FOI/202500476218 · FOI · partially withheld
Education Scotland Chief Executive and HM Chief Inspector of Education recruitment information: FOI release
Information requested
You asked for information relating to the recruitment exercises carried out by Scottish Government for the Chief Executive, Education Scotland and HM Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland.
When the post of chief inspector was advertised in 2024, how many applications were received?
When the post of chief inspector was advertised in 2025, how many applications were received?
When the post of chief executive of Education Scotland was advertised in 2024, how many applications were received?
When the post of chief executive of Education Scotland was advertised in 2025, how many applications were received?
After the 2024 recruitment drive for the post of chief inspector of education, how many candidates were interviewed?
After the 2025 recruitment drive for the post of chief inspector of education, how many candidates were interviewed?
After the 2024 recruitment drive for the post of Education Scotland chief executive, how many candidates were interviewed?
After the 2025 recruitment drive for the post of Education Scotland chief executive, how many candidates were interviewed?
Response
I enclose a copy of some of the information you requested.
When the post of chief inspector was advertised in 2024, how many applications were received?
The post was advertised on 17 September 2024 and 6 applications received.
When the post of chief inspector was advertised in 2025, how many applications were received?
The post was advertised on 16 January 2025 and 10 applications received.
When the post of chief executive of Education Scotland was advertised in 2024, how many applications were received?
The post was advertised on 17 September 2024 and 13 applications received.
When the post of chief executive of Education Scotland was advertised in 2025, how many applications were received?
The post was advertised on 16 January 2025 and 29 applications received.
After the 2024 recruitment drive for the post of chief inspector of education, how many candidates were interviewed?
No candidates were invited to interview.
After the 2025 recruitment drive for the post of chief inspector of education, how many candidates were interviewed?
Three candidates were invited to interview.
After the 2024 recruitment drive for the post of Education Scotland chief executive, how many candidates were interviewed?
No candidates were invited to interview.
After the 2025 recruitment drive for the post of Education Scotland chief executive, how many candidates were interviewed?
Four candidates were interviewed.
For both recruitment drives, and for both posts, please set out the interview process – this should include each stage of the process and what was involved; the dates of each stage of the process; and a rough idea of how long each stage lasted.
Assessment element Method Duration Date Attended Chief Executive Date Attended Chief Inspector Leadership Style Assessment - online psychometric assessment Hogan Development Survey 16PF5 Ravens Adaptive Feedback Validation interview with occupational psychologist Teams 20 mins 45 mins 12 mins 60 mins Information not held Information not held Staff Engagement Exercise Teams 1 hour 19 March 18 March Stakeholder Engagement Exercise Teams 1 hour 17 March 17 March Meeting with Cabinet Secretary for Education & Skills and Civil Service Commissioner Teams 20 mins 28 March 28 March Panel Interview In Person 1 hour 3 April 4 April
How much has the recruitment process for the post of chief inspector of education cost to date – in the response please deal with each recruitment drive separately. As well as the total cost of each recruitment drive please include a full breakdown of the key costs incurred. (For instance, if a recruitment company was employed please include the name of the company and the sum paid to them in 2024, as well as the name of the company and the sum paid to them in in 2025.)
Chief Inspector of Education
Advertising Assessment Executive Search TOTAL Year TES Penna Keil Centre Aspen 2024 £2,292.02 £750.00 £3,042.02 2025 (to-date) £2,905.02 £8,673.00 £8,100.00 £19,678.02
How much has the recruitment process for the post of chief executive of Education Scotland cost to date – in the response please deal with each recruitment drive separately. As well as the total cost of each recruitment drive please include a full breakdown of the key costs incurred. (For instance, if a recruitment company was employed please include the name of the company and the sum paid to them in 2024, as well as the name of the company and the sum paid to them in in 2025.)
Chief Executive of ES
Advertising Assessment Executive Search TOTAL Year TES Penna Keil Centre Aspen 2024 £2,292.02 £750.00 £3,042.02 2025 (to-date) £2,905.02 £11,454.00 £6,480.00 £20,839.02
An exemption under section S.38(1) of FOISA applies to some the information you have requested as it includes personal data of a third party. This relates to your request "For both recruitment drives, and for both posts, please name the candidates that were interviewed".
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Contact Please quote the FOI reference Central Correspondence Unit Email: contactus@gov.scot Phone: 0300 244 4000 The Scottish Government St Andrew's House Regent Road Edinburgh EH1 3DG
Detected exemption language
(For instance, if a recruitment company was employed please include the name of the company and the sum paid to them in 2024, as well as the name of the company and the sum paid to them in in 2025.) Chief Executive of ES Advertising Assessment Executive Search TOTAL Year TES Penna Keil Centre Aspen 2024 £2,292.02 £750.00 £3,042.02 2025 (to-date) £2,905.02 £11,454.00 £6,480.00 £20,839.02 An exemption under section S.38(1) of FOISA applies to some the information you have requested as it includes personal data of a third party.
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