The interim chief executive of Education Scotland will leave next month to take up a new post in a Scottish council just as the reformed body - with its inspection function removed - is expected to come into being.
Gillian Hamilton has been appointed chief education officer for West Dunbartonshire Council. Vlog Scotland understands that Graeme Logan, who has been the Scottish government’s director of learning since June 2019, will replace her as interim chief executive of Education Scotland in September.
The news of Ms Hamilton’s departure follows two failed attempts by the Scottish government to appoint a permanent chief executive of Education Scotland and a chief inspector of education - at a cost of around £46,500.
The other agency subject to the government’s ongoing reform programme - exam body the Scottish Qualifications Authority - appointed Nick Page as its new chief executive in June.
Vlog Scotland understands that, according to the government’s latest plans, Saturday 1 November should mark the end of Education Scotland in its current form.
It will continue as Scotland’s curriculum agency, but will no longer have responsibility for inspection. Instead, according to the government’s plans, a new standalone inspectorate will be created with enhanced independence.
However, two bids to appoint permanent leaders for the new organisations have failed.
In a letter to local authority education directors, dated 18 August, Ms Hamilton, who has led Education Scotland since March 2023 and worked for the body for seven years, said it had been “a genuine privilege, both to serve the organisation through a period of transformation, and to work alongside so many passionate and committed individuals across the education sector”.
She said that Mr Logan was “looking forward” to taking up his new role and working “to support improvement in outcomes for children, young people and adult learners across Scotland”.
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