National Improvement Framework

The National Improvement Framework for Scottish education is an ambitious strategy to help all children to achieve their full potential as successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors. 

The Framework sets out how evidence is gathered to inform action, making sure that we are all focused on improving standards for our young people.

The National Improvement Framework priorities are:

• to improve attainment for all, particularly in literacy and numeracy

• to improve the learning progress of every child, by reducing inequality in education

• to improve children and young people's health and wellbeing

• to improve employability skills and sustained positive school leaver destinations for all young people.

Six drivers of improvement have been identified in the NIF. The drivers are all equally important. The links and connections across these key areas are essential to enabling continuous improvement and minimising unintended consequences.

• Parental Engagement

• Assessment of Children's Progress

• Performance Information

• School Improvement

• School Leadership

• Teacher Professionalism

You can read more about the National Improvement Framework (NIF) here: NIF

The full version of the NIF for 2025, published December 2024 can be found here: NIF 2025 (PDF, 97 KB)

2025 NIF Summary Updates:

Refined Priorities:

• The 2025 NIF places greater emphasis on a holistic, collaborative approach to addressing attendance, achievement, behaviour, and the curriculum (referred to as "ABC")​ .

• There is a stronger focus on human rights and needs of every child as central to education.

New Emphasis on Digital Skills:

• Digital technology integration in learning and teaching is emphasized more prominently, with a goal to tackle digital inequality and support a digitally-skilled workforce​.

Guiding Values and Inclusivity:

• The document highlights the need for a supportive, ambitious, and inclusive system where diversity is recognized and equitable opportunities are prioritised​.

• Greater collaboration across local authorities, schools, and families was recommended to build on lessons from the pandemic​.

Education Scotland's Role:

• A refocused Education Scotland will play a more strategic role in curriculum design, delivery, and improvement, alongside professional learning and leadership development​.

Independent Reviews:

• The 2025 NIF incorporates findings from several independent reviews, including the Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment and National Discussion on Education​.

Tackling the Poverty-Related Attainment Gap:

• Continued focus on closing the attainment gap, with reported reductions in the literacy and numeracy gaps at secondary levels as of 2024​.

ABC Areas for Immediate Action:

• Explicit focus areas include attendance, behaviour, curriculum improvement, and partnerships between schools and other services​.

Continuities from 2024:

• The vision of achieving both excellence and equity remains unchanged, emphasizing literacy, numeracy, health, and wellbeing​.

• The framework continues to underline the importance of positive school-leaver destinations and fostering a highly-skilled teaching workforce​ ​.

Notable Additions:

• A new Education Assurance Board will oversee improvements in learning outcomes in collaboration with local authorities and COSLA​.

• The Education (Scotland) Bill 2024 is identified as a foundational step towards systemic reform​.