Training offered to Education Scotland Advisory Board members: FOI release

Information requested

Training offered to all members of the Advisory Board, whether they are Executive or non-Executive members, but only in their capacity as Board members. I recognise that training may be offered to executive Directors which although useful for their role as a member of the Advisory Board is actually provided to them as Directors and as such as part of Education Scotland's Leadership Team. If therefore the cost threshold for replying is an issue please restrict your response to the non-Executive members. Essentially though I am asking about training offered specifically to the members of the Advisory Board.

Response

The training offered to members of the Advisory Board for the period 1 April 2020 - 10 July 2025 is detailed below:

Training	Objectives	Date	Attendance
Scottish Government Public Bodies Unit “Welcome on Board” event	To provide attendees with: -a greater understanding of Scottish Ministers’ vision for public bodies in Scotland; -learn more about the public sector context, maximising resources, the impact of successful Boards and the key skills for being a better Board member; and to: -provide the opportunity to share experiences with fellow Board members.	September 2020	All six Non-Executive board members
On Board Governance Training	To provide attendees with practical information and guidance on their roles and responsibilities, ethical standards, accountability and governance.	February 2021	Nine of the twelve then board members
Cyber Resilience training	To increase awareness of cyber risks.	February 2023	One Non- Executive board member

The Non-Executive Board Members and the Agency’s Accountable Officer also have access to the Scottish Government’s Governance Hub. This is an online learning platform designed to support Boards and Accountable officers, in their respective roles, on the themes of governance and accountability.

We also offered Effective Audit and Risk Committee training in June 2020 to the Non-Executive Board Members who also sit on our Audit and Risk Committee.

We did not mandate any of the above. Training needs are identified as part of our performance appraisal process, with decisions about attendance taken at the individual level based on an individual’s level of experience and knowledge.

​​​​​​​Education Scotland do not hold a record of the training materials supplied during the above events. This is therefore a formal notice under section 17(1) that Education Scotland does not hold the information you have requested.​​​​​​​

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