Education reform
Scotland’s education system is being reformed to improve outcomes for learners of all ages, while ensuring that those delivering education in settings, schools and colleges are better supported.
Our education reform programme has been informed by a series of independent reviews which were published between 2021 and 2023. These reports detail ways in which we could build on the strengths of the current system, for the betterment of children and young people, adult learners and practitioners.
Education reform is about drawing on the strengths and successes of our system and ensuring it is ready to meet changing needs now, and in the future.
Education bodies
Our commitments include reforming our national education organisations.
The legislation for the Education (Scotland) Bill, which was published on 5 June 2024, is based on recommendations from Professor Ken Muir’s 'Putting Learners at the Centre’ report, published in March 2022.
The Bill will establish Qualifications Scotland, the replacement for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), and HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) by removing the inspection function from our national education agency – Education Scotland.
It is intended that these new bodies will be operational towards the end of 2025, subject to the views of Parliament as it considers the Bill.
Additionally, work is ongoing to refocus Education Scotland’s functions. The national education agency will have a primary focus on the design, delivery and ongoing improvement of the curriculum that is taught in schools and settings across the country.
The national agency will also have an important role in supporting a thriving professional learning sector through a national framework and will build on the existing and well-regarded national leadership professional learning programmes.
A Centre for Teaching Excellence (Centre) is also being established to ensure that teachers are able to access the most up to date research and resources on teaching practices. This will support practitioners to improve their knowledge and skills, which will in turn lead to higher quality learning experiences for children and young people.
Teachers and professional associations helped to design the scope for the Centre, alongside the expertise of local government and our national education bodies, to ensure that it meets the needs of the teaching profession. We are working to appoint a host institution for the Centre from the university sector, with this expected to be confirmed by the end of 2024.
Qualifications and assessment
A review led by Professor Louise Hayward, the independent review of qualifications and assessment (IRQA), was undertaken. The final report, It’s Our Future, was published in June 2023.
Our response to the IRQA was provided to Parliament in September 2024. In it, there is a commitment to changing the balance of assessment used for pupils in S4 to S6 in Scotland. This will see internal and continuous assessment used more widely to award final grades.
Exams will remain part of the overall approach to assessment, while some more practical courses may not have written exams in future.
Curriculum reform
The OECD review on the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), published in 2021, praised what is taught in schools in Scotland, but also noted areas where improvements could be made.
The recommendations noted that CfE should be reflective of changes in society, evolution within education, and see a longer-term strategy employed to ensure its continuous improvement.
We announced in December 2023 that there would be a Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC). This is being led by Education Scotland. The first subject area undergoing this process will be maths and numeracy.
The CIC will ensure the curriculum supports high quality teaching and learning, while ensuring that what is taught in settings and schools across the country continues to be relevant and forward looking.
Post-school education and training
The Post-School Education and Skills Reform Programme is a distinct programme, which is being developed along with the Education Reform programme, as key elements in our public service reform commitments.
This programme has been developed in light of James Withers’ Independent Review of the Skills Delivery Landscape and the report and initial priorities on the Purpose and Principles for Post-School Education, Research and Skills.
The programme objectives are to reform the post-school education and skills system so that it:
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supports people to take the right path at the right time and fulfil their potential
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is more responsive to our economic, environmental and social needs and ambitions
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delivers better value for money across the system
Next steps
By carrying out these extensive reforms we will ensure that every person in Scotland is equipped with the education and skills they need to reach their full potential.
We will continue to listen carefully to learners of all ages, teachers, parents, carers and practitioners and will work closely with our partners to achieve excellent learning and teaching across Scotland.