1. Declaration of interests

Senga Beresford will be invited to declare any relevant interests.

2. Qualifications Scotland and His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland (Miscellaneous Listings) Regulations 2026 – evidence

The Committee will take evidence from—

• Alyn Smith
  Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education
  Scottish Government
• Sarah Hart
  Qualifications Scotland Sponsorship Team
  Scottish Government
• Judith Brown
  Solicitor
  Scottish Government Legal Directorate

3. Qualifications Scotland and His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland (Miscellaneous Listings) Regulations 2026 – motion recommending approval

Alyn Smith (Minister for Innovation, Technology and Tertiary Education) to move—

S7M-01925—That the Education and Gaelic Committee recommends that the Qualifications Scotland and His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland (Miscellaneous Listings) Regulations 2026 [draft] be approved.

4. Apprenticeships – evidence

The Committee will take evidence from—

• James Withers
  Director
  JR Withers Advisory Ltd
• Dr Janet Brown
  RSE - Vice President Education
  Royal Society of Edinburgh
• Helyn Gould
  Deputy Associate Principal for Education, Systems and Enhancement
  University of Strathclyde

5. Support for pupils with persistent absence – evidence

The Committee will take evidence from—

• Billy Anderson
  Head of Services and Influencing
  Children in Scotland
• Gavin Yates
  Executive Director
  Connect
• Lisa Weylandt
  Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer
  Includem