Qualifications Body Transition Board minutes - January 2026

Attendees and apologies

Members

• Clare Hicks, SG Director of Education Reform – Transition Board Co-Chair (CH)
• Shirley Rogers, SQA Board Chair – Transition Board Co-Chair (SR)
• Kirsty Ayed, SLS (KA)
• Sarah Brown, SQA Schools Partnership Unit (SB)
• Andrew Crone, SQA Accreditation (AC)
• Liz Cunningham, Unison (LC)
• Ronnie Erskine, SQA Board (RE)
• Seán Hagney, SQA Board (SH)
• Andy Harvey, EIS (AH)
• Chris Kelly, CBI (CK)
• Erin McCabe, Unite (EM)
• Stuart McKenna, Scottish Training Federation (SM)
• Isabel Nisbet, Independent Advisor (IN)
• Nick Page, SQA Chief Executive (NP)
• Seamus Searson, SSTA (SS)
• Andy Witty, Colleges Scotland (AW)

In attendance

• Eni Adesida, SG (EA)
• Andy Alston, SQA (AA)
• John Booth, SQA Director of Communications (JB)
• Steve Borley, SQA (StB)
• Bill Cullen, SQA (BC)
• Sarah Hart, SG (SaH)
• Dawnne Mahmoud, SQA Director of People (DM)
• Jaxon Parish, SG (JP)
• Joanne Sammels, SQA Governance (JS)

Secretariat

• Keegan Friel, SQA (KF)
• John Keenan, SG (JK)
• Anna Kerr, SQA (AK)
• Niamh McGhee, SG (NM)

Apologies

• Naureen Ahmad, SG Deputy Director, Lifelong Learning and Skills
• Reid Aiton, Young Scot
• Karen Ferguson, SQA

• Mark Ratter, ADES

• Ken Thomson SQA Board

Items and actions

Opening remarks

Welcome and apologies

CH welcomed everyone to the final Transition Board meeting before the full establishment of Qualifications Scotland as an operational body on 1 February noting that the inaugural board meeting is expected to take place in early February. Apologies were noted.

Declaration of any conflicts of interest

There were no declarations of conflicts of interest.

Approval of minutes of meeting on 11 November and matters arising

There were no further comments on the minutes for the November meeting, so they are approved for publication.

Implementation plan

Vision for Education and Skills Reform

Education and Skills Reform Programme update

SaH presented an update on the Education Reform Programme as it approaches the last days of transition work before the establishment of the new bodies. Work on HMIE and Education Scotland was highlighted, in particular the successful recruitment of a new Chief Inspector. SH also noted the renewed focus on the alignment of curriculum improvement and qualifications reform which feeds into the broader public service reform agenda.

An update was also provided on the related legislation, noting that commencement arrangements are currently on track with some further small pieces of technical legislation still to be taken forward.

Members asked for more information regarding the composition of the Strategic Advisory Council, with JP providing assurance that the regulations will have explicit criteria for specific stakeholder groups to be appointed as members.

StB noted that application window for the Teacher and Practitioner and Learner Interest Committees will open on the first operational week for Qualifications Scotland. SR provided additional assurance that work is ongoing to ensure that the Committee meetings provide maximum flexibility and accessibility for prospective members.

EA updated on the Scottish Government’s Lifelong Learning and Skills Programme, focusing on the progress of the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill, which passed Stage 3 on 20 January. Work on the Colleges Tackling Child Poverty Fund was highlighted, including the announcement of funding to support adult learners. EA noted that the Qualifications Audit is now at the analysis stage, with a plan to meet with stakeholders to discuss results before consulting Ministers. SQA officials indicated that they are keen to see the analysis of the audit results and are happy to be involved in wider discussions.

Transition: what is required for day 1?

Programme Dashboard update (including Finance)

JB introduced the Programme Dashboard with an overview of transition activity, giving assurance that SQA is on track for the operational date of 1 February. He noted that reaching this point in transition was a significant achievement and thanked the programme team for their work so far. Activities planned and external comms for Monday 2 February were also highlighted.

BC discussed the Programme Dashboard in greater detail, highlighting work to bring the outstanding digital project to Green and to identify any remaining risks, as well as key actions to deliver Transition.

SR noted that internal auditors had reviewed transition work, including the operations of the Transition Board and thanked SQA’s trade unions and representative for their input into transition so far.

Pre-transition internal audit

BC noted that a pre-transition internal audit report was completed as part of the wider audit process, which looked at arrangements for transition and programme/project activities and all associated documentation and thanked RE for his assistance, particularly on risk.

SR provided further assurance regarding the composition of the inaugural Board of Qualifications Scotland in terms of the inclusion of teaching staff, business, learners and staff interests.

CH noted the Risk Register, which was issued to attendees as a below the line paper.

Transition achievement and next steps

CH thanked SR and the Transition Board for their work on transition so far and noted the work undertaken for the programme. SR echoed this and provided assurance that reform will continue past 1 February for Qualifications Scotland.

NP discussed the aims for ongoing transformation which will be set out in the forthcoming Corporate Plan and the engagement that will support this, outlining the key platforms and internal mechanisms that will underpin this work.

CH noted Qualifications Scotland’s governance arrangements going forward, highlighting the work of its new Board, and the additional oversight from the Programme Board and the sponsorship team. CH added that the key focus will now shift to delivering curriculum and qualifications reform.

Members also discussed the communications strategy for Qualifications Scotland’s international operations, with JB providing assurance that this will remain at the forefront of communications activities going forward. Members offered Comms support in promoting Qualifications Scotland becoming operational.

Transformation: what will happen longer-term?

Schools Partnership Team update

SB presented an update on the establishment and operations of SQA’s Schools Partnership Unit, noting its mission to ensure that Qualifications Scotland is seen as closer to teachers and learners in the classroom. SB went on to provide an overview of strategic alignment and staff composition, with thoughts on how the Unit can support work on transition.

Any other business

Both Co-Chairs thanked members for their participation in and contributions to the Transition Board throughout the period of transition.

Date of next meeting

This was the last meeting and the Transition Board will now be formally stood down.