Shetland Islands

27 schools · 20 primary · 1 secondary · 9 open teaching jobs

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Schools

2,645

Pupils

263

Teachers (FTE)

Open jobs

Shetland Islands is one of Scotland's 33 local authorities (councils), responsible for 27 state schools — 20 primary, 1 secondary, educating around 2,645 pupils with 263 full-time-equivalent teachers. In 2024-25, Shetland Islands spent around £12,405 per primary pupil and £14,294 per secondary pupil — above the Scotland averages of £7,606 and £9,338. In 2024-25, 94.5% of school leavers went on to a positive destination (below the Scotland average of 95.7%), and 29.8% left with five or more Highers (Scotland average 40.8%). Schools in Shetland Islands are inspected by Education Scotland on a six-point scale. There are currently 9 open teaching jobs across Shetland Islands. Browse every school by town, view pupil and staffing data, or compare schools side by side.

Education spending in Shetland Islands

Gross council expenditure per pupil/place, shown against the Scotland average (2024-25).

£12,405

per primary pupil

▲ 63%vs Scotland (£7,606)

£14,294

per secondary pupil

▲ 53%vs Scotland (£9,338)

£17,133

per pre-school place

▲ 42%vs Scotland (£12,055)

Source: Local Government Benchmarking Framework (Improvement Service), 2024-25, under the Open Government Licence. A higher figure is typical of rural and island councils, where smaller schools cost more per pupil to run — it does not by itself mean better-resourced classrooms.

School outcomes in Shetland Islands

How this council's schools compare to the Scotland average (2024-25). Higher is better.

94.5%

Positive destinations

▼ 1.2 ptsvs Scotland (95.7%)

72.3%

5+ at National 5

▲ 3.7 ptsvs Scotland (68.6%)

29.8%

5+ Highers

▼ 11 ptsvs Scotland (40.8%)

70.5%

Primary literacy

▼ 4 ptsvs Scotland (74.5%)

76.8%

Primary numeracy

▼ 3.5 ptsvs Scotland (80.3%)

91.5%

Attendance rate

▲ 0.5 ptsvs Scotland (91%)

81.3%

Parents satisfied

▲ 12.3 ptsvs Scotland (69%)

Source: Local Government Benchmarking Framework (Improvement Service), 2024-25, under the Open Government Licence. Outcomes are council-wide averages and reflect each school's intake and catchment, not just its teaching.