Gayle Gorman - Scotland’s chief inspector of education and the chief executive of Education Scotland - has announced that she is stepping down from the role at the end of next month.

She will be replaced on an interim basis by Gillian Hamilton (pictured below), currently depute chief executive of Education Scotland.

Ms Gorman, who has led Education Scotland since December 2017, said: “With the reform of Scotland’s education system, this is the right time for me to move on from this post and allow for the establishment of the new education agency and inspection body.”

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The Scottish government has committed to replacing the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and Education Scotland with three new national education bodies, following concerns about the performance of the organisations during the pandemic.

A 2021 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development review of Curriculum for Excellence also recommended reform and, in the case of Education Scotland, the splitting of its dual functions. Education Scotland is currently responsible for both inspection and curriculum development, but under the plans, the inspectorate will again be separate and a new education agency will be created.

Education Scotland part of major reforms

Ms Gorman said: “Over the last few years, I have travelled across Scotland visiting learning environments and have been overwhelmed by the creativity, passion and dedication of those working in education.

“It has been an honour to lead Education Scotland over the past few years and to play a part in supporting Scotland’s educators as they strive to deliver the best for learners.

“I have always been passionate about the role education can play in transforming lives and have enjoyed the opportunity to work in partnership with education colleagues at a national level as well as locally and regionally.”

Education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We are grateful to Gayle Gorman for her leadership of Education Scotland and her contribution to the education system in Scotland, and wish her well in her new role.”

She said there would be “an open competition” for the new chief executive of the national agency, which is expected to become operational in 2024.

Ms Gorman, who started her career as a primary teacher and also worked as a director of education and children’s services, moving to Education Scotland from Aberdeen City Council, will leave her post at the end of March, at which point Ms Hamilton will take on the role on an interim basis. 

Ms Gorman will take up an educational advisory post overseas, although Education Scotland could not provide further details of her new role at this point.