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New Board members sought for Qualifications Scotland
Recruitment of Board members for Qualifications Scotland.
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New Board members sought for Qualifications Scotland
23
July
2025
None
Wednesday 23 July 2025
Recruitment campaign underway for the inaugural Qualifications Scotland Board
Teacher, lecturer, and learner voices sought, as well as others representing a diverse range of backgrounds and interests
Closing date for applications is 14 August 2025
Appointment of members to the board of Qualifications Scotland
Qualifications Scotland will replace the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) in December following the passing of the Education (Scotland) Bill earlier this summer.
The new Board, which is currently being recruited for, will include five teachers and lecturers as well as someone with a knowledge of the interests of learners. This reflects the determination to ensure Qualifications Scotland gives a stronger voice to learners and teaching professionals.
Shirley Rogers CBE, who chairs the SQA Board and will become Chair of Qualifications Scotland, said:
'This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a public body that truly reflects Scotland and contributes not only to the success of an organisation, but to our success as a nation.
'To achieve this, we need a Board as diverse as the communities we serve - from classroom teachers and vocational experts to industry specialists and transformation leaders, to learners and staff.
'If you want to shape Scotland’s future through education and skills and ensure every community is heard, we want you on our Board.'
The Education (Scotland) Bill sets out detailed specifications for the membership of Qualifications Scotland’s Board. This includes:
the Chair, Chief Executive and Convenor of the Accreditation Committee
five educators - two practising teachers, two practicing college lecturers and a fifth who can either be a teacher or a lecturer
a member with knowledge of the interests of learners and one with knowledge of the interests of staff
five ‘ordinary’ members who will have a mix of knowledge of skills needs and training in business as well as experience of workplace and employee relations.
The Bill also specifies that Qualifications Scotland will have a Strategic Advisory Council to consider matters relating to Qualifications Scotland’s qualifications and its functions. This will be co-chaired by a member of the Board and have a representative membership. There will also be Learner and Practitioner Interest Committees. These committees will further ensure the voices of learners, teachers, lecturers, parents, carers, employers and many others are heard and listened to.
Find out more at Appointment of members to the board of Qualifications Scotland.
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23-JUL-2025
Wed, 23 Jul 2025 14:58:04 +0100
NEW
New SQA Chief Executive's 100-day pledge to drive change
New SQA Chief Executive Nick Page today (7 July) launched his leadership by announcing key actions for the next 100 days to fast-track change for learners and educators across Scotland.
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New SQA Chief Executive's 100-day pledge to drive change
7
July
2025
None
Monday 7 July 2025
New SQA Chief Executive Nick Page today (7 July) launched his leadership by announcing key actions for the next 100 days to fast-track change for learners and educators across Scotland
Mr Page - a former teacher with 30 years of classroom-to-boardroom experience - said the commitment marks the start of a new era of collaboration, transparency, and opportunity.
It also marks an important milestone on the road to Qualifications Scotland, which Mr Page will also lead. The new national awarding body replaces SQA and assumes its responsibilities in December.
Mr Page said: “The Education (Scotland) Bill has given us real momentum and a clear sense of direction. Learners and educators want to know how change will happen and how it will make a positive difference for them.
“That’s why we are setting out these key actions for the next 100 days - so people can see and feel the progress we are making, both in the way we work and in the outcomes we deliver.”
Key actions for the next 100 days include:
Launch the new Schools Unit - led by Senior Adviser and headteacher Sarah Brown - to bring the organisation closer to the classroom and improve support for teachers and pupils.
Build new partnerships with industry, employers, the third sector, and other stakeholders to ensure skills-based qualifications are future-focused and unlock opportunities for learners.
Accelerate the ongoing transformation of SQA to ensure Qualifications Scotland is ready to deliver with and for learners and educators from day one.
Expand our ‘Your Voice’ campaign to new and under-represented audiences - including industry, third sector, and political stakeholders – to ensure Qualifications Scotland delivers for everyone.
Support the development of new statutory committees and co-creating charters to deliver on the Education (Scotland) Bill, embedding the voices of learners, and teachers and practitioners.
Share progress from our digital transformation: a multi-year project that will streamline processes, transform our services, and ensure Qualifications Scotland is fit for the future.
Listening, engaging, and delivering change
Mr Page acknowledged that discussions during the Education (Scotland) Bill process revealed confusion about the full scope of SQA’s work - from accreditation and awarding to quality assurance and regulation.
He added: “We’ve heard the concerns, and we’re acting on them. Over the next 100 days, we’ll work hard to raise awareness and understanding of what we deliver and the value that brings.
“That includes making it clear how our independent functions operate, how we deliver and measure performance, and explaining the strengthened independence and governance of Accreditation.
“We will also reach out to new stakeholders and partners, including those who responded to the Education (Scotland) Bill consultation.
“They chose to respond because they care deeply about the future of qualifications. Enabling them to share their knowledge and perspectives will only strengthen our decision-making.
Ensuring ‘Your Voice’ shapes Qualifications Scotland
“Industry and employers also made up only a very small percentage of responses to the consultation. We need to understand why. Our skills-based and vocational qualifications, which unlock opportunities for learners every day, should be a priority for everyone who wants to see Scotland succeed.
“We will shortly expand our ‘Your Voice’ programme to political stakeholders. This will ensure that those elected to represent every community in Scotland can offer insight and challenge and hold us to account on behalf of their constituents.
“Together, we can ensure that Qualifications Scotland is a model of inclusion, transparency, and accountability.
“The success of these key actions - and all the positive change we strive for - depends entirely on the skills, dedication, and professionalism of our people, working in partnership across the education and skills community.
“On my first day as Chief Executive, I want to thank every member of every team for their ongoing commitment. It is their expertise and experience that will give learners, educators, and the public confidence in the work we do now and in the future of qualifications in Scotland.”
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447
07-JUL-2025
Mon, 7 Jul 2025 12:03:25 +0100
UPDATED
