 24.4pp
OCT 22 Projections 62.5% 63.7% 77.8% 14.1%
Feb 23 Projections* 65.7% 68.6% 77.8% 9.2%
Stretch Aim   2022/23         68.4% 60% 81.5% 21.5pp
Improvement Target (p.p.
2021-2023) 9.4pp 12pp 0.5pp 11.5pp
*RAG’d against 2023 Stretch Aim
In literacy, the attainment gap between young people from the most and least deprived areas of
Argyll & Bute was 33 percentage points in 2021, and by 2022 this narrowed to 27 percentage
points.  Argyll & Bute’s target is to reduce the attainment gap to 21.5 percentage points by 2023. 
Scottish Attainment Challenge - Stretch Aims 2023: Numeracy 
In numeracy, the attainment gap between young people from the most and least deprived areas of
Argyll & Bute was 29 percentage points in 2021, and by 2022 this narrowed to 18 percentage
points.  Argyll & Bute’s target is to reduce the attainment gap to 13.5 percentage points by 2023 
Numeracy 
P1/4/7 combined
Dec 22 update
Overall SIMD Q1 SIMD Q5 GAP (Q1-Q5)
ACEL 2021 69% 58% 87% 29pp
2022 ACEL            
(published Dec 22)
73% 68% 86% 18pp
Stretch Aims    2022/23 75% 74% 87.5% 13.5pp
Improvement Target  
(p.p. 2021-2023)
6pp 16pp 0.5pp 15.5pp

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Numeracy P1/4/7 Overall SIMD Q1 SIMD Q5 GAP (Q1-Q5)
Current Level (ACEL June
2021) 69% 58% 87% 29pp
Provisional 2022 ACEL data 72% 69% 83.5% 14.4%
OCT 22 Projections 69% 69.6% 84.2% 14.6%
Feb 23 Projections* 71% 72% 83.9% 11.9%
Stretch Aim   2022/23          75% 74% 87.5% 13.5pp
Improvement Target (p.p.
2021-2023)  6pp 16pp 0.5pp 15.5pp
*RAG’d against 2023 Stretch Aim 
The table below outlines the National expectations of when most children and young people may
achieve each level: 
CfE Level  Stage 
Early The final two years of early learning and
childcare before a child goes to school and
P1, or later for some. 
First To the end of P4, but earlier or later for
some. 
Second To the end of P7, but earlier or later for
some. 
Third and fourth S1-S3, but earlier or later for some. 
Further information:
National Improvement Framework for Scottish Education –
https://www.gov.scot/policies/schools/national-improvement-framework/

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Initiatives to raise attainment and achievement 
In response to data and evidence gathered in the areas of literacy, numeracy and health and
wellbeing, a range of work has been undertaken in order to drive forward improvement and raise
attainment and achievement across the authority. 
Literacy
 8 schools have undertaken training in using a Quality Improvement approach to support writing
attainment at 1st level. The training was originally offered by CYPIC and is now being delivered
within the authority, supported by allied health professionals. Data shows that attainment at 1st
level within the first set of schools to undertake the training has increased from an average of
56.2% in 2022 to an average of 72.8% based on Feb 23 predictions. 
 4 schools are undertaking training provided by Talk for Writing to support the development of
sound pedagogical approaches to writing across their settings. The schools have set clear
stretch aims for each class, against which attainment will be evaluated as implementation of
the approach continues. 
 Bespoke support has been offered to schools, covering aspects of literacy such as approaches
to reading comprehension, writing pedagogy, emerging literacy and 1 to 1 reading
interventions. 
Numeracy
 Schools within OLI and Mull clusters have worked with Dr Lio Moscardini to develop cognitively
guided instruction, an approach to problem solving within schools. As of March 2023, 73.3% of
staff were confident that CGI was having or would have a positive effect on pupils, 13.3% were
extremely confident. Evidence from Head Teachers and practitioners shows that this approach
has had a particular impact on lower ability pupils: by giving pupils different opportunities to
approach their work, practitioners report that it has levelled the playing field in classrooms.
 Authority-wide, numeracy based CLPL has been delivered to a total of 78 practitioners
representing all cluster areas, focusing primarily on the development of SEAL (stages of early
arithmetical learning) to support foundation skills in mathematical thinking. Support has also
been offered to ASN departments in 2 secondary schools. Numeracy ACEL attainment data
has risen from 69% across P1,4 & 7 in 2021 to a projected 70.95% as of Feb 23. 
Wellbeing , Rights and Relationships
As part of COVID renewal plans, schools have had a continued focus on positive relationships
focussing and the health and well-being of learners.  The Exchange are now providing a
counselling service for pupils aged 10+ within schools, again, this is helping to support the
wellbeing needs of pupils.  A focus on play pedagogy and outdoor learning alongside
developments in the health and wellbeing curriculum have also been an important focus within
school improvement plans to help support wellbeing. 
As it is anticipated that the United Nations Rights of the Child will become law later this year, a
UNCRC Conference for Head Teachers was held in November 2022.  The Rights Respecting
Schools Award continues to support schools in developing awareness of children’s rights across
our school communities as well as imbed a rights based approach within the school environment. 
In the past year, 16 schools have progressed their Rights Respecting Schools Journey.  With 45
Primary schools on their accreditation journey to achieve with UNICEF, 31 have achieved Bronze,
10 Silver, 4 Gold and a further 11 have registered to date.  A further 4 Silver accreditation visits
are due to take place between now and the end of term.  Support sessions for registered schools
(not yet accredited) and information session for schools yet to register are also being delivered.

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Equality and diversity has been a key focus for professional learning for staff. The career long
professional learning sway has provided a range of opportunities for staff to develop their
professional knowledge and reflect on the practice within this area.  As part of the Period Products
(Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021, schools have engaged in the My Tribe project which has
made period products available to pupils and staff across all our schools.  The launch of My Tribe
has been supported by two launch events and online webinars.  The webinar was recorded and
shared with practitioners to ensure that information was accessible post this series of support
events.   
Schools have enjoyed welcoming partners back into school to support the delivery of key aspects
of the curriculum.  The health and wellbeing drama productions that are delivered in partnership
with our colleagues in NHS returned to face to face delivery.  A total of 54 primary schools
attended the Smoke Free Me production that was aimed at P6/P7 pupils.  The performance was
updated to include information and scenarios around vaping.   
Head Teachers have received information with regards to key messages that have been
concluded from the March 2022 PIE Census.  With the updated national data released in
November, we were also able to draw comparisons against the national data.  Developments in
this area have been enhanced with professional learning from Connect who support the
partnership between parents/carers, parent councils and schools.  Schools and parent councils
are responding to the needs of their community in how they are structuring events and meetings
with many Parent Council meetings continuing to take place virtually, increasing accessibility and
reducing travel requirements.  The partnership working is also helping school communities
respond to financial and environmental pressures with examples of good practice including
Christmas jumper/dress swaps.

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School Contacts
School Contact Position Address Phone No. 
Barcaldine Primary Caroline Fothergill/Elaine
Campbell
Temporary shared
headship with
Rockfield Primary
Barcaldine, Connel, PA37 1SG 01631
720391
Bunessan Primary Kate Petrie Head Teacher Bunessan, Isle of Mull, PA67
6DL
01681
700283
Dalmally Primary Lynn Sinclair Head Teacher  Dalmally, Argyll PA33 1BE 01838
200359
Dervaig Primary Tricia Evans Head Teacher Dervaig, Isle of Mull, PA75
6QW
01688
400227
Dunbeg Primary Marny McCulloch Head Teacher Dunbeg, Connel, PA37 1QF 01631
564781
Easdale Primary Judith Frost Head Teacher
(Joint Headship with
Luing – currently
mothballed)
Easdale, Oban, PA34 4RF 01852
300243
Iona Primary Stephen Glen- Lee Head Teacher Isle of Iona, PA76 6SJ 01681
700348
Kilchattan Primary Kim Bentley Head Teacher Isle of Colonsay, Argyll, PA61
7YR
01951
200340
Kilninver Primary Sharon Burt  Head Teacher  Kilninver, Oban, PA34 4UT 01852
316236
Lismore Primary Debbie Harris  Head Teacher Isle of Lismore, Oban, PA34
5UG
01631
760258
Lochdonhead
Primary
Susie Carmichael  Head Teacher (Joint
Headship with Ulva
Primary)
Lochdonhead, Isle of Mull,
PA64 6AP
01680
812473
Lochnell Primary Allison  Acting Head Teacher Lochnell, Ledaig, Connel, Argyll
PA37 1QS
01631
720300
Park Primary Shirley Stuart  Head Teacher Kerrera Terrace, Oban, PA34
5AU
01631
563941
Rockfield Primary Caroline Fothergill Head Teacher Oban Primary Campus, 
Soroba Road, Oban, PA34
4SB
01631
568090/5680
91 
Salen Primary Mairi Maclean Head Teacher Salen, Isle of Mull, PA72 6JL 01680
300348
St Columba’s
Primary
Michaelina MacLellan Head Teacher Oban Primary Campus, 
Soroba Road, Oban, PA34
4SB
01631
568092/
568090
Strath of Appin
Primary
Natalie White Head Teacher Strath of Appin, Appin, PA38
4BG
01631
730345
Taynuilt Primary Bernie McMillan Head Teacher Taynuilt, Argyll, PA35 1JE 01866
822343
Tiree HS Primary Peter Bain  Head Teacher Isle of Tiree, PA77 6XA 01879
220383/
220790

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Tobermory HS
Primary Dept.
Julien McKenzie Acting Depute Head
Teacher
Tobermory, Isle of Mull, PA75
6PB
01688
302062