This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Education bodies to share premises
04/05/2005
The two bodies responsible for Scotland's curriculum and
qualifications are to move to shared premises in Glasgow,
Education Minister Peter Peacock announced today.
Learning and Teaching Scotland (LT Scotland) and the
Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) will leave their
existing Glasgow offices and move to shared premises in the
city. Negotiations are continuing, but the preferred
location is the Optima Building in Robertson Street.
The LT Scotland offices in Dundee, and SQA's Dalkeith
centre, are unaffected.
Mr Peacock said:
"LT Scotland and SQA already work closely together,
ensuring that our curriculum and qualifications fit well
together and that schools have the tools they need to
deliver these.
"This move makes operational and financial sense. It
will provide value for money for the tax payer while also
ensuring that both organisations can continue to work
closely together for the good of Scottish pupils."
Bernard McLeary, chief executive of LT Scotland,
said:
"The securing of this modern, adaptable office space is
very good news for LT Scotland. The limitations of our
current Victorian-era premises have been very apparent for
some time. I am sure the flexible working arrangements
afforded by the Optima Building will bring benefits for
both staff and stakeholders alike and will enable us to
provide an enhanced service across education in
Scotland.
"Co-location with colleagues in the SQA makes a great
deal of sense in terms of economics and the already
well-established and necessary liaison that exists between
the organisations can only be enriched. We will make good
neighbours."
SQA chief executive Anton Colella said:
"This move to new modern premises in Glasgow will help
SQA manage Scotland's modern examination and qualification
system even more effectively. We look forward to working
even more closely with LT Scotland, to the benefit of
Scotland's young people and everyone involved in Scottish
qualifications."
Both LT Scotland and SQA are Executive non-departmental
public bodies. LT Scotland reviews, assesses and supports
developments in learning and education, including the use
of information and communications technology (ICT). It
offers guidance and support on the early years, primary and
secondary curriculum. LT Scotland's existing offices in
the West End of Glasgow are currently on the market.
SQA is responsible for the development, accreditation,
assessment and certification of qualifications other than
degrees. SQA's existing Glasgow offices will be sold.
The Executive's relocation policy has been in operation
since 1999. When a new agency is established, or existing
ones merge, a review is undertaken to decide where the body
will be located, with a presumption that it will be outside
Edinburgh. Reviews are undertaken for existing bodies when,
for example, a lease expires and all locations - including
Edinburgh - are considered.