Strength in Unity: A Powerful Gathering of Scottish Independent School Heads and Deputies
It was inspiring to see so many educators come together at the Scottish Council of Independent Schools Heads and Deputes event in Edinburgh at a time when the pressures facing our sector have never been greater. This event was more than a start of the academic year meeting; it was a celebration of collaboration, resilience, and shared purpose between the independent and state sectors.
This is a time of significant change in all parts of the education system and we were delighted to hear from the SQA Chief Examining Office Donna Stewart, The Registrar for Independent Schools, Dr Pauline Stephen the CEO of GTC Scotland, and a team from the Care Inspectorate about the pace of change in their organisations,
Our Sector is Invaluable
Despite the challenges of the Education tax which was imposed on the independent sector earlier this year, the value of our schools cannot be overstated. Collectively, we’re delivering over £500 million in economic impact—to put this in context, that’s a figure that matches the Scottish Government’s target for the entire textile industry by 2030.
More than 120,000 members of the public benefit from the partnerships our schools foster. By working closely with colleagues in the state sector and investing in SCIS, we’re ensuring that our expertise enriches the wider education system in Scotland.
As we approach the next Scottish Parliament elections, economic growth will dominate political debate. If our member schools want to influence that discussion, make sure every local politician has a copy of your school’s economic impact report. It’s a powerful tool, which evidences the economic benefits we provide to the Scottish economy.
VAT on Fees: A Policy That Hurts Everyone
Never have we wanted to be more wrong about anything, but unfortunately, we were right to warn about the negative impact the VAT on fees policy would have. Class sizes in the state sector are growing, ASN (Additional Support Needs) levels are rising, and teacher workloads are becoming unsustainable. In some local authorities, siblings are unable to attend the same state primary school due to capacity issues.
This policy doesn’t just affect independent schools—it undermines the entire Scottish education system. While Greece reversed its VAT-on-fees policy after disastrous consequences, we cannot assume the same will happen here. That’s why it’s vital we continue collecting data and documenting the human impact.
Reasons to Be Proud
Even in the face of adversity, our schools continue to deliver excellence including life changing National 1 and 2 awards in specialist schools, Highers, Advanced Highers, A levels, BTECs, and the IB.
Our sector is respected, and our contributions are valued. At a recent Curriculum and Assessment Board meeting, two out of three examples of innovation came from our schools. The Cabinet Secretary, the Education Scotland CEO, and the new SQA Chief Executive have visited several specialist and mainstream SCIS schools over the last year to discuss curriculum innovation and collaboration.
The deep experience in our specialist schools is also helping to contribute to national policy. Their expertise in restraint and seclusion formed the basis of the SCIS response to a proposed Members’ bill in the Scottish Parliament to put guidance on a statutory footing, and Harmeny School’s CEO will be giving evidence to the Education Committee.
The Scottish Government actively seeks our input on a range of policy areas. SCIS is proud to represent our schools at the highest levels of Scottish education. But to amplify your voice, we need to hear from our members. Share your developments, successes, and concerns—so we can advocate with maximum effectiveness on your behalf.
Scotland’s education community is diverse, and through open dialogue and collaboration, we can create meaningful progress for all learners. Our Heads and Deputies left the event with:
Optimism - knowing that Scottish education is evolving and that decision-makers value their input.
Support - recognising that SCIS is here to champion their work and fight their corner.
Insight - having had valuable time to reconnect with colleagues, share experiences, and strengthen our community.
Unity - together with our colleagues across the education system we are shaping the future of Scottish education.