Teaching at the edge of the world: life as a teacher in Fair Isle

With a handful of pupils and a unique sense of community, Fair Isle Primary School plays a vital role at the heart of island life.

In this blog, Jonathan Pye, the island’s teacher, writes about what it’s like to live and work in such a remarkable place – from the journey that brought him to Fair Isle to the rewards and joys of teaching in a close-knit setting.

His experience sheds light on the opportunities available for those looking to take their careers in a new direction – one rooted in community, resilience, and a strong connection to nature.

How did you first hear about the teaching opportunity in Fair Isle? 

I know there were lots of media articles, intrigue and interest about the post, but even before those, I actually knew that there would be an opportunity to teach in Fair Isle appearing on the horizon at some stage, so I kept an eye on the myjobscotland website and applied when it was advertised.

What was the process of moving to Fair Isle like, both logistically and emotionally? 

Emotionally, it was tough. Before Fair Isle, I was teaching on the Isle of Jura in a similar close-knit community and saying goodbye to good friends and to the wonderful children there was very difficult and actually quite gut-wrenching. But I knew the time was right, and luckily, I was able to move from one beautiful island to another.

Logistically, I just accepted that moving from one remote island to another was going to be a whirlwind and a rollercoaster. Fortunately, I had lots of great support from people in Fair Isle, alongside the authority.

I will always remember the day my worldly possessions arrived on the ferry and the kindness of the folk who appeared with trailers and then helped me unload everything at my new lodgings. I really felt, and will forever be grateful for, that support. Hiring a Shetland removal company from Unst definitely helped (shout-out to Reid Removals).

In what ways does teaching in Fair Isle differ from teaching in more populated areas? 

There is a magic to teaching in Fair Isle, and I am proud to say I am the Principal Teacher at the UK’s most geographically remote primary school.

A philosophy I have is that it shouldn’t matter if you are a child growing up in a town of 500,000 people, a town of 5,000 people or an island of 50 – you should be entitled to an equally rich school experience. When you teach in rural or remote schools, you really feel their individuality and “thisness”. Y

ou must always remember that you are there to serve the community and the children who live there. It is important to recognise that no individual is ever bigger than the school, alongside its strong heritage and history; nowhere is this more true than in an island like Fair Isle.

What unique benefits do children in Fair Isle gain from growing up and learning in such a small island community? 

The answer is in the question, “community”. Our community is really invested in our children and wants to see them thrive. Therefore, the opportunities the children have to explore their island are, in some ways, unrivalled.

They are able to meet, mix and socialise with adults who see and appreciate their worth. We have strong links with the newly reopened Bird Observatory and, seeing as Fair Isle is one of the most popular destinations for cruise ships, the children meet people from all over the world when they sell wares in the hall during the visits.

We are aware that what children experience and have access to in the mainland is not available here, so we have a good number of trips off the isle each year for enrichment, such as swimming, and to allow the children to become used to the surroundings they will eventually encounter at High School.

Can you describe what a typical school day looks like for you and your pupils? 

Our school day is not wildly different to any other school day up and down the land. We still start the day at 9am and finish at 3pm.

What is great about teaching with such small numbers is that children can really learn from and support each other, and you can take the learning in a direction that is tailored to the children’s interests if you’d like to. Obviously, we love being in the outdoors when we can and take advantage of it during the long summer days before the winter sets in.

How do you approach teaching a mixed-age class in a remote setting like Fair Isle? 

You just have to be flexible and creative. You have the privilege of seeing children develop year upon year so you can begin to tailor the learning in specific ways to suit the learning styles of the children, because you know them well.

Shetland as an authority really values relationships and “knowing your children”. Wherever I have taught, especially in a mixed-aged class, I think this is what is at the heart of good teaching.

Again, with such small numbers, you can also teach to the ability and not the age, and children can learn at their own pace, drive and take ownership of their learning, which is lovely to see. We also love to involve our nursery (ELC) as much as we can to aid transition across the school. There is a bit of plate-spinning, but then there is in every class.

How does the wider Fair Isle community support the school and your role as a teacher? 

We receive unquestionable support from the local community, who take pride in their school. It is an incredibly important and meaningful relationship. Nowhere is the old saying that “it takes a community to raise a child” more evident than in Fair Isle.

From school grounds-tidy days to The Great British Beach Clean to harvest fundraising through to all those other events I am yet to experience, like pantomimes and plays, folk will always be rooting for the school children.

What advice would you give to someone considering a teaching role in a community like Fair Isle?

To move from considering teaching to going for it, if you feel it is right for you. I have never looked back since moving to teach in a remote island community.

I would, however, encourage people to do as much research as they can and try to speak to folk in the community before they apply (maybe even visit). You won’t regret it. Fair Isle is a wonderful place to live and work.

Keep an eye out for jobs in Fair Isle and across Shetland – Current Vacancies