School of Education

Professor Christopher Chapman and Honorary Professor Graham Donaldson are the authors of Rising to the challenge: Where now for Scottish education?, part of the Centre for Public Policy’s Election 2026 Policy Insights series. The paper explores the scale of the challenges currently facing Scottish education and proposes seven practical steps the next Scottish Government could take to develop a more dynamic, classroom‑connected approach to policymaking.

Drawing on evidence from major national and international reviews, as well as the impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic and accelerating technological change, the authors argue that future progress depends on reaffirming shared purpose, strengthening subsidiarity, investing in leadership and professional learning, and making more effective use of Scotland’s university sector. The paper also addresses the implications of generative artificial intelligence for schooling and calls for a more constructive, improvement‑focused approach to accountability.

The Policy Insights series aims to inform public debate by offering independent, research‑informed perspectives on key policy issues ahead of the election.