New Strategic Advisory Council to help shape future of Scotland's qualifications

• Learners, educators, parents, carers and industry given a direct route to influence policy

• Advice and responses will be published so the public can see it in action

Qualifications Scotland’s newly appointed Strategic Advisory Council meets for the first time today, Thursday 3 September.

Appointed by ministers, the Council represents the views of learners, parents and carers, educators across schools, colleges and training providers, business and industry. The Council will provide an independent voice to advise both Qualifications Scotland and the Scottish Government.

Operating under a newly established Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the Council will work collaboratively with Qualifications Scotland to provide evidence-based, impartial advice to drive accountability and transparency. To uphold its commitment to public engagement, the Council will host at least one public meeting per financial year.

John Morton, Qualifications Scotland board member, and co-convenor of the Strategic Advisory Council, said:

“The establishment of the Strategic Advisory Council marks a major step forward for our education system. We will ensure that the diverse perspectives of learners, parents, carers, teachers, lecturers and employers are at the heart of our qualifications system.

“As an independent statutory body, we are fully committed to absolute transparency. By working constructively with Qualifications Scotland and Ministers, we will advocate for an equitable system that truly serves the public interest and adapts to the future needs of our learners.”

Education Secretary Màiri McAllan said:

“Qualifications Scotland’s work is critical to an education system that is trusted by learners and teachers, valued by employers and responsive to the needs of Scotland’s economy.

“The Strategic Advisory Council, established as a commitment under the Education (Scotland) Act 2025, can ensure those with direct experience of learning, teaching and employing people play a meaningful role in shaping the future of qualifications in Scotland.”

The group will operate alongside Qualifications Scotland’s Board, led by Chair Ms Shirley Rogers CBE, and the Corporate Leadership Team, headed by CEO Nick Page.

The Council was established through open, transparent and competitive recruitment. It comprises:

• Kristin Armour – Project Coordinator, Connect

• Kirsty Ayed – Headteacher, King’s Park Secondary School

• Scott Brown – Improvement Officer, AIS, Angus Council

• Lee Coutts – Headteacher, Ullapool High School

• Justine Ehimen – Project Lead, Passion4fusion

• Tim Frew – Chief Executive, Youthlink Scotland

• Jo Gallager – Lecturer, Teacher Education, University of Glasgow

• Diane Greenlees – Director of National Training Programmes, Skills Development Scotland

• Kenny Hall – Integrated Employment Engagement Manager (Skills), Capital City Partnership

• Iain Hawker – Assistant Principal, Fife College

• Sonia Kordiak – Education Institute of Scotland

• Lauren Lockhart – Policy and Development Officer, Arc Scotland

• Declan McGavin – Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) for Falkirk East

• Robin McGregor – Vice Principal (Curriculum and Quality), North East College

• Steph McKendry – Deputy Director (Student Experience), University of Strathclyde

• Stuart McKenna – Chief Executive, Scottish Training Federation

• Susan McLellan – Lecturer and Board Member, Dumfries and Galloway College

• John Morton – Communications Consultant, Co-convener and Qualifications Scotland Board member

• Stewart Nicholson – Head of Education (Senior Phase), South Lanarkshire Council

• Ann O’Hagan – Headteacher, Pilrig Park School

• Adenike Onyia – Primary School Teacher

• Cheryl Rougvie – Director, Ambition Centre for Training

• Helen Scott – Deputy Principal (Education), University of Stirling

• Stuart Sweeney – Quality Improvement Officer, Perth and Kinross Council