Qualifications Scotland’s new Interest Committees place learner and teacher voices at the heart of qualifications transformation

Qualifications Scotland has marked a significant milestone in its work to transform Scottish qualifications, with the first meeting of its new Teacher and Practitioner Interest Committee taking place this week, and the first meeting of its Learner Interest Committee scheduled for Saturday 13 June.

The two committees — established under the Education (Scotland) Act 2025 — bring together thirty learners, teachers and practitioners who will provide direct advice and insight to Qualifications Scotland as it delivers on its mission to improve qualifications for everyone in Scotland.

The teacher and practitioner committee includes representatives from schools, colleges and training providers and the learner committee has representation from a range of school-age and adult learners.

Qualifications Scotland has committed to publishing the advice it receives from both committees — as well as from its Strategic Advisory Council — on its website, alongside the organisation's response to that advice, ensuring full openness and transparency.

The first meetings in June will give members the opportunity to meet one another and receive an introduction to the organisation's work, with a particular focus on qualifications reform. Both committees will begin work to help shape the forthcoming Learner and Teacher and Practitioner Charters following the summer break.

Shirley Rogers, Chair of Qualifications Scotland, said:

"The establishment of these two Interest Committees is an important first step in delivering on our legislative commitments and a genuine expression of the kind of organisation we want to be. We received a remarkable response to our recruitment process, and I am delighted that the committee members are now in post and will be able to help my colleagues and I shape how Qualifications Scotland works.

“These committees will not replace the wider engagement, research and collaboration that is central to what we do — but they will add something distinctive and valuable to it. I am confident they will play an important role as we work to become an exemplar across the Scottish public sector in bringing the voices of those we serve into the heart of our decision-making."

Ewan Carmichael, convenor of the Learner Interest Committee and Policy and External Relations Manager at Quarriers, said:

“The Learner Interest Committee is the first of its kind in Scotland: established by statute and led by learners. With members drawn from schools, colleges, and vocational routes, the Committee will help to ensure the design and delivery of qualifications are fundamentally shaped by lived experience. In its first year, our focus will include qualifications reform and the co-design of our Learner Charter, to define the standards learners can expect and how Qualifications Scotland will be accountable.”

Gerry O'Neil, convenor of the Teacher and Practitioner Interest Committee and Head Teacher at St Ninian's High School in East Renfrewshire, said:

"There is enormous value in ensuring that national conversations about qualifications are informed by those working directly with learners every day. The strength of this Committee lies in the breadth of experience around the table, bringing perspectives from across sectors, communities, subject areas and learner needs across Scotland.

“Our role is to provide professional insight, constructive challenge and grounded advice to help shape a qualifications system that is credible, responsive and connected to the realities of practice. In the year ahead, this will include a focus on qualifications reform and the development of the Teacher & Practitioner Charter, alongside other priorities, ensuring that change is informed by those delivering learning and assessment.

“This is an important opportunity to strengthen the voice of teachers and practitioners in national decision making and build confidence in the future direction of qualifications and assessment in Scotland."