New Chief Inspector of Education

A new Chief Inspector of Education for Scotland has been appointed.

Gayle Gorman, currently Director of Education and Children's Services with Aberdeen City Council, will take up the role of Chief Inspector of Education and Education Scotland Chief Executive on 4 December.

‎An interim leadership team has been in place during the recruitment process to replace Bill Maxwell, who retired earlier this year.‎ Karen Reid had taken on the role of interim Chief Executive while Graeme Logan was interim Chief Inspector of Education.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said:

"I am pleased to confirm Gayle Gorman will be Scotland's new ‎Chief Inspector of Education.

"Education is this government’s number one priority and‎ I am confident Gayle's considerable experience and expertise will provide the strong leadership we need as we implement the next stage of our reforms to close the attainment gap and raise standards for all.

"I would like to thank Karen Reid and Graeme Logan for the leadership they have given to Education Scotland over recent months."

Gayle Gorman said:

‎"I am delighted to take on this exciting new role and am very much looking forward to working in partnership with colleagues locally, regionally and nationally to support Scotland’s children and young people.

“I am passionate about the ability of education to change lives and have always put children and young people at the centre of my working life. The opportunity to represent and listen to Scotland’s children is one I look forward to.‎"

Background

Gayle Gorman has been Director of Education and Children’s Services with Aberdeen City Council since 2014. Additionally, she has been Coordinating Director of the Aberdeen City Council/Northern Alliance Improvement Collaborative for the North of Scotland.

Her initial appointment in Aberdeen was as Director of Education, Culture and Sport in 2013, having moved from Cambridgeshire County Council where she was Director of Learning 2010-2013.

Her early career was in primary teaching, before she became involved in curriculum development, first with Essex County Council as Ofsted Inspector, and subsequently with the Department for Education (DfE) where she focussed on improving outcomes in poorly performing schools, and literacy programmes.

Between 2006 and 2010 she undertook roles as a Senior Regional Adviser and latterly as National Senior Director at the DfE.‎

Karen Reid is Chief Executive of the C‎are Inspectorate.