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Policy

Schools

From
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills
Directorate
Learning Directorate, +1 more … Education Reform Directorate
Topic
Children and families, Education
Policy actions  1 of 12

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 

The Education (Scotland) Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 25 June 2025.

This legislation drew on recommendations from Professor Ken Muir’s 'Putting Learners at the Centre’ report, published in March 2022.

Now that the Bill has passed, Qualifications Scotland will be formally established as the replacement for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and will have responsibility for the delivery and awarding of qualifications in Scotland. The new body will begin operations in autumn 2025.

Enhanced governance and accountability measures were included in the legislation, meaning the voices of key stakeholders, such as teachers and practitioners and children and young people, are always heard. Additionally, the new qualifications body will adopt changed culture and practices, ensuring that it is collaborative, learner centred and focusing on those in learning communities across Scotland.

The Bill also established His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education in Scotland (HMIE) by removing the inspection function from our national education agency – Education Scotland.

HMIE will have the ability to set the frequency and focus of inspections, moving the balance of this power from Scottish ministers to the Chief Inspector of Education. Its governance models will also ensure there will be greater learner and service user engagement and representation. These changes will help to instil confidence in the body and its independence.

Education Scotland will be also become a curriculum focused organisation, centring on 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. 

The Centre for Teaching Excellence (Centre), hosted by the University of Glasgow, has now been launched and is now supporting teachers across Scotland.

The Centre ensures that teachers are able to access the most up to date research and resources on teaching practices. This supports practitioners to improve their knowledge and skills, which in turn leads to higher quality learning experiences for children and young people. 

Curriculum, qualifications and assessment reform

Important changes to the curriculum, qualifications and assessment system in Scotland are being made to ensure that the system better supports children and young people. These changes are detailed in the paper published in June 2025, which includes a timeline for when this work is expected to be completed.

The recommendations of the OECD report in 2021, the National Discussion 2023 and the Scottish Government's response to the Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment were all considered in the decisions made regarding changes to curriculum, qualifications and assessment.

The Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC) began in early 2024 and is being led by Education Scotland. The CIC aims to evolve the curriculum to ensure it 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. 

As set out in the timeline, the renewed curriculum guidance is anticipated to be available to teachers and practitioners in 2027. This will be implemented from the beginning of the 2028/29 academic year for those up to Third Level (P1 to S3), with the adoption for Fourth Level and beyond (S4 to S6) taking place in the 2029/30 academic year.

Qualifications and assessment reform will be led by the SQA, and key delivery partners such as Education Scotland, the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership (SCQF) and Skills Development Scotland (SDS). The aim is to ensure our children and young people gain recognition for the knowledge, skills, understanding, attributes and capabilities that will equip them for future success.

Qualifications currently used in the Senior Phase (S4 to S6) will be reviewed and reformed, with work also being undertaken to ensure parity of esteem between qualification types.  An approach to assessment in the senior phase which will include a reduced focus on exams, where appropriate, and will include digital assessment.

Education Scotland and SDS will continue the co-design work on Scotland’s Learner Profile, a digital profile used to recognise the wider skills and achievements gained in education.

The work undertaken to improve the curriculum will drive change to qualifications and assessment. We expect a new curriculum to be formally adopted in 2028 with associated qualifications becoming available in 2031. 

The changes will ensure the curriculum, assessment and range of qualification types available to learners in Scotland remain forward looking, inclusive and support high quality teaching and learning, and improved attainment and achievement for all.

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: 

  • supports people to take the right path at the right time and fulfil their potential 

  • is more responsive to our economic, environmental and social needs and ambitions 

  • 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. 

 

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