Shaping the Future: Strengthening Scotland's education system through empowered schools
Final report of the Independent Professional Advisor on future school reform in Scotland, with a focus on improvement, funding and governance.
Appendix F - Independent Professional Advisor On Education Reform: Remit
This document sets out the role of the independent professional advisor (IPA) on education reform and the early priorities on which advice will be provided to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills.
The IPA role will be undertaken by John Wilson a former secondary head teacher for the period from end June 2025 to March 2026. This will fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to set out our priorities for future reform of school education by June 2025, appointing an experienced Headteacher to lead this work.
Scope
The IPA will provide advice to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills and Scottish Government on future reform priorities drawing on their experience as a secondary Headteacher and fully reflecting the ambition of empowered school leadership on the following priority areas for reform: education governance, school funding including Pupil Equity Funding, and support for school improvement.
Education governance – reflecting on the empowered school leaders guidance and the Headteacher Charter what are the areas where further focus and activity is required to support school leaders. Advice will be based on the practical implementation of any recommendations. There will be a need to interrogate and understand different perspectives on the pragmatic and practical implications, unintended consequences and perverse incentives, related to changes.
School funding – drawing on the experience of Devolved School Management and 10 years of Pupil Equity Funding, what are the future priorities for supporting empowered school leaders to deliver improved outcomes for every learner. Advice will reflect the range of experience across different schools and local authorities and consider practical changes to support teacher agency and school autonomy in a system which supports every child and young person to thrive.
Support for Improvement – reflecting on the recent HMIE thematic on LA support for school improvement which reflected inconsistent secondary school improvement outcomes provide advice on what should be prioritised to support self-evaluation for self-improvement, including the need to ensure that the quality of pedagogy reflects the quality of subject knowledge.
The IPA may establish an advisory group (AG), in consultation with the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, whose background and expertise will help ensure that full consideration is given to all aspects of the IPA’s remit. The IPA will also be able to draw on the expertise of the Secondary Headteacher Panel we are in the process of establishing. The IPA will also be able to draw on the expertise of the International Council of Education Advisers as they consider their advice.
The conclusions that the IPA reaches will be made independently and provided to the Scottish Government however they will have access to Scottish Government officials and appropriate data and information.
Activities
The IPA will make recommendations to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills on the changes needed to reform education governance, school funding, and support for school improvement from an empowered secondary school leader perspective. It will challenge assumptions and ask difficult questions to ensure that any proposals for change are supported by robust evidence and clear justification.
In carrying out its role, the IPA will consider its work within the wider context of the Education Reform programme, including the development of new national bodies, the Curriculum Improvement Cycle, and Qualifications Reform. It will also take into account feedback from a wide range of relevant stakeholders, notably learners and young people, parents, teachers, lecturers, professional organisations and associations, and both local and national policy makers. Ultimately, the IPA will produce practical recommendations capable of commanding broad support and will provide advice on appropriate timescales for delivering any proposed reforms.
Approach
The Advisor will meet monthly with Scottish Government sponsor officials to update on progress and timescales. The IPA will meet Cabinet Secretary twice during the lifespan of the work to update her on progress. The IPA will provide Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills with initial advice by October 2025.
Methodology
The Advisor will use a range of methods to generate evidence from policy, practice, and research, and will draw conclusions based on that evidence. This will include the review of relevant documentation and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders.
Timescales
The IPA will begin this work in late June 2025, and it will conclude in approximately March 2026.
Secretariat support
Secretariat support required by the IPA will be provided through the Education Reform Directorate in Scottish Government. This secretariat will support the IPA in their activities, including those set out above.
Sponsor arrangements
The Education Reform Division in the Education Reform Directorate will be the Chair’s sponsor Division within the Scottish Government. The named sponsor for this work will be Graham Thomson, Strategic Engagement Unit Head.