Education Scotland Corporate Plan for 2026 to 2031
This Corporate Plan 2026 - 31, my first as Chief Executive, represents Education Scotland’s longer-term organisational strategy for 2026–2031. It sets out how we will support the Scottish Government’s ambitions for children, young people and adult learners during a period of sustained reform across public services and education in Scotland. It also reflects the clear expectations from the Scottish Government for national bodies to work with purpose, rigour and collaboration to improve outcomes, strive for excellence and reduce inequality. This plan will be translated into delivery through Annual Delivery Planning arrangements.
This plan:
- illustrates our commitment to Public Service Reform, focusing our efforts where they add most value - supporting high-quality learning and teaching, inclusive curriculum design and effective professional learning across all sectors of education
- recognises Ministers’ expectations for transparency, accountability and effective stewardship of public resources in a challenging fiscal environment, and establishes clear outcomes aligned to ministerial priorities, with a strong focus on organisational performance, evaluating impact and demonstrating value. We will continue to strengthen how we use evidence to inform decisions, prioritise activity and support continuous improvement. We are committed to measuring what is important to ensure Education Scotland is delivering a good quality, effective and efficient service, in line with our obligations as a public body and an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government
- reflects Ministers’ expectations that improvement in curriculum, attendance, attainment and behaviour is most effective when it is shaped locally and supported nationally. Our role is therefore to provide clear, consistent leadership on curriculum and pedagogy while enabling educators to respond confidently to the needs of all children and young people, particularly those affected by poverty and disadvantage
Excellence and equity underpin all aspects of this plan as fundamental drivers of improvement and are driven by the National Improvement Framework vision and outcomes. With our focus as a curriculum agency, greater clarity in what learners need to know, do and understand, with progression made explicit and learning made more relevant and engaging - creates the conditions for sustained improvement in attainment over time. This shared clarity through the Curriculum Improvement Cycle helps create consistent national standards, strengthens professional confidence in judgement, leading to improved quality and consistency of data. It will also provide a solid foundation for progression into qualifications and contribute to improved attainment and stronger international performance.
Education Scotland will work in partnership with local authorities, national agencies, and delivery partners to ensure coherence across the system and to reduce unnecessary complexity. In particular, we will work closely with Qualifications Scotland to support curriculum and qualifications reform, recognising this as a key ministerial priority. We will place strong emphasis on professional agency, evidence-informed practice and collaboration, recognising that sustainable improvement depends on the knowledge, commitment and leadership of Scotland’s educators.
Education Scotland is committed to contributing directly to the Scottish Government’s national missions, including the eradication of child poverty, the incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the delivery of more person-centred public services. Through our work on curriculum, professional learning and system improvement, we will support education to play its full role in improving life chances, strengthening communities and promoting wellbeing.
I am confident that this Corporate Plan provides a clear and focused framework for Education Scotland’s work over the next five years. It reflects ministerial intent, responds to the needs of the system and reaffirms our commitment to working with respect, collaboration and purpose in the service of learners and educators across Scotland.
Finally, I would like to thank all staff and stakeholders who participated and provided valuable insight to support development of this plan and inform the future work of Education Scotland.
Donna McMaster
Chief Executive Education Scotland
