The growth of influence of transnational organisations in education and other policy fields is well documented. Current research indicates the de-centring of nation-state power, the rise of multi-national agencies and the growth of influence of transnational experts. Research in the critical policy studies (CPS) tradition seeks to problematise policy-making, to explore the processes and define the limits of transnational governance, and interrogate its repertoire of standards, regulation and travelling expertise. This paper offers a preliminary exploration of these issues from a CPS perspective through examination of the interaction of the OECD with the Scottish Government in the field of education policy in the period 2015-2020, and considers the role of political leadership in working with, mediating or developing a counter-narrative to globalising policy agendas.