Education (Scotland) Act 2016

[^key-4cb3e5e96fb4457973d986d9698d2bff]: S. 15 in force at 1.2.2017 by S.S.I. 2016/386, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-066d6f9d589149c8139709d0a57bca4e]: S. 18 in force at 1.2.2017 by S.S.I. 2016/386, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-050c949e6db8977f0d0d49b1f07240e2]: S. 1 in force at 1.8.2017 in so far as not already in force by S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-39fa05e8cbba07568accaeb137c1cb0e]: S. 2(1)(2) in force at 1.8.2017 in so far as not already in force by S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-bcf95782256d4298daf8cde9121e0582]: S. 2(3) in force at 1.8.2017 in so far as not already in force by S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-be8f75bb0b91687f1b58d1a23a0d8ca2]: S. 2(4)(a) in force at 1.8.2017 in so far as not already in force by S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-5bf8045495ef94354dfd616ffe5ef1a8]: S. 3(1)(2) in force at 1.8.2017 in so far as not already in force by S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-652a86fc6bc574ab66483dbee689869e]: S. 3(3)-(7) in force at 1.8.2017 by S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-668a8cbc3ef6c2b15286cbe49567bbfb]: S. 5 in force at 1.8.2017 by S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-bc1efaea2b73b49bd7ac8a932eccbedb]: S. 6 in force at 1.8.2017 by S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-20c5dc03e84e147fb0bc001722bf8a6a]: S. 19 in force at 1.8.2017 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-e90919b20fae0bdbe96a76e61d95d9bc]: Sch. para. 15 in force at 1.8.2017 by S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-dca887a31248590142d27c49a3f33bfd]: S. 24 in force at 10.1.2018 in so far as not already in force by S.S.I. 2017/164, reg. 2, sch. (as amended by S.S.I. 2017/352, reg. 2)

[^key-6d06a5827f5101b42d98f8d7cde5e0ab]: S. 19 in force at 10.1.2018 in so far as not already in force by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-1f9c6cca79223ca99a73fc3dff657a78]: S. 28(3) in force at 10.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(b)

[^key-344556716c3a7d4bd5d8f7c8bf7f648b]: Sch. para. 1 in force at 10.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-8b26994895e92a8e5c7d8eff47d4f594]: Sch. para. 2 in force at 10.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-674aca825f7943057ed4f62cfefbf663]: Sch. para. 3 in force at 10.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-0cb840c220681b8ab137bffd688eab57]: Sch. para. 4 in force at 10.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-37d767c9f0f5ea6b0c456f76979a32ce]: Sch. para. 5 in force at 10.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-29d305959878ff5ce428deb6f2f4fb12]: Sch. para. 6 in force at 10.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-621ccf1c41092a04c65e8bfa2f35fe4a]: Sch. para. 7 in force at 10.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-a2fec4dc973effe09f774895fda5f8de]: Sch. para. 8 in force at 10.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-64d1bc2fbd0804dbef92874ca3cc9e69]: Sch. para. 9 in force at 10.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-35878949fc45e0597b0fabe79ed0a6dd]: Sch. para. 10 in force at 10.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-34906ae3711550b6a5c93052d4c8fff2]: Sch. para. 11 in force at 10.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-40e4aad9f4b07fc8560e498d7c826b4f]: Sch. para. 12 in force at 10.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-2d99a0ad10c044f1a01beb217068eb0f]: Sch. para. 13 in force at 10.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-78c1aa9196cfb88c4fecc36bfeb896d9]: Sch. para. 14 in force at 10.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-d1a6b4f0a62741599b382bd35e40e04f]: Sch. para. 16 in force at 10.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-53c69ca226cb69eef025064b3146abc1]: Sch. para. 17 in force at 10.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-2dd50f0301a80c887c32ccd9ea69edc0]: Sch. para. 18 in force at 10.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-8d5a988a9601156c23e5810a178fd65c]: Sch. para. 19 in force at 10.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-9339239f384fa8e0a0b3f177f6ebd9e1]: Sch. para. 20 in force at 10.1.2018 in so far as not already in force by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-d7d98bb1cf57c925d2cd04d4244cc91e]: Sch. para. 21 in force at 10.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-dc1bcfc0809e2636a3e3a757819afcea]: Sch. para. 22 in force at 10.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-785957d3b192493ba3c2456604a22419]: Sch. para. 23 in force at 10.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-b243437b161be49a07eab947446d9635]: Sch. para. 24 in force at 10.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-a0aa000ca740818cddae119809432bde]: Sch. para. 25 in force at 10.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/354, reg. 2(a)

[^key-e8da13e54d1a90ccbe37536d6aa32414]: S. 22(1)(2) (4)-(6) in force at 1.4.2018 by S.S.I. 2018/36, reg. 2 (with reg. 3)

[^key-c75b552f7a6173c4ae6f8a1aaa3b715c]: S. 21(1)(2) in force at 29.3.2023 in so far as not already in force by S.S.I. 2023/74, reg. 2

[^key-d861ac2d26db276c07754129779afb27]: S. 21(3) in force at 29.3.2023 by S.S.I. 2023/74, reg. 2

[^key-26d0c10ae180c36836b4ce1d560dd7c0]: Pt. 2 heading substituted (30.11.2025) by Scottish Languages Act 2025 (asp 10), ss. 15(2), 48(2); S.S.I. 2025/348, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-316cd510da34ee3d968f74cef061bf84]: S. 15 cross-heading substituted (30.11.2025) by Scottish Languages Act 2025 (asp 10), ss. 20(2), 48(2); S.S.I. 2025/348, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-09202826501f06615d4837438fbd682e]: S. 6A and cross-heading inserted (30.11.2025) by Scottish Languages Act 2025 (asp 10), ss. 15(3), 48(2); S.S.I. 2025/348, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-36fdbbd435eaf1a8f0dcdb3c4089a96a]: S. 6B inserted (30.11.2025) by Scottish Languages Act 2025 (asp 10), ss. 16(2), 48(2); S.S.I. 2025/348, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-fbef1e15de910c0f4b6df676f9544523]: S. 6C inserted (30.11.2025 for specified purposes) by Scottish Languages Act 2025 (asp 10), ss. 17(2), 48(2); S.S.I. 2025/348, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-e883c14bf5ed5028c7bc969ea04d5330]: Ss. 6D, 6E inserted (30.11.2025) by Scottish Languages Act 2025 (asp 10), ss. 18(2), 48(2); S.S.I. 2025/348, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-eb0bfbaf9c3869de2da8de8d37fc6cb4]: S. 14A inserted (30.11.2025) by Scottish Languages Act 2025 (asp 10), ss. 20(3), 48(2); S.S.I. 2025/348, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-28f58c08bbcecc9b1ae750e9f62d9ec3]: Ss. 16B, 16C and cross-heading inserted (30.11.2025) by Scottish Languages Act 2025 (asp 10), ss. 23(2), 48(2); S.S.I. 2025/348, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-8b6fa9dc7c6e2d7ab99cc4411e51ec53]: Word in s. 8(5)(a) substituted (30.11.2025 for specified purposes) by Scottish Languages Act 2025 (asp 10), ss. 17(3), 48(2); S.S.I. 2025/348, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-eb9247cfc8296dcfb0a022353029d304]: S. 9(7A) inserted (30.11.2025) by Scottish Languages Act 2025 (asp 10), ss. 27(2)(b), 48(2); S.S.I. 2025/348, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-c85b52fbfa684ca3d3c6d092262365ec]: Words in s. 9(7)(b) substituted (30.11.2025) by Scottish Languages Act 2025 (asp 10), ss. 27(2)(a), 48(2); S.S.I. 2025/348, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-3fefd805690ee4d3d8aeef1465194960]: Word in s. 12(6)(b) substituted (30.11.2025 for specified purposes) by Scottish Languages Act 2025 (asp 10), ss. 17(4), 48(2); S.S.I. 2025/348, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-8762906c2815abe7e38204f7f8757c93]: Word in s. 15(6)(c) substituted (30.11.2025 for specified purposes) by Scottish Languages Act 2025 (asp 10), ss. 17(5), 48(2); S.S.I. 2025/348, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-c404a16d3ca94770693ed65f8a4092a4]: S. 16 repealed (30.11.2025 for specified purposes) by Scottish Languages Act 2025 (asp 10), ss. 17(6), 48(2); S.S.I. 2025/348, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-75ffc2106d804b701ed6b7ce6a1666ec]: Word in s. 18(2) substituted (30.11.2025) by Scottish Languages Act 2025 (asp 10), ss. 15(4), 48(2); S.S.I. 2025/348, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-ea608f19e99419be2b2fcda94e42deb9]: Words in s. 18(1) inserted (30.11.2025) by Scottish Languages Act 2025 (asp 10), ss. 16(3), 48(2); S.S.I. 2025/348, reg. 2, sch.

[^key-7b2032f297f3c07eec3519f44ac357ed]: Words in s. 16B substituted (1.2.2026) by The Education (Scotland) Act 2025 (Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2026 (S.S.I. 2026/40), regs. 1(2), 2(5)(a); S.S.I. 2026/2, reg. 2(2)(3), sch. Pt. 1

[^key-22c42275971a1d07b8f52fb80c6306b0]: Words in s. 16B substituted (1.2.2026) by The Education (Scotland) Act 2025 (Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2026 (S.S.I. 2026/40), regs. 1(2), 2(5)(b); S.S.I. 2026/2, reg. 2(2)(3), sch. Pt. 1

[^key-b75287ff74247a7cce870051439fcf11]: Words in s. 16C substituted (1.2.2026) by The Education (Scotland) Act 2025 (Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2026 (S.S.I. 2026/40), regs. 1(2), 2(6); S.S.I. 2026/2, reg. 2(2)(3), sch. Pt. 1

[^key-20f021ddfec677201e4321df211e3f6b]: S. 6B(3)(d) substituted (1.3.2026) by The Education (Scotland) Act 2025 (Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2026 (S.S.I. 2026/40), regs. 1(3), 2(2); S.S.I. 2026/2, reg. 2(4)(5), sch. Pt. 2

[^key-6c4f0c500056940d4c178fdaa93a1b5e]: S. 12(3)(a) substituted (1.3.2026) by Education (Scotland) Act 2025 (asp 11), s. 66(2), sch. 4 para. 26(2); S.S.I. 2026/2, reg. 2(4)(5), sch. Pt. 2 (with reg. 9)

National Improvement Framework

Duties in relation to promotion of health

Functions of Scottish Ministers

6A

• (1) The Scottish Ministers must promote, facilitate and support—

• (a) the provision in schools of—

• (i) Gaelic learner education,

• (ii) Gaelic medium education, and

• (b) the teaching of the Gaelic language in the provision of further education by education authorities.

• (2) The Scottish Ministers must in particular promote, facilitate and support the provision of adequate education resources in the Gaelic language for use in school education by teachers and pupils.

6B

• (1) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations specify the standards and requirements to which an education authority must conform in discharging its functions—

• (a) relating to Gaelic learner education and Gaelic medium education in its provision of school education, and

• (b) relating to the teaching of the Gaelic language in its provision of further education.

• (2) Regulations under subsection (1) may make different provision for different purposes and different areas (including different parts of the area of an education authority).

• (3) In preparing regulations under subsection (1), the Scottish Ministers must consult—

• (a) Bòrd na Gàidhlig,

• (b) education authorities,

• (c) the body known as Comann nam Pàrant (Nàiseanta),

• (d) His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland,

• (e) the General Teaching Council for Scotland,

• (f) persons with an interest in the promotion of the Gaelic language and Gaelic culture,

• (g) persons with an interest in the publication of books and other resources in the Gaelic language, and

• (h) such other persons as they consider appropriate.

• (4) The Scottish Ministers must publish the results of the consultation undertaken under subsection (3).

6C

• (1) The Scottish Ministers must give guidance to Scottish public authorities relating to—

• (a) Gaelic learner education and Gaelic medium education,

• (b) the teaching of the Gaelic language in the provision of further education by education authorities,

• (c) the development of education mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b).

• (2) A Scottish public authority having functions relating to education must, to the extent that guidance under subsection (1) relates to those functions, have regard to any guidance given by the Scottish Ministers under subsection (1).

• (3) In preparing guidance under subsection (1), the Scottish Ministers must consult—

• (a) Bòrd na Gàidhlig,

• (b) education authorities,

• (c) the body known as Comann nam Pàrant (Nàiseanta), and

• (d) such other persons as the Scottish Ministers consider appropriate.

• (4) The Scottish Ministers must publish any guidance given under subsection (1).

6D

• (1) When the Scottish Ministers produce any information, guidance or documents in the English language for use in school education by teachers or pupils, they must consider whether also to produce that material in the Gaelic language.

• (2) The Scottish Ministers must, on request from an education authority, consider whether to produce a translation into the Gaelic language of any material of the type mentioned in subsection (1), including material produced before this section came into force.

• (3) In this section, a reference to the Scottish Ministers producing material includes—

• (a) that material being produced, commissioned, procured or funded for or by the Scottish Ministers,

• (b) that material being updated.

6E

• (1) The Scottish Ministers must keep under review the adequacy of education resources in the Gaelic language available for use in school education by teachers and pupils.

• (2) The Scottish Ministers must from time to time prepare and publish a report setting out the steps they consider necessary to address any issues identified by the review.

14A

In exercising its functions under Parts 1 and 2 of the 1980 Act, an education authority must—

• (a) promote, facilitate and support—

• (i) Gaelic learner education,

• (ii) Gaelic medium education, and

• (iii) the teaching of the Gaelic language in its provision of further education,

• (b) have regard to the needs and interests of all pupils and prospective pupils who are receiving, or who wish to receive, Gaelic learner education or Gaelic medium education.

Gaelic education qualifications

16B

• (1) In exercising its function of devising qualifications, Qualifications Scotland must ensure that these qualifications include an appropriate number and range of qualifications available through the medium of the Gaelic language.

• (2) In deciding what is an appropriate number and range of qualifications for the purpose of subsection (1), Qualifications Scotland must—

• (a) seek advice from—

• (i) the Scottish Ministers,

• (ii) Bòrd na Gàidhlig,

• (iii) such other persons with expertise or an interest in the Gaelic language as Qualifications Scotland considers appropriate,

• (b) have regard to—

• (i) any advice received in response to a request under paragraph (a),

• (ii) any information Qualifications Scotland has about the demand for qualifications in particular subjects or at particular levels.

16C

• (1) When Qualifications Scotland produces information, guidance or documents in the English language for use in connection with qualifications it has devised, it must also produce equivalent material in the Gaelic language for such of those qualifications as are available through the medium of the Gaelic language.

• (2) Qualifications Scotland must, on request from the Scottish Ministers, produce a translation into the Gaelic language of any material of the type mentioned in subsection (1), whether or not that material was produced before this section came into force.

Enforcement of statutory duties

Provision of early learning and childcare: children with guardians

Regulations