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Shetland Islands

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

27
Schools
2,645
Pupils
263
Teachers (FTE)
9
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.

Open teaching jobs across Shetland Islands

Current vacancies at schools in this council. Applications are handled externally.

Showing 1–9 of 9

Teacher

Anderson High School · Lerwick

Teacher of Business Education - Anderson High School
Full time£37,935 – £55,611 a year
Closes 17 Jun 2026View & apply
Teaching Assistant

Whiteness Primary School · Whiteness

Learning Support Worker - Whiteness Primary School
Part time£16 – £18 HOUR
Closes in 7 daysView & apply
Role

Sandwick Junior High School · Sandwick

Supervisory Assistant - Sandwick Junior High School
Part time£15 – £15 HOUR
Closes in 7 daysView & apply
Teacher

Scalloway Primary School · Scalloway

Practitioner - Early Learning & Childcare - Scalloway Primary School
Part time£17 – £19 HOUR
Closes in 7 daysView & apply
Teacher

Baltasound Junior High School · Unst

Teacher of Additional Support Needs - Baltasound Junior High School
Part time£23 – £34 HOUR
Closes in 6 daysView & apply
Teacher

Anderson High School · Lerwick

Teacher of Science & Physics - Anderson High School
Full time£37,935 – £55,611 a year
Closes in 6 daysView & apply
Teacher

Anderson High School · Lerwick

Teachers of Additional Support Needs (Complex Needs) (1 x Part Time & 1 x Full Time) - Anderson High School
Full time£37,935 – £55,611 a year
Closes in 6 daysView & apply
Teacher

Mid Yell Junior High School · Mid Yell

Teacher of Craft, Design & Technology - Mid Yell & Baltasound Junior High Schools
Full time£37,935 – £55,611 a year
Closes in 6 daysView & apply
Teacher

Fair Isle Primary School · Fair Isle

Practitioner - Early Learning & Childcare - Fair Isle Primary School
Part time£19 – £19 HOUR
Closes in 3 daysView & apply
All teaching jobs in Scotland →

Schools in Shetland Islands

View all 27 schools in Shetland Islands