A dream teaching job in Shetland

By Promote ShetlandMay 27th 2022

Moving to a new place can be daunting, not least when it's an island community where you don't now a soul, but for teacher Ashley Robertson, who took up a probationary post in 2020, it turned out to be a wonderful, life-changing decision.

Ashley Robertson didn’t know anything about Shetland until she was offered the chance to do her probationary teaching year in Lerwick’s Anderson High School. As a newly qualified biology and science teacher, Ashley was weighing up her options when the opportunity arose.

“I’m from Clackmannanshire and was just finishing up my teacher training with the University of Strathclyde when I was offered the post,” she says. “I did a lot of Googling to find out more about Shetland. I figured I had nothing to lose, moving here for a year, so I just went for it.”

Ashley moved to Shetland in the summer of 2020 at the height of the pandemic. Despite the challenges of the various lockdowns and with many facilities and amenities being closed in that first year, she was immediately smitten with the place.

“I felt at home here straightaway. I love it. The people, the place. There’s nothing I miss about living south,” she enthuses.

Far from the remote, rural picture often painted of island life, Ashley was struck by how busy and bustling the town of Lerwick was, particularly the school itself.

Ashley is a science and biology teacher at Lerwick's Anderson High School | Jonathon Butler

“Anderson High is such a normal school. It’s just like any other comprehensive I’ve done placements in,” she says. “There’s a really good mix of kids and good classroom sizes. The school facilities are excellent too and the science department is so well stocked.”

Moving to a new place where you don’t know anyone at the age of 23 might seem like a daunting prospect, but Ashley says she was made to feel welcome from the beginning.

“I was in contact with the school before the move and they helped me to look for a place to stay. All the staff and people I’ve met since the move couldn’t have been more welcoming,” she says.

There’s a really good mix of kids and good classroom sizes. The school facilities are excellent too.

Ashley enjoys Shetland's glorious beaches in her free time | Stephen Mercer

One of the main attractions for people moving to Shetland is the breadth of things to see and do. As well as enjoying the great outdoors, with wonderful walks and wildlife on your doorstep, there’s also lots of local clubs and activities to get involved in.

“Since moving here I took up Fair Isle knitting classes, which I really love,” she says. “There are so many wee groups you can join. I’ve also started wild swimming, which is amazing. Shetland has so many beautiful, clean beaches.

“Having moved up in the pandemic, a lot of places were closed, but now I’m really enjoying all the cafes and bars – there are lots of nice places to go to eat, which people might be surprised to hear.”

It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I’d encourage anyone to give it a go. It doesn’t have to be forever, but once you get here you won’t regret it.

Ashley now calls Shetland 'home' | Stephen Mercer

After completing her probationary year, Ashley, now 25, accepted a full-time teaching post at the Anderson High School. She’s also moved to the village of Scalloway where she lives with her partner, who she met in the isles. At this moment in time, she can’t think of any reason why she’d ever leave Shetland.

“I can see myself living here forever,” she smiles. “It’s got everything I could ever want. People ask me if I miss my family but they’re only a short ferry trip away. I take advantage of the islander discount on the ferry and take weekend trips to Aberdeen when I can.”

I felt at home here straightaway. I love it. The people, the place. There’s nothing I miss about living south

Ashley teaching pupils science at the Anderson High School | Stephen Mercer

For anybody considering a placement year or teaching job in Shetland, Ashley offers these final words of advice: “Just do it! It was purely the luck of the draw that I ended up here. It wasn’t somewhere I’d have necessarily have chosen to come to myself, but now I don’t want to leave” she says.

“It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I’d encourage anyone to give it a go. It doesn’t have to be forever, but once you get here you won’t regret it.”

If you're inspired by Ashley's story and interested in taking up a teaching post in Shetland, see our Current Vacancies page for the latest teaching job listings.

A dream teaching job in Shetland

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