From Review to Action: Cocreating the Future of the National Schools Programme

Photo: Edinburgh Napier University

The National Schools Programme (NSP) aims to support S4-S6 pupils from backgrounds of socioeconomic disadvantage and from underrepresented groups to access higher education in university. Since the publication of the NSP Review in 2024, significant work has begun to take forward its recommendations and strengthen the Programme for the future. The Review set out a clear and ambitious vision, and we are now seeing that vision take shape through collaboration across the sector.

To guide this work, the NSP Strategic Advisory Group was established earlier this year. It brings together colleagues from across Scotland to help steer progress and ensure transparency. The group first met in May 2025, with a second meeting planned for late November.

The transition has been energising. The Review laid out a clear, sector-informed vision for strengthening the NSP, and what’s struck us most is how ready people are to help realise it. Across the sector, there’s a common commitment to improving outcomes for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and the shared understanding that the NSP isn’t just a programme, but a collective effort for the common good.

What’s worked well

One of the most affirming aspects of this phase has been the appetite for co-creation: through expressions of interest to join the Evaluation Framework Taskforce, we’ve seen people keen to shape the future of the NSP and honour the values it stands for. There’s a real generosity in how colleagues are embracing these initiatives, bringing their expertise, and asking thoughtful questions.

It’s also been encouraging to see how the Review’s recommendations are translating into action. As well as strong engagement from colleagues across the Scottish Funding Council, particularly in areas like evaluation, finance, data analytics and communications, workstreams on eligibility, pupil outcome tracking, and access to high demand professions are now underway, each with a clear remit and sector collaboration. The Evaluation Framework Taskforce membership has been confirmed, and our first meeting is scheduled for November. These milestones matter not just administratively; our drive towards them reflects our enthusiasm, momentum, and desire for progress.

What’s been more challenging

With some temporary staff changes, we’ve been finding our rhythm as a team, providing continuity during a maternity leave period while bringing in a different perspective to complement established experience. As one of us gets to grips with acronyms and the many moving parts that shape this work, the other has been sharing knowledge and lending stability to keep things on track. It’s been a time of learning and adapting together to ensure momentum isn’t lost.

Staffing delays have also meant some timelines have shifted. We’ve had to be pragmatic by prioritising what’s most urgent, communicating clearly with stakeholders, and acknowledging that meaningful change takes time. We’re also learning how to balance ambition with feasibility. The Review surfaced a wide range of ideas, and part of our role is to help shape those into defined areas of work, without losing sight of the ethical commitment to fair access that underpins them.

What’s next?

The NSP Review is not just a set of recommendations on paper; it is about recognising and honouring the expertise, commitment and creativity of the practitioners and programme leads who make the work possible every day. Together, we are cocreating systems that not only respond to the Review but also support lasting improvement for pupils, schools and institutions across Scotland.

Over the next few months, the work of the newly formed Evaluation Framework Taskforce will commence with the aim of co-developing a national framework to evaluate the impact of NSP activities with colleagues across the sector. In spring 2026, we will work with partners to continue scoping out our approach to supporting Access to High Demand Professions, as well as initiating our commissioned research to better understand regional delivery needs and variation in coverage. This work will contribute to the discussions of the second short-life task force in Spring 2026 to establish core eligibility criteria and selection methodology to ensure consistency and fairness across the NSP.

We are excited to see the NSP evolve in this spirit of collaboration, and grateful to all colleagues who have contributed their time, insight and energy so far. Your partnership is what makes this work possible.

By Anthea Coleman-Chan (NSP Coordinator – maternity cover) and Mary Macgowan (NSP Project Officer)