Education experts from Scotland and Wales will come together next week to examine 25 years of reform and set out what must happen next. With elections approaching in May, the online discussion aims to cut through political noise and focus on the real challenges facing schools in both nations.
The event raises tough questions. Why have PISA results declined? Why does the attainment gap remain so wide? And can Scotland and Wales learn from each other instead of repeating the same mistakes?
Cross Border Debate Comes at Critical Time
The panel discussion, a joint effort between Enlighten and PolicyWISE, will take place on Zoom on Monday 20 April at 1.30pm. Experts will review what has worked, what has failed, and what bold steps the next governments must take for the sake of learners and staff.
Both nations have pursued their own education journeys since devolution. Scotland focused on Curriculum for Excellence while Wales has implemented a major new curriculum since 2022. Yet recent data suggests neither approach has fully delivered the progress that was promised.
Twenty Five Years of Mixed Results
When devolution began in 1999, many hoped greater local control would improve standards and fairness. The reality has proved far more complicated. Both countries have invested heavily in education, yet outcomes have not matched the ambition.
Bold sentence: Standards have slipped in key areas while the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged pupils has refused to close.
This situation has created growing frustration among teachers, parents and business leaders who worry that current systems are not preparing young people for the future.
PISA Scores Reveal Deep Concerns
International rankings have delivered uncomfortable reading for both nations. The latest PISA results showed declines across reading, mathematics and science, with both Scotland and Wales performing below the OECD average.
Here is how the two nations compared in the most recent PISA cycle:
| Subject | Scotland Score | Wales Score | OECD Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 471 | 466 | 472 |
| Reading | 493 | 474 | 476 |
| Science | 485 | 478 | 485 |
These numbers matter. They show that despite different reform strategies, both countries face similar challenges in core skills. The discussion will examine why progress has stalled and what practical changes could reverse the trend.
Closing the Attainment Gap Remains Elusive
One of the biggest shared failures is the persistent gap in attainment linked to poverty. Children from deprived backgrounds in both Scotland and Wales continue to lag behind their peers by large margins in exams and other measures.
The gap is not just about test scores. It affects confidence, ambition and life chances. Experts argue that without radical action, entire communities risk being left behind in an increasingly competitive world.
The panel will explore whether targeted funding has been effective and what more targeted support is needed for pupils with additional learning needs, whose numbers have risen sharply since the pandemic.
What Scotland and Wales Can Learn From Each Other
A key focus of the event is honest reflection on successes and failures on both sides of the border. Scotland has made strides in some areas of pupil voice and inclusion. Wales has shown innovation in its new curriculum design and Welsh language education.
Yet both systems struggle with teacher workload, recruitment shortages and inconsistent support for additional needs. The discussion will ask whether a shared set of principles could guide the next phase of reform.
Enlighten’s Commission on School Reform has already published a detailed manifesto for Scotland that calls for greater rigour, better leadership training and clearer accountability. The panel will debate whether Wales needs a similar comprehensive plan.
Expert Panel Brings Real World Experience
The discussion features people who understand education from the front line.
- Owain Lloyd serves as Director of Education for Carmarthenshire and knows the realities of delivering change locally in Wales.
- Laurel Davies is headteacher of Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera Bro Dur and brings daily insight into successful Welsh medium schooling.
- Keir Bloomer chairs the Commission on School Reform and led a major education review in Northern Ireland.
- Carole Ford is a former headteacher and president of School Leaders Scotland with decades of leadership experience.
Dewi Knight, director of PolicyWISE, will chair what promises to be a frank and constructive conversation. Those wishing to attend can reserve their place by contacting events@enlighten.scot
The next few years will shape education for a generation. Getting reform right could transform opportunities for thousands of young people. Getting it wrong will carry heavy costs for individuals and for society as a whole.
This event offers a rare chance to hear serious thinking unfiltered by party politics. The children in Scotland and Wales classrooms deserve nothing less than honest analysis and courageous leadership.
The coming election campaigns will be full of promises. The real test will be whether any of those promises match the scale of change that education experts say is now essential.
What changes would make the biggest difference to schools in Scotland and Wales? Share your thoughts in the comments.
