Regional Schools Commissioners

Eight Regional Schools Commissioners (RSCs) were appointed in September 2014 to oversee the growing numbers of academies in England and have since become increasingly prominent. In fact, their roles are likely to expand to include decision-making in tackling poor performing local authority (LA) maintained schools as well as coasting schools. 

Further to the Government's report laying out plans to turn all maintained schools into academies by 2022, research by the Local Government Association (LGA) found that 86% of council-maintained schools are now rated 'good' or 'outstanding' by Ofsted, compared with 82% of academies. They also found that 'inadequate' council-maintained schools are more likely to improve if they stay with their local authority, rather than being forced to convert to an academy.