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Commission on school reform

In November 2011, Enlighten set up the Commission on School Reform to consider whether the school system in Scotland is meeting the present and future needs of young people. Its aim is to reach a consensus about specific recommendations on areas for improvement or that require further inquiry.

The Commission is chaired by Keir Bloomer, and regularly issues research and challenge papers to prompt a new sense of urgency in Government thinking.

Membership of the Commission on School Reform is currently as follows:

  • Keir Bloomer (Chair): Education consultant and former Director of Education
  • Cllr Sarah Atkin: Independent Councillor at The Highland Council and member of the Education Committee.  Former Parent Council Chairwoman and School Governor.
  • John Edward: Scottish Council on Global Affairs, Former Director SCIS; School Governor and Board Member of AGBIS.
  • Carole Ford: Former head teacher of Kilmarnock Academy and former president of School Leaders Scotland
  • Heather Fuller: Primary head teacher at Jordanhill School, former Development Officer at Education Scotland
  • Jim Goodall: Former Head of Education and Community Services at Clackmannanshire Council and former Lib Dem councillor at East Dunbartonshire Council
  • Johann Lamont: Former teacher (1979-99) and retired Member of the Scottish Parliament (1999-2022)
  • Frank Lennon: Former head teacher of Dunblane High School and St Modan’s, Stirling
  • Cllr Alix Mathieson: Conservative Councillor at East Dunbartonshire Council, member of education committee and Former Chairperson of a third sector nursery
  • Lindsay Paterson: Professor emeritus of education policy in the School of Social and Political Science at Edinburgh University.
  • Liz Smith CBE: Education consultant specialising in outdoor education and member of the Court of St Andrews University, former Member of the Scottish Parliament (2007-2026) and former teacher.


*All members of the Commission participate in an individual capacity and that the views of the Commission do not represent the views of any other organisation to which individual members belong