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School exam boss to step down after two years in post

BBC The photo shows a man wearing a crisp white open-necked shirt. The background is a plain, light grey backdrop. BBC
Nick Page will stand down as chief executive of Qualifications Scotland next year

The chief executive of Scotland's new school exam body has announced he will stand down next year.

Nick Page oversaw the transition of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) to Qualifications Scotland (QS) in December 2025.

Page, who will depart his role after results day in August 2027, said he was leaving the organisation in a "strong place".

QS said the recruitment process for his replacement would start in the new year.

Page joined the organisation in 2025.

He said he had been able to deliver on his priorities of "accelerating the pace of change and to build stronger partnerships across the education and skills system".

He added: "Qualifications Scotland is now firmly established and enabling hundreds of thousands of learners to achieve their full potential.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the role and in Scotland, and when I depart next August, I believe I will be leaving the organisation in a strong place to move forward and build further success."

Why did Qualifications Scotland replace the SQA?

Plans to abolish the SQA, which was formed in 1997, were announced in 2021 following a Scottish government-commissioned report by the OECD.

That came off the back of several controversies over exams, marking and assessment.

The head of Scotland's largest teaching union, the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), said the SQA had "lost the trust of teachers".

PA Media View from behind of pupils doing exams in a school hall. They are sitting at separate desks which have been spaced out for exam conditions. There are papers on their desks. Some of them have got black jumpers on while others are just in white shirts.PA Media
School exams in Scotland are to be revised from next year

QS is due to revise curriculum guidance in 2027, with further reform to National 4 and National 5 qualifications set to take place in 2031.

Additional changes to Higher and Advanced Higher assessments are to be brought in by 2032 under current plans.

QS chairwoman, Shirley Rogers CBE, said Page had made a "significant contribution" in his tenure as chief executive.

She added: "Nick has made a real and positive difference at a crucial time for us, not least the replacement of SQA with Qualifications Scotland.

"He will leave our new organisation in a strong place."