New SQA chief named months before exams body scrapped

The new head of the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has been named as Nick Page, just months before the exams body is scrapped.

The Scottish government passed legislation on Wednesday to abolish the SQA within months and replace it with a new body called Qualifications Scotland.

Mr Page was chief executive of Solihull Council when the authority was criticised after six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes was murdered by his step-mother in June 2020.

A review in January 2023 found children faced "significant harm" due to delayed responses from the council's children's services, which it rated as "inadequate".

Emma Tustin poisoned, starved and beat Arthur during the Covid lockdown. She was jailed along with Arthur's father Thomas Hughes, who was found guilty of manslaughter.

Mr Page resigned as chief executive of the council in the wake of the Ofsted report. He said that new leadership would bring about necessary improvements.

A spokesperson for the SQA said: "Nick Page chose to step down from his last role after a critical inspection.

"It was a principled decision to allow fresh leadership to take improvements forward.

"The SQA board carried out full due diligence and was unanimous in its selection. Nick was also the unanimous choice of the SQA staff panel which interviewed all candidates."

Mr Page's appointment comes after Fiona Robertson announced she was quitting as SQA chief executive in February.

He will begin work at the SQA on 7 July and will then lead Qualifications Scotland when it is established in December.

The former teacher said he was "honoured" to take over the role from John Booth, who held the post on an interim basis.

He added: "SQA is already transforming at pace to build strong foundations for Qualifications Scotland, harnessing the deep knowledge, skills and commitment of our people.

"We will accelerate that work to deliver a future that improves outcomes and supports learning and teaching.

"We will also work across the education and skills community to ensure that assessment and awarding align with wider pathways for success."

The SQA highlighted Mr Page's "track record of successful delivery, service transformation and improved outcomes across a 30-year career spanning teaching, children's services and local authority leadership".

Chairwoman Shirley Rogers, who led the recruitment process for the new chief executive, said she was "absolutely delighted" with Mr Page's appointment.

She added: "His career spans many achievements and a proven ability to lead through both change and challenge.

"I am confident that, drawing on these experiences and a commitment to learning from them, Nick will drive the positive transformation that ensures Qualifications Scotland delivers for every learner, every educator, and every community."