Ex-musician named Scotland’s new Chief Inspector of Education

A former professional musician has been named as Scotland’s new chief inspector of education.

Ruth Binks went into teaching after forging a playing career and has latterly spent eight years as corporate director of education, communities and organisational development at Inverclyde Council.

She will take up the new role at the end of March, subject to final checks and appointment by an order of the King.

The job brings with it enhanced independence under reforms passed by the Scottish Parliament last year.

Binks said: “My passion for achieving excellence and reducing inequalities for our young people has been at the heart of everything I have undertaken in my career to date.

“In my new role as His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education I will continue to pursue this passion, striving to get the very best for every young person regardless of their background.”

HM Inspectorate of Education in Scotland came into being at the start of December, following reforms passed by the Scottish Parliament last year.

Scotland has not had a standalone inspectorate since 2011, when the previous body merged with Learning and Teaching Scotland to create Education Scotland.

But fresh legislation backed by MSPs saw Education Scotland’s responsibilities split, following concerns it was marking its own homework.

Graeme Logan, interim chief executive of Education Scotland, will continue to cover the role of chief inspector until Binks takes office.

Binks said: “My passion for achieving excellence and reducing inequalities for our young people has been at the heart of everything I have undertaken in my career to date.

“In my new role as His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education I will continue to pursue this passion, striving to get the very best for every young person regardless of their background.”

Binks travelled internationally as a flute and piccolo player and entered teaching in Highland primary schools in the late 1990s. She was head teacher at Croy and Central primaries before becoming a quality improvement officer with the local authority, going on to perform other roles within the team. She joined Inverclyde Council in 2015.

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth commented: “Ruth has a depth of knowledge of Scottish education, both in the classroom and in a strategic leadership capacity.

"I’m confident that she brings the right experience to this key role.

“The new inspectorate body will have greater independence and the power to set the frequency and focus of inspections.

“The office is at the heart of the education reform programme this government is driving forward.

“This appointment will be pivotal in our efforts to drive improvement across Scotland’s education and skills system and to bring about the changes required to meet the needs of future generations of young people.”