Education / Headteacher still sought for remote island school
The post at the Foula school has been re-advertised
IT WAS described as a “once in a lifetime opportunity” – the chance to teach at a remote Shetland island school which only has four primary pupils.
The headteacher vacancy at Foula Primary School gained national media coverage, such as in the Guardian and the BBC.
But Shetland Islands Council has now re-advertised the role, which comes with a salary of £61,374 per annum.
A spokesperson said: “We were unable to appoint to the post at this time and have therefore re-advertised it.”
It mirrors a previous recruitment drive for a headteacher for the similarly remote Fair Isle, which ended up being re-advertised after worldwide interest.
In that case education officials suggested there were people applying who did not have the necessary qualifications.
Candidates interested in the Foula post advised they should say in their application whether they currently hold registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).
“If not, candidates should detail in their application whether they have sought confirmation that they will be able to be registered with the GTCS,” the job advert says.
Foula lies around 16 miles off the west of the Shetland mainland and the job advert says the community offers a “slower pace of life”.
It has a permanent population of just 28 people, and spans an area of around five square miles.
To get there you have to either take the ferry from Walls in Shetland’s west mainland, which takes around two hours, or a flight from Tingwall, which is much quicker at 15 minutes.
The island is known for its dramatic landscapes and birdlife, and it plays host to the second highest sea cliff in the UK, which reaches more than 1,200 feet.
The current postholder Beverley McPherson, who was appointed in 2019, is retiring.
The Foula Heritage group previously said the post is a “wonderful opportunity to live and work in a spectacular island and be part of a vibrant, creative and independent, caring crofting community”.
The successful applicant will also be offered a three-bedroom rented house.
Foula Primary School serves pupils from early years through to primary seven.
While there are four pupils on the primary roll, there is also one child in the nursery.
The Foula school was built in 1992 and comes complete with a solar panel array as well as a polytunnel which is also available for the community.
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