Ruth Binks, a former teacher and head teacher who is currently Corporate Director of Education at Inverclyde Council, will begin the role in March
A former head teacher is set to be appointed as Scotland’s first Chief Inspector of Education, subject to pre-appointment checks and approval.
Photo by Aaron Burden / Unsplash
The post of HM Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland (HMCIES) was established last year in the Education (Scotland) Act 2025. The Chief Inspector’s duties are set out in Section 37 of the act, and including recognising effective practice adopted by relevant educational establishments, promoting improvement and providing assurance to the public that quality is assessed and establishments held to account.
Ms Binks is currently Corporate Director of Education, Communities and Organisational Development at Inverclyde Council, where she has been for the past 11 years.
She was previously a professional musician and worked as a primary school teacher in the Highland Council area from 1998 to 2004, before becoming head teacher at Croy Primary School and Central Primary School until 2011. She then took management roles in Highland Council’s education department.
Graeme Logan will remain in post as interim Chief Inspector until Ms Binks takes up the new post.
Ms Binks says: ‘My passion for achieving excellence and reducing inequalities for our young people has been at the heart of everything I have undertaken in my career to date. In my new role as His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education I will continue to pursue this passion, striving to get the very best for every young person regardless of their background.’
Jenny Gilruth MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, adds: ‘Ruth has a depth of knowledge of Scottish education, both in the classroom and in a strategic leadership capacity. I’m confident that she brings the right experience to this key role.
‘The new inspectorate body will have greater independence and the power to set the frequency and focus of inspections. The office is at the heart of the education reform programme this Government is driving forward. This appointment will be pivotal in our efforts to drive improvement across Scotland’s education and skills system and to bring about the changes required to meet the needs of future generations of young people.’
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