Announcement regarding Scotland’s HM Chief Inspector of Education

Published 16/02/2023.  Last updated 12/04/2023

Scotland’s HM Chief Inspector of Education is moving on from her current role to take up an educational advisory post overseas.

Gayle Gorman has led Education Scotland since December 2017, driving quality improvement for learners across Scotland and overseeing the school inspection programme. During this time, Gayle was also at the forefront of work to develop a school empowerment agreement, with the aim of supporting and encouraging the empowerment of schools. She has been strong advocate for children’s rights and also led the organisation through the global pandemic.

Gayle 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.

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.”

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."

Gillian Hamilton, currently Depute Chief Executive of Education Scotland, will take on the leadership of the organisation following Gayle’s departure, on an interim basis until the new national education body is set up.

We are also putting plans in place to provide additional leadership capacity to support the organisation’s contribution to the education reform programme and the establishment of the new education agency and the new independent Inspectorate.

“An open competition will be held for the new Chief Executive of the national agency.”

Starting her career as a primary teacher, Gayle soon became involved in curriculum development, before moving on to working as a director of education and children’s services within a number of local authorities as well as leading the Northern Alliance Regional Improvement Collaborative, before being appointed as HM Chief Inspector of Education and Chief Executive of Education Scotland. Gayle will leave her current post at the end of March 2023. 

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Announcement regarding Scotland’s HM Chief Inspector of Education

Published 16/02/2023.  Last updated 12/04/2023

Scotland’s HM Chief Inspector of Education is moving on from her current role to take up an educational advisory post overseas.

Gayle Gorman has led Education Scotland since December 2017, driving quality improvement for learners across Scotland and overseeing the school inspection programme. During this time, Gayle was also at the forefront of work to develop a school empowerment agreement, with the aim of supporting and encouraging the empowerment of schools. She has been strong advocate for children’s rights and also led the organisation through the global pandemic.

Gayle 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.

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.”

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."

Gillian Hamilton, currently Depute Chief Executive of Education Scotland, will take on the leadership of the organisation following Gayle’s departure, on an interim basis until the new national education body is set up.

We are also putting plans in place to provide additional leadership capacity to support the organisation’s contribution to the education reform programme and the establishment of the new education agency and the new independent Inspectorate.

“An open competition will be held for the new Chief Executive of the national agency.”

Starting her career as a primary teacher, Gayle soon became involved in curriculum development, before moving on to working as a director of education and children’s services within a number of local authorities as well as leading the Northern Alliance Regional Improvement Collaborative, before being appointed as HM Chief Inspector of Education and Chief Executive of Education Scotland. Gayle will leave her current post at the end of March 2023. 

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