HM Chief Inspector of Education for Scotland

Fixed Term Appointment or Secondment for 23 months with the possibility of an extension.

Are you a transformational change leader looking for your next challenge

We are looking for a Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland on a secondment or fixed term appointment basis to provide significant national leadership working with leaders across education and Government.

The Scottish Government is committed to implementing significant reform to secure better outcomes for children and young people across Scotland. With statutory powers about to be conferred upon HMCIE this is an exciting opportunity for a transformational change leader to establish a new independent education inspectorate His Majestys Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) and to deliver cultural and system level change.

Advising on complex issues in areas of strong public media and political interest and scrutiny you will provide information and evidence to influence educational policy improve educational practices across Scotland and communicate inspection findings to diverse audiences including media internationally and parliamentary committees.

We are seeking a highly respected and influential education leader to deliver a system-wide impact in a short time frame. The successful candidate will take ownership of complex decisions and deliver measurable results.

Responsibilities

You will have statutory responsibility for setting inspection plans and overseeing the inspection of learning teaching and assessment to drive improvement resulting in better outcomes for current and future generations.

Key deliverables in year one

• In support of the Governments overall vision for Scottish education develop and deliver a two-year strategy for HMIE integrating new legislative requirements to maximise the inspectorates role to promote improvement in education and work in partnership with others.
• Building on work already underway improve and innovate the approach to inspection and ensure that inspections are conducted to the highest standards maximising their contribution to educational improvement within finite resources.
• Drive changes in working practices and behaviours which will underpin improved impact from inspection activity and increased efficiency. For example evidence that the organisation is orientated to system improvement and sharing practice which is achieving excellence and equity for learners. Form a close relationship to the education system that it seeks to improve with more frequent feedback and sharing evidence of what is working well.
• Drawing on an existing reputation as a respected education leader communicate inspection findings by engaging with senior system leaders including in schools local authorities professional associations Education Scotland and Scottish Government. Through excellent communication skills cultivate improvement through relationships challenging policy and practice where necessary to raise standards in performance for learners based on robust evidence and sound judgement.
• Development and implementation of a sustainable financial and operating model for the new organisation.

Success Profile

Experience Criteria

• A highly respected and influential education leader with suitable teaching experience and relevant experience of acting in a senior leadership role in an educational establishment is essential.

• Proven success in both strategic and operational leadership communicating a clear vision and driving improvements in excellence and equity in education.

• A track record of delivering high-profile cultural and transformational change with the ability to drive rapid system-level impact taking ownership of complex decisions and ensuring delivery.

Behaviours

The following behaviours at Level 6 are required for success.

• Leadership
• Developing Self and Others
• Seeing the Bigger Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Changing and Improving

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here:Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours ()

How to apply

Candidates must apply online providing a CV and supporting statement (of no more than 500 words) that directly addresses the Experience Criteria listed in the Success Profile above. General or unrelated statements will not be accepted and may result in your application being sifted out. Please ensure your statement clearly demonstrates how you meet the specified experience requirements.

During the interview and assessment process we will test your skills and experience as well as behaviours aligned to this role.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application but all statements and examples provided must be truthful factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others or generated by artificial intelligence and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see ourcandidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

If invited for further assessment this will consist of an interview a stakeholder panel and a staff panel.

Assessments are scheduled for w/c 17 and 24 November and 1 December however this may be subject to change.

The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including education health the economy justice housing and transport.

The implementation of the Education (Scotland) Act 2025 will see the establishment of the office of His Majestys Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland (HMCIE). Statutory functions will be conferred on HMCIE who will lead a new independent education inspectorate His Majestys Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) to take forward and improve the education inspection functions that currently sit within Education Scotland.

The Act sets out a range of new and enhanced requirements that seek to increase the influence and impact of inspection. These include more user engagement in the development of inspection and more impactful reporting including an annual report on the performance of Scottish education which is expected to be highly influential.

The model of inspection in schools and other settings will continue to evolve alongside a desire to increase the volume and frequency of school inspections.

HM Inspectors cover educational establishments across the whole of Scotland and we offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a range of professions and roles.

If the post is offered on a fixed term appointment basis the salary will be in the range of 111916 - 162500 depending on your skills and experience. Alongside your salary Scottish Government offers an employer contribution of 28.97% towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.

If the post is offered on a secondment basis the salary will be based on existing terms and conditions between the Scottish Government and your current employer.

Find out more about our organisation what we offer staff members and how to apply on ourCareers Website.

Read ourCandidate Guidefor further information on our recruitment and application processes.

If you would like further information or would like to discuss the role please contact either Neil Rennick Director General for Education and Justice by e-mailing or Clare Hicks Director for Education Reform by e-mailing to make arrangements.