Education Scotland Chief Executive and HM Chief Inspector of Education recruitment information: FOI release

Information requested

You asked for information relating to the recruitment exercises carried out by Scottish Government for the Chief Executive, Education Scotland and HM Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland.

When the post of chief inspector was advertised in 2024, how many applications were received?

When the post of chief inspector was advertised in 2025, how many applications were received?

When the post of chief executive of Education Scotland was advertised in 2024, how many applications were received?

When the post of chief executive of Education Scotland was advertised in 2025, how many applications were received?

After the 2024 recruitment drive for the post of chief inspector of education, how many candidates were interviewed?

After the 2025 recruitment drive for the post of chief inspector of education, how many candidates were interviewed?

After the 2024 recruitment drive for the post of Education Scotland chief executive, how many candidates were interviewed?

After the 2025 recruitment drive for the post of Education Scotland chief executive, how many candidates were interviewed?

Response

I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.

When the post of chief inspector was advertised in 2024, how many applications were received?

The post was advertised on 17 September 2024 and 6 applications received.

When the post of chief inspector was advertised in 2025, how many applications were received?

The post was advertised on 16 January 2025 and 10 applications received.

When the post of chief executive of Education Scotland was advertised in 2024, how many applications were received?

The post was advertised on 17 September 2024 and 13 applications received.

When the post of chief executive of Education Scotland was advertised in 2025, how many applications were received?

The post was advertised on 16 January 2025 and 29 applications received.

After the 2024 recruitment drive for the post of chief inspector of education, how many candidates were interviewed?

No candidates were invited to interview.

After the 2025 recruitment drive for the post of chief inspector of education, how many candidates were interviewed?

Three candidates were invited to interview.

After the 2024 recruitment drive for the post of Education Scotland chief executive, how many candidates were interviewed?

No candidates were invited to interview.

After the 2025 recruitment drive for the post of Education Scotland chief executive, how many candidates were interviewed?

Four candidates were interviewed.

For both recruitment drives, and for both posts, please set out the interview process – this should include each stage of the process and what was involved; the dates of each stage of the process; and a rough idea of how long each stage lasted.

Assessment element	Method	Duration	Date Attended Chief Executive	Date Attended Chief Inspector
Leadership Style Assessment - online psychometric assessment Hogan Development Survey 16PF5 Ravens Adaptive Feedback Validation interview with occupational psychologist	Teams	20 mins 45 mins 12 mins 60 mins	Information not held	Information not held
Staff Engagement Exercise	Teams	1 hour	19 March	18 March
Stakeholder Engagement Exercise	Teams	1 hour	17 March	17 March
Meeting with Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills and Civil Service Commissioner	Teams	20 mins	28 March	28 March
Panel Interview	In Person	1 hour	3 April	4 April

How much has the recruitment process for the post of chief inspector of education cost to date – in the response please deal with each recruitment drive separately. As well as the total cost of each recruitment drive please include a full breakdown of the key costs incurred. (For instance, if a recruitment company was employed please include the name of the company and the sum paid to them in 2024, as well as the name of the company and the sum paid to them in in 2025.)

Chief Inspector of Education

	Advertising		Assessment	Executive Search	TOTAL
Year	TES	Penna	Keil Centre	Aspen
2024	£2,292.02		£750.00		£3,042.02
2025 (to-date)		£2,905.02	£8,673.00	£8,100.00	£19,678.02

How much has the recruitment process for the post of chief executive of Education Scotland cost to date – in the response please deal with each recruitment drive separately. As well as the total cost of each recruitment drive please include a full breakdown of the key costs incurred. (For instance, if a recruitment company was employed please include the name of the company and the sum paid to them in 2024, as well as the name of the company and the sum paid to them in in 2025.)

Chief Executive of ES

	Advertising		Assessment	Executive Search	TOTAL
Year	TES	Penna	Keil Centre	Aspen
2024	£2,292.02		£750.00		£3,042.02
2025 (to-date)		£2,905.02	£11,454.00	£6,480.00	£20,839.02

An exemption under section S.38(1) of FOISA applies to some the information you have requested as it includes personal data of a third party. This relates to your request "For both recruitment drives, and for both posts, please name the candidates that were interviewed".

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.