Survey finds lack of confidence

Staff at Scotland’s national education body have little confidence in its ability to handle change, a survey has suggested ahead of sweeping reforms to the school system.

Only 7% of Education Scotland employees believe change is managed well by the organisation.

Meanwhile, only 18% have confidence in decisions made by senior managers and 21% think the agency’s board has a “clear vision for the future”.

The findings come as the Scottish Government consults on a raft of reforms to education governance.

Education Scotland will play a key part, including an enhanced role in supporting school leadership and teacher professional development, and providing core staff within new regional improvement collaboratives being set up to help share good practice across council boundaries.

However, the survey results will raise questions over the agency’s ability to deliver the changes.

It has previously faced criticism from teachers, unions and opposition parties over its handling of Curriculum for Excellence and its role in both shaping and inspecting the curriculum.

A report on the findings by the Scottish Parliament’s information centre, submitted to Holyrood’s Education Committee last month, also found a decline in staff confidence at Education Scotland over the last few years.