Role of regional schools commissioners ‘unclear’, MPs claim

The role of regional schools commissioners (RSCs) is unclear and in need of clarification, according to a report from the Education Select Committee.

RSCs were introduce by the Department for Education (DfE) in 2014 to monitor new academies that lacked local oversight. The report acknowledged that RSCs were doing a ‘necessary job’ and were a ‘pragmatic response’ to the problem, but argued that the system to scrutinise academies and free schools was ‘confused, fragmented and lacking in transparency’.

The Committee claimed that with more than 5,000 academies now operating in England, the system for monitoring them needs reassessment.

The report recommends that the government ‘sets out more clearly’ the role of national schools commissioner and how it relates to the role if the RSCs. It also says that, as RSCs are occupying an ‘increasingly powerful position in the education system’, the government should reflect on the need to improve understanding of the role of RSCs to other parties involved in education, as well as clarifying the division of responsibilities between RSCs, local authorities and Ofsted.

Neil Carmichael, Committee chairman, said: "It's hardly surprising that most people have never heard of RSCs and even those who have are unclear about their role.

"RSCs are a product of the Department's 'acting first, thinking later' approach when it comes to big changes in the schools landscape.

"The DfE needs to take a long hard look at this picture once the number of academies stabilises and design a more coherent system for the future which ensures proper accountability for schools."

Commenting on the report, Roy Perry, Chairman of the Local Government Association's Children and Young People Board, said: "Councils remain concerned that Regional Schools Commissioners still lack the capacity and local knowledge to have oversight of such a large, diverse and remote range of schools. Having their geographical boundaries set differently to Ofsted's is also very confusing for parents, who still turn to their council for support and advice on their child's education.

"The LGA opposes significant powers relating to education being given to an unelected body with parents and residents unable to hold it to account at the ballot box."