Response to Education Reform: A Consultation on the provisions of the Education Bill

In March 2022 the Scottish Government announced that the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) would be replaced with a new qualifications body. It also announced its intention to establish a new independent inspectorate (HMIe) whilst also needing to understand how best to align education inspection with the wider inspection system. These two announcements followed on from recommendations made by the Organisation for Economic Development (OECD) June 2021 report on Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence, and Professor Muir’s March 2022 report on Scotland’s national education bodies.

The purpose of this consultation was to seek views on the proposals to replace the SQA, as well as approaches to maximise the role inspection plays in providing assurance and supporting teachers and other practitioners to improve education in Scotland, including through legislation. The CLD Standards Council submitted a full response to this consultation based on information and feedback from our members, stakeholders and CLD Standards Council staff team.