Update on programme of education and skills reform: FOI release

Information requested

The list of individuals and groups the Cabinet Secretary consult prior to making the statement on education reform on the 7th of November 2023. 

Response

In her statement on November 7, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills provided an update on the Scottish Government’s programme of education and skills reform. The update covered a number of topics including plans for the Centre for Teaching Excellence; the diversion of funding from the Regional Improvement Collaboratives to help support teachers; the launch of a Scottish Government consultation on the Education Bill; and other key aspects of the reform programme, such as the reform of qualifications and assessments.

Regarding the statement, the Cabinet Secretary engaged with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) and the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES). This was to advise them of the contents of the statement and launch of the consultation in line with the Verity House agreement.

The Cabinet Secretary also engaged with teaching profession trade unions and professional associations, including the Education Institute of Scotland (EIS) and the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT), to discuss the approach to developing the Centre for Teaching Excellence which formed part of her update to Parliament.

More broadly, the Cabinet Secretary and her officials regularly engage and consult with stakeholders, groups and individuals across the education and skills system. This engagement helps shape and inform policy decisions across the education and skills portfolio, including those areas covered in the statement . These stakeholders include children, young people, and adult learners, as well as people who represent those groups, including parents and carers; teaching profession trade unions, professional associations and other practitioner representative bodies; education and skills delivery bodies, local authorities; and others with an interest and stake in Scottish education and skills.

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