Education Reform Programme Board minutes - January 2026

Attendees and apologies

• Clare Hicks

• Alison Taylor

• Naureen Ahmad

• Lewis Hedge

• Lisa Bird

• John Booth

• Graeme Logan

• Laura Caven

• Sheena Devlin

• Chris Dunne

• Graham Thomson

• Molly Illingworth

• Fiona Comrie

Apologies

• Nick Page
• Shirley Laing
• Laurence Findlay
• Sarah Hart

PMO

• Pauline Hendry
• Lewis Worobec

Items and actions

Welcome and introductions

The Chair welcomed members and thanked them for attending the meeting.

Action tracking

Programme Board members to be updated on senior recruitment plans later in the summer, following Stage 3 of the Education (Scotland) Act - Recruitment for the Chief Inspector of HMIE has concluded with the appointment of Ruth Binks, commencing end of March subject to formalities. Recruitment for Education Scotland Chief Executive also underway. Programme Board members to be updated at the next meeting.

PMO to schedule programme benefits item for a future Programme Board meeting, to support consideration of future transformation priorities and delivery of curriculum and qualifications reform - Expecting the final Monitoring & Evaluation report in April. Following this, an update will be brought to Programme Board outlining the proposed way forward, including changes to the benefits model and high-level indications of a benefits realisation timeline.

Naureen Ahmad and Lewis Hedge to consider the relevant recommendations from the Independent Review of the Skills Delivery Landscape report on the skills framework and assess whether any additional points should be incorporated into the Curriculum and Qualifications dependency profile work - Work is ongoing in relation to the skills framework, including consideration of relevant recommendations from the Independent Review of the Skills Delivery Landscape. This has been raised through Assurance Board discussions, and a further update will be brought to the Programme Board in due course.

Chris Dunne to share the transformation roadmap with Programme Board members when available and bring item back to a future Board for discussion - Roadmap work has commenced and is in development and will be shared once ready.

Scottish Government (SG), Education Scotland (ES), HMIE, Qualifications Scotland, Centre for Teaching Excellence (CfTE) and Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES) to consider the best approach to establishing a collective view on how to prioritise digital projects that support reform and the wider aspirations of the education system, while also delivering fiscal sustainability and overall efficiencies. Report back to the end January Programme Board on the suggested approach - This action is dependent on ongoing engagement with Local Government Digital Office colleagues. A more detailed update will follow once there is an agreed position.

Members reflected on the ambition set out at the previous meeting to develop a more collective approach to prioritising digital activity across the education system. It was noted that initial exploratory conversations have taken place between senior leaders to identify areas where greater alignment could support reform and system efficiency. These early discussions highlighted potential themes for exploration, including more shared approaches to data and information, improved interoperability and access, and opportunities to strengthen common digital foundations such as platforms, identity and access management, shared design and procurement approaches.

Members emphasised the importance of situating this work within the wider Public Service Reform and post-school landscape, recognising the need for portfolio-level leadership and engagement with post-school national bodies. The Board noted the challenge of moving beyond repeated high-level discussions towards a clearer shared focus for collective effort, including the development of a strong case for investment where appropriate. Members agreed that wider engagement will be necessary to help progress this work, provide greater clarity on priorities, and support momentum, with further updates to be brought back to the Programme Board in due course.

Programme updates

The Chair noted that the Programme is at an important point in the establishment phase, with Qualifications Scotland due to assume its statutory functions from 1 February.

Members noted the recent announcement of the appointment of Ruth Binks as His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, due to take up post at the end of March subject to final formalities. It was also noted that recruitment for the Education Scotland Chief Executive role remains underway, with interviews expected to take place in mid-February. Members will be updated on progress at a future Programme Board.

An update was provided on pre-election guidance, noting that pre-election restrictions are expected to come into effect from late March, following the dissolution of Parliament. It was highlighted that this may have implications for programme activity, communications and engagement with partners, and that further consideration will be given to what activity can continue as business as usual during this period.

Members also noted that the Scottish Budget was published earlier in January and is progressing through parliamentary scrutiny. It was highlighted that the Programme will need to remain aligned with the wider Public Service Reform agenda, with ongoing monitoring to ensure affordability and deliverability as the budget position develops, recognising the challenging financial context.

Curriculum and Qualifications Reform Assurance Board

Members received an update from the most recent Curriculum and Qualifications Reform Assurance Board on implementation progress relating to the Curriculum Improvement Cycle and wider curriculum and qualifications reform activity.

Members noted that implementation work is underway, including curriculum development activity in priority areas such as maths and numeracy, with further outputs in development. Initial qualifications reform activity has also commenced, with Qualifications Scotland leading elements of early-stage delivery. Members noted that key milestones are approaching, including the sharing of the draft technical framework.

It was highlighted that implementation is expected to span the period from 2026 to 2028, during which the system will progressively prepare for adoption of the evolved curriculum and supporting framework. Discussion emphasised the importance of ensuring that technical development is supported by practical and proportionate implementation planning across the system.

Members discussed teacher time and system capacity as central to successful implementation. It was noted that existing in-service provision is likely to be necessary but not sufficient, and that additional professional learning and planning time will require careful consideration. Members emphasised the importance of manageability, prioritisation and curriculum decluttering to support workload and effective classroom adoption. The need for detailed and practical implementation planning was highlighted to support feasibility at system level.

Members highlighted the need for clear and consistent system signals on implementation timelines and expectations, with alignment across national priorities, school and local authority improvement planning and the developing skills framework. Discussion noted the importance of early partner and local authority engagement to support workforce and delivery planning, recognising that some dependencies, including industrial relations factors and class contact time, sit outside direct Programme Board control. Members emphasised the importance of regular and clear communications to schools and partners and noted that implementation and in-service activity may need to be phased and flexible. Advisory groups are being established, including early learning and primary sectors, to support manageability and sector specific planning.

Action: SG to continue engagement with local authorities and system partners on implementation feasibility, workforce implications and planning alignment, and reflect feedback in future Programme Board updates.

Action: SG, working with ES, Qualifications Scotland and ADES, to ensure communications and engagement activity provides clear and consistent system signals on implementation timelines, expectations and sequencing.

Members also received an update on ongoing work relating to senior phase curriculum and qualifications alignment. It was noted that discussions are continuing across partner bodies and have implications for organisations involved as well as delivery arrangements. Further detail will be brought back to a future Programme Board as proposals develop.

Members noted that current discussions aim to improve continuity across the 3–18 curriculum. Discussion referenced the potential for a shared evolved technical framework to support alignment across both areas.

Discussion highlighted the importance of ensuring engagement arrangements support the Curriculum Improvement Cycle and ongoing improvement activity. Members noted that questions of ownership and accountability for content currently recognised as national courses remain under consideration, including where responsibilities should sit across curriculum and qualifications functions. It was recognised that this is a technically and organisationally complex area with timeline and resourcing implications if not resolved.

The Chair welcomed progress towards greater clarity but noted that further work is required to align responsibilities and formalise cross-body arrangements, including clarifying how underpinning arrangements such as the memorandum of understanding may support delivery alignment.

Action: SG, working with ES and Qualifications Scotland, to continue development of cross-body arrangements to support senior phase alignment, including clarifying roles, ownership and underpinning governance arrangements (for example through a memorandum of understanding) and bring a further update to the Programme Board.

Delivery assessment and establishment of bodies - programme update

Members received an update on overall programme delivery and transition progress. It was reported that delivery remains broadly on track, with the overall assessment remaining Amber/Green. Qualifications Scotland is due to assume its statutory functions from 1 February, with transition delivery and communications activity progressing.

Members noted that implementation of transition plans for Education Scotland and HMIE is continuing, supported by ongoing programme oversight. Legislative commencement activity under the Education (Scotland) Act is progressing as planned. While additional secondary and technical provisions will continue to be taken forward during 2026, these will not prevent Qualifications Scotland from taking on new functions and implementing governance arrangements as scheduled.

Members noted that a small number of post-transition statutory requirements will follow, including matters relating to inspection frequency, review of quality assurance of National Qualifications, and accreditation functions. Further updates will be provided to the Programme Board as this work progresses.

Members also noted continued progress across related programme strands, including the Centre for Teaching Excellence. It was reported that three research hubs are now operational, with three further hubs planned to open in the Spring, supporting access to research and professional learning aligned to practitioner priorities.

An update was provided on fiscal sustainability work, noting activity is underway to strengthen financial sustainability, improve financial planning and reporting, and align budget processes with wider Public Service Reform expectations, recognising the continued financial pressures across the system.

Members noted that Qualifications Scotland Board appointments are now confirmed and publicly announced, with associated stakeholder communications activity underway. Further communications are planned, including engagement with system partners, to support awareness of new governance arrangements and leadership appointments. Related communications on research hub activity will also be shared with stakeholders.

Members noted a query regarding clarity of legal status, roles and responsibilities across the new and refocused education bodies, including how functions may differ in practice. This included reference to the Centre for Teaching Excellence and Education Scotland in relation to professional learning activity. It was highlighted that a short, clear summary of organisational roles, responsibilities and distinctions would support system understanding and stakeholder communications.

Action: SG to develop and issue short and concise communications setting out the roles and responsibilities of the new and refocused education bodies, including clarification of how the Centre for Teaching Excellence and Education Scotland functions differ in relation to professional learning activity.

Qualiications Scotland - Transition and readiness update

Members received an update on Qualifications Scotland readiness and delivery progress. It was reported that transition activity remains on track, with the organisation ready to assume statutory functions from 1 February. Key delivery workstreams, including digital platforms and systems, are progressing as planned, with updated web and service infrastructure going live early February with stakeholder communications supporting the transition.

Members noted that new governance arrangements are now in place, with Board appointments confirmed and publicly announced. Further stakeholder communications are being issued to support awareness of the transition and next phase of delivery. It was also noted that work is continuing on forward planning activity, including development of the corporate plan and future assessment approach.

The Board noted that the Transition Board has now concluded its work, having completed final assurance and sign-off of transition readiness. This was recognised as a significant programme milestone. The Chair thanked those involved for the work undertaken to reach this point and acknowledged the delivery effort across teams.

Education Scotland - Refocusing and transition update

Members received an update on Education Scotland’s refocusing and transition activity. It was noted that work is underway to reposition Education Scotland as a curriculum-focused agency. A primary focus remains operating within available budgets, with detailed work undertaken to assess functions, capacity and priorities in line with system needs and Public Service Reform requirements.

Members noted that operating model changes are being developed to support more project-based ways of working, with streamlined prioritisation and decision-making. A blended transition approach is being adopted to reduce delivery risk, with some corporate and shared functions continuing to operate across Education Scotland and HMIE; some for an interim period and others on an ongoing basis where this supports continuity and viability.

Good progress was reported on staff mapping and matching and corporate function design, with implementation changes planned in line with the new academic term. While several areas have reduced areas of risk through detailed planning and refinement of costings, members noted that the financial context remains challenging. Focus will continue on critical posts and functions, with further updates to be provided to the Programme Board in due course.

Members noted that, in the context of Education Scotland’s refocusing activity and ongoing budget pressures, there may be value in further considering longer-term financial sustainability opportunities linked to refocusing, operating model development and transition activity.

Action: SG and ES to bring update to a future Programme Board about progress of shared fiscal sustainability project.

HMIE - Transition and operational readiness update

Members received an update on HMIE transition and operational capability. It was noted that additional senior capability has recently been put in place to strengthen key corporate and statutory support functions as part of transition readiness.

Members noted that areas previously identified as risks, including data protection and legal support, have progressed with further assurance now available. Budget pressures remain a challenge, with shared service approaches contributing to financial sustainability planning. Scenario planning activity is also underway to support operational resilience across potential disruption risks.

Members were advised that recent inspection and thematic reports have been published, supported by associated communications activity. The Chair welcomed the update and noted the importance of maintaining close oversight as transition activity continues.

Programme risk profile overview

Members received an overview of the current Programme Risk Profile, informed by the latest Programme Risk and Dependency Management Group review. The Board noted changes in risk scoring since the previous meeting, reflecting progress across transition priorities and longer-term transformation and fiscal sustainability considerations.

Members noted that the risk relating to integration of Curriculum and Qualifications Reform across the education system has increased in score (from 150 to 200), reflecting ongoing cross-body discussions required to agree a way forward on senior phase alignment and delivery approach across the system. It was reported that mitigations are in place, including continued structured engagement with education bodies.

Members also noted that the Transformation Planning risk score has increased (from 75 to 200) following inclusion of the previous fiscal sustainability of national organisations risk. The transformation planning risk now incorporates longer-term sustainability considerations for national organisations, recognising the close dependency between long-term fiscal planning and building feasible, affordable transformation plans.

In discussion, members emphasised the importance of clear and consistent communication on the transformation journey, including what has already been achieved and what partners and stakeholders should expect next. Members noted that transformation risk mitigation will require strengthened communications and alignment of messaging, alongside active consideration of collaborative funding opportunities where appropriate.

Action: PMO to engage with Communications and Engagement lead to ensure transformation communications activity is reflected as a planned mitigating action within the transformation planning risk.

Action: Scottish Government Finance leads to have discussion on potential collaborative invest-to-save funding opportunities and ensure any relevant actions are reflected within transformation planning risk.

Governance, roadmap and benefits - forward planning

Members received an update on forward governance and programme planning as the current transition tranche approaches completion and preparation begins for the next transformation tranche. It was noted that forthcoming programme activity will place Curriculum Improvement Cycle and Qualifications Reform delivery at the core of the next phase, while recognising that some transition activity will continue in parallel.

Members noted that work is underway to review and refine governance arrangements for the next tranche, with the intention of ensuring alignment with transformation priorities, organisational development activity and Public Service Reform commitments. This includes consideration of the purpose, membership and structure of governance groups across the landscape, with a focus on proportionality, reduced duplication and clearer routes for stakeholder engagement on strategic issues. Early sight of proposed governance structures will be shared with Programme Board members for views in the coming months.

Members also noted that development of the next programme roadmap has commenced. This will take account of dependencies across reform activity, including links with post-school reform and local authority delivery considerations, and will reflect learning from the previous tranche in shaping the next phase approach.

An update was provided on benefits management and realisation planning. Members noted that the monitoring and evaluation strategy is nearing completion and will provide the foundation for the benefits approach going forward. Further work is underway to ensure alignment between the benefits model and the programme roadmap, including distinction between transition benefits and longer-term transformation benefits. A fuller benefits update and presentation will be brought to a future Programme Board.

In discussion, members welcomed the forward planning work and noted the value of reviewing governance arrangements and tranche structure in light of lessons learned to date. The importance of clear boundaries, dependency visibility and effective engagement routes through governance structures was emphasised. It was confirmed that there will be further opportunity for member input and engagement as proposals are developed.

Any other business

None - next meeting will take place on 26 March 2026.