Henry Hepburn

Scotland’s new chief inspector of education has been announced. Ruth Binks, a former primary headteacher who started her career in Highland Council, will move on from her role as Inverclyde Council’s corporate director of education, communities and organisational development. She is due to start as chief inspector at the end of March, with that date subject to final checks and the appointment being made by an order of the King.

The number of exam appeals by schools and students increased in 2025, according to Scottish Qualifications Authority data. Overall, 9 per cent of grades for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher were appealed in 2025; in 2024 the appeal rate was 8.1 per cent. However, last year’s rate was lower than in 2022, when, overall, 11 per cent of grades were appealed and the appeal rate for Higher was 14 per cent.

Tes can reveal more details of the Scottish government’s plans to reduce teachers’ class-contact time. Four and a half years after the manifesto promise was made and less than six months out from the next Scottish Parliament election, ministers tried to jumpstart the policy in an announcement last week. However, critics said the announcement was thin on details and had emerged without any warning.