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 G - Remit And Membership Of The Advisory Group
Overview
In line with his remit, the Independent Professional Advisor convened an Advisory Group to provide structured support and expert challenge throughout the development of this report. The establishment of the group ensured that the Advisor’s work was informed by a broad range of professional perspectives and grounded in the realities of practice across Scotland’s education system.
Purpose
The Advisory Group served as a key forum for informed dialogue, offering strategic guidance on the issues under consideration. Over the course of the project, members acted as a critical sounding board by testing emerging ideas, interrogating underlying assumptions, and assessing the feasibility of proposed approaches. Their contributions strengthened the analytical rigour of the work, helping to ensure that potential recommendations were both evidence‑based and operationally credible. This collaborative process provided assurance that the proposals ultimately presented to Ministers were well aligned with wider strategic priorities and sensitive to the context in which they would be implemented.
Membership and Ways of Working
The Advisory Group’s membership was selected to provide a breadth of relevant expertise and perspectives, including leaders from primary and secondary schools, representing rural, island and urban settings. Representatives from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education, Qualifications Scotland and Education Scotland provided support and challenge to the IPA and school leaders as they developed the recommendations.
Frequency of Meetings
The advisory group met at least once every six weeks between September 2025 and March 2026.
Membership
Andy Smith Head Teacher of Larkhall Academy, South Lanarkshire Council. Formerly HT/Rector of two other schools; SLS President 2014-15; Former GTCS Council member.
Colin Meikle Head Teacher of Craigmount High School, City of Edinburgh Council. SLS office bearer.
Donna Stewart Chief Qualifications and Examinations Officer, Qualifications Scotland
Dr David Gregory Strategic Director, Education Scotland.
John Devine Former Head of Breadalbane Academy, Perth and Kinross Council. Former elected member of GTCS and Convener of the Finance and Corporate services committee.
Ruth McKay Head Teacher of Kirkwall Grammar School, Orkney Islands Council. Formerly HT of two previous schools. Current SLS office bearer.
Stuart Cathro HM Inspector His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIE)
Tim Wallace Head Teacher of Preston Tower Primary School, East Lothian Council. Previously HT in three schools in three different authorities. Formerly advisor to SG. Fellow of SCEL. Currently Vice-President of AHDS