Scotland's HM Inspectors (HMI) of Education have published this report highlighting features of effective practice in outdoor learning. As part of Scottish Government's Education Recovery: Key Actions and Next Steps, HM Inspectors of Education committed to undertaking national thematic reviews. This national report provides the independent view of…

HM Inspectors evaluate and report on the quality of community learning and development (CLD) in line with "The Requirements for Community Learning and Development (Scotland) Regulations 2013: Guidance for Local Authorities." The guidance refers to the legislative and policy areas for local authorities that impact on the planning and…

Through our national thematic reports HM Inspectors of Education share their professional view on particular aspects of education. This report focuses on sharing the key features which, when taken together, make the greatest difference to using assessment effectively to improve learning and teaching and in turn, outcomes for children and young…

In 2017, Education Scotland introduced a new model of inspection of local authorities. These inspections focused on how well the nine challenge authorities within the Scottish Attainment Challenge are improving learning, raising attainment and closing the poverty-related attainment gap. HM Inspectors carried out the nine inspection visits between…

The Education Reform -- Joint Agreement published in June 2018 sets out agreed principles and enablers and measures that will support and encourage the empowerment of schools in Scotland. These include the commitment that Education Scotland would carry out three inspections in the 2018-19 academic year looking at the following themes: Readiness…

In June 2012 the Scottish Government issued the "Community Learning and Development (CLD) Strategic Guidance." While directed at Community Planning Partnerships (CPPs) and recognising the vital role played by a wide range of organisations and services, the guidance clearly identifies a lead role for local authorities 'to provide clear…

Scotland's colleges have a wide-ranging mission. They strive to meet the needs of a diverse range of stakeholders, including individual learners, local communities, regional and national bodies and the national and international economies. At an individual level, the curriculum offered in Scotland's colleges aims to enable people to develop skills…

The findings of Education Scotland's sectoral programme of inspections, which sample the providers of education at every stage from the early years to adult learning, provide a key source of evidence on how effectively one of its core public services is performing. The last published summary of inspection findings was produced in 2009 when Her…

This report examines the contribution of self-evaluation to internal review processes in Scotland's colleges. It identifies the range of methodologies used by colleges, what makes these effective and what needs to improve further. It explores in particular, the extent to which self-evaluation has a positive impact on learners' experiences. The…