New SQA Chief Executive's 100-day pledge to drive change

Monday 7 July 2025

New SQA Chief Executive Nick Page today (7 July) launched his leadership by announcing key actions for the next 100 days to fast-track change for learners and educators across Scotland

Mr Page - a former teacher with 30 years of classroom-to-boardroom experience - said the commitment marks the start of a new era of collaboration, transparency, and opportunity.

It also marks an important milestone on the road to Qualifications Scotland, which Mr Page will also lead. The new national awarding body replaces SQA and assumes its responsibilities in December.

Mr Page said: “The Education (Scotland) Bill has given us real momentum and a clear sense of direction. Learners and educators want to know how change will happen and how it will make a positive difference for them.

“That’s why we are setting out these key actions for the next 100 days - so people can see and feel the progress we are making, both in the way we work and in the outcomes we deliver.”

Key actions for the next 100 days include:

• Launch the new Schools Unit - led by Senior Adviser and headteacher Sarah Brown - to bring the organisation closer to the classroom and improve support for teachers and pupils.
• Build new partnerships with industry, employers, the third sector, and other stakeholders to ensure skills-based qualifications are future-focused and unlock opportunities for learners.
• Accelerate the ongoing transformation of SQA to ensure Qualifications Scotland is ready to deliver with and for learners and educators from day one.
• Expand our ‘Your Voice’ campaign to new and under-represented audiences - including industry, third sector, and political stakeholders – to ensure Qualifications Scotland delivers for everyone.
• Support the development of new statutory committees and co-creating charters to deliver on the Education (Scotland) Bill, embedding the voices of learners, and teachers and practitioners.
• Share progress from our digital transformation: a multi-year project that will streamline processes, transform our services, and ensure Qualifications Scotland is fit for the future.

Listening, engaging, and delivering change

Mr Page acknowledged that discussions during the Education (Scotland) Bill process revealed confusion about the full scope of SQA’s work - from accreditation and awarding to quality assurance and regulation.

He added: “We’ve heard the concerns, and we’re acting on them. Over the next 100 days, we’ll work hard to raise awareness and understanding of what we deliver and the value that brings.

“That includes making it clear how our independent functions operate, how we deliver and measure performance, and explaining the strengthened independence and governance of Accreditation.

“We will also reach out to new stakeholders and partners, including those who responded to the Education (Scotland) Bill consultation.

“They chose to respond because they care deeply about the future of qualifications. Enabling them to share their knowledge and perspectives will only strengthen our decision-making.

Ensuring ‘Your Voice’ shapes Qualifications Scotland

“Industry and employers also made up only a very small percentage of responses to the consultation. We need to understand why. Our skills-based and vocational qualifications, which unlock opportunities for learners every day, should be a priority for everyone who wants to see Scotland succeed.

“We will shortly expand our ‘Your Voice’ programme to political stakeholders. This will ensure that those elected to represent every community in Scotland can offer insight and challenge and hold us to account on behalf of their constituents.

“Together, we can ensure that Qualifications Scotland is a model of inclusion, transparency, and accountability.

“The success of these key actions - and all the positive change we strive for - depends entirely on the skills, dedication, and professionalism of our people, working in partnership across the education and skills community.

“On my first day as Chief Executive, I want to thank every member of every team for their ongoing commitment. It is their expertise and experience that will give learners, educators, and the public confidence in the work we do now and in the future of qualifications in Scotland.”