Gove recommends English approach to address Scotland’s declining school standards
Michael Gove has offered to advise the Scottish Government on improving schools by applying lessons from his time as UK education secretary in England, arguing that SNP ministers' "ideological fads" and rising classroom indiscipline have let down Scottish pupils. The offer comes as Scotland's education performance continues to slide in international rankings, reviving debate over school standards and discipline north of the border. Education Secretary Màiri McAllan did not outright dismiss the proposal but said meeting an "architect of Tory austerity" was not a priority for her.
The intervention follows the latest PISA study, which found reading and maths ability among Scottish 15-year-olds at an all-time low, though science scores had improved since 2022; Scottish pupils now trail their English counterparts by six months in reading and more than a year in science and maths. First Minister John Swinney was criticised as "utterly delusional" for calling the results "essentially stable", while Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay accused the SNP of being "close-minded and petty". Gove, writing in The Times, said he would work with McAllan and Public Service Reform Secretary Ivan McKee, blaming political failure rather than pupils or teachers, and citing an unaddressed "behaviour crisis" in Scottish classrooms.
In short
- Gove offers SNP his help fixing Scottish schools using English reforms
- PISA scores show Scottish pupils' reading, maths at record lows
- McAllan calls meeting Gove not a priority, citing "Tory austerity"
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Gove’s offer merits consideration because Scotland’s falling reading and maths results suggest that current policies are not delivering for pupils. His experience in England could provide practical lessons on curriculum, teaching and classroom discipline, and setting aside party differences may help identify reforms that serve children and teachers.
The case against
Scottish ministers can reasonably question whether Gove’s approach is suitable for Scotland, given differences in education systems and the controversy around his record in England. They may prefer to draw on local evidence and expertise, and argue that improving results requires addressing wider pressures on schools rather than adopting another government’s policies or attributing decline chiefly to ideology and discipline.
Explained simply
Education policy is devolved, so the Scottish Government sets rules for schools in Scotland, while England has a separate system. Michael Gove was UK education secretary from 2010 to 2014 and helped shape reforms in England; he is now a Conservative politician.
Scotland’s school standards have been debated after international PISA tests found that 15-year-olds’ reading and maths scores were at their lowest recorded levels. The results have prompted questions about how schools are run and how pupils’ behaviour is managed.
The debate involves the SNP-led Scottish Government, including Education Secretary Màiri McAllan and First Minister John Swinney, as well as opposition parties. It matters because school results can affect pupils’ future opportunities and inform decisions about education policy.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Now Michael Gove offers to help the SNP rescue Scots schools… by learning lessons from England”.