The basics, plus a map of the regions can be found here.
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All press releases contained this note from the DfE:
Regional schools commissioners' responsibilities will include:
· Taking decisions on the creation of new academies on behalf of the Education Secretary;
· Monitoring their performance and improving underperforming academies; and
· Ensuring there is a strong supply of excellent sponsors to work with underperforming schools in the region.
And this from Schools Commissioner Frank Green:
"I am delighted with the appointment of the first six regional schools commissioners. We have been able to appoint outstanding people to these positions, all of whom have experience as regional or national leaders of education.
"There are now over 4,000 academies, making up more than 60 per cent of all secondary schools - and we now have higher numbers of primary than secondary schools as academies for the first time. "As the number of academies continues to grow rapidly, the need to build a regional support framework for them is an essential part of the development of our school system so that more decisions are taken at a local level.”
1. Lancashire and West Yorkshire
The Executive Head Teacher of an outstanding primary school has today been appointed as the first Regional Schools Commissioner for Lancashire and West Yorkshire.
Paul Smith, who leads Parbold Douglas Church of England Academy and teaching school near Wigan, will be responsible for overseeing the growth of academies in the region and will monitor their performance to ensure children receive the best possible education.
He will work closely with national Schools Commissioner, Frank Green, and Education Secretary Michael Gove to shape the role and priorities of the growing numbers of academies in Lancashire and West Yorkshire.
Mr Smith said: "I am very excited to take up this key role as Regional Schools Commissioner for Lancashire and West Yorkshire.
"I am well aware of the diversity and challenge that exists within the region and I am determined to begin the process of transforming under-performing schools, and promoting excellence within our area.
"My fundamental duty will be to help ensure all children and young people receive an excellent standard of education by attending schools where they are challenged and supported.”
The regions covered by the commissioners will be split into eight areas across England. The Lancashire and West Yorkshire Commissioner will work with more than 400 academies in areas including Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds.
Mr Smith, who will start in his new post later this year, will be advised by a board of around six head teachers of outstanding academies or experienced educational leaders, the majority of whom will be elected to the position by their peers. The board will challenge and support the work of the commissioner.
Notes to editors: 1) The Lancashire and West Yorkshire Commissioner will work in Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Bolton, Bradford, Bury, Calderdale, Halton, Kirklees, Knowlsley, Lancashire, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Sefton, St Helens, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wakefield, Warrington, Wigan and Wirral.
2) The RSCs, supported by their head teacher boards, will perform functions of the Secretary of State on his behalf, within a national framework. This will not cut across existing accountability lines; accountability will remain with the Secretary of State, with decisions better informed by sector expertise.
3) Mr Smith's biography is below: Paul Smith has worked as a school leader for more than ten years, leading a variety of schools, including Voluntary Aided, maintained schools and has most recently been Executive Principal of a Primary Academy — Parbold Douglas Church of England Academy and Teaching School. He has served as both a Local Leader of Education and a National Leader of Education, supporting both primary and secondary colleagues to bring about sustained improvement. Through his work in a variety of schools and contexts he has developed a broad understanding of the education system in a wide range of circumstances. Paul has also had experience of working with the Department for Education, including with the National College of Teaching and Leadership, and serving on several committees including the National Primary head teacher reference group.
2. South West
The head of a successful academy group overseeing the education of 6,000 pupils has today been announced as the first regional schools commissioner for the South West.
Sir David Carter, Chief Executive Officer of the Cabot Learning Federation, which includes 11 academies in Bristol, Bath and Weston-super-Mare, will be responsible for overseeing the growth of academies in the region and will monitor their performance to ensure children receive the best possible education.
He will work closely with national Schools Commissioner, Frank Green, and Education Secretary Michael Gove to shape the role and priorities of the growing numbers of academies in the South West.
Sir David said:
"I am thrilled to have this opportunity to become the Regional Schools Commissioner in the South West, a region that is close to my heart and well known to me.
"I look back with pride on the past six years and my role as leader of the Cabot Learning Federation.
"Leading a successful and collaborative federation has been exciting and hugely rewarding and I look forward to taking this experience in to my new role, providing the challenge and support to school leaders to improve the life chances of many more children in our region."
The regions covered by the commissioners will be split into eight areas across England. The South West Commissioner will work with almost 600 academies in areas including Cornwall, Bournemouth, Wiltshire and Bristol.
Sir David, who will start in his new post in September, will be advised by a board of around six head teachers of outstanding academies or experienced educational leaders, the majority of whom will be elected to the position by their peers. The board will challenge and support the work of the commissioner.
Notes to editors:
1) The south west RSC will cover schools in: Bath and North East Somerset, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Isles of Scilly, North Somerset, Plymouth, Poole, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, Torbay and Wiltshire.
2) The RSCs, supported by their head teacher boards, will perform functions of the Secretary of State on his behalf, within a national framework. This will not cut across existing accountability lines; accountability will remain with the Secretary of State, with decisions better informed by sector expertise.
3) Sir David's biography is below:
Sir David Carter is the CEO of the Cabot Learning Federation, a post he has held since September 2007. The federation consists of 11 Academies in East Bristol, Bath and Weston super Mare, with six being secondary schools and five of them primary. The federation has been recognised as a model of collaborative practice and is transforming standards for the 6000 children educated in the academies. The mission of the federation is "Collaboration for Outstanding Achievement”. The close geographical proximity of the Academies enables staff to move between the schools either for their own professional development or because the skill set they possess is needed more urgently in another setting. David is a music graduate of the University of London and has taught music in comprehensive schools across the country since he started teaching in September 1983. He is a Doctor of Laws from Bristol University and a visiting Professor at the University of the West of England (UWE). In 1997, David became headteacher of Cirencester Deer Park School in Gloucestershire, where he remained until August 2003. In 2003 David joined the DFE to spearhead the National Remodelling Team, supporting primary, special and secondary schools to introduce the workforce remodelling programme. In 2004, David was appointed to the post of Principal at John Cabot City Technology College in Bristol. Following his success at John Cabot Academy, David became one of the first National Leaders in Education and many of the Academies who are now part of the CLF did so following partnership work built through the NLE model. In the summer of 2011, the Cabot Learning Federation successfully applied to become one of the first teaching schools in the country.
David received a knighthood for his services to education in the Queen's birthday honours in 2013.
3. South London and the South East
The first Regional Schools Commissioner for South London and the South East has today been announced as Dominic Herrington, a senior civil servant who has overseen the academies programme across the country.
Mr Herrington, the Director of the academies group in the Department for Education, will be responsible for overseeing the growth of academies in the region and will monitor their performance to ensure children receive the best possible education.
He will work closely with national Schools Commissioner, Frank Green, and Education Secretary Michael Gove to shape the role and priorities of the growing numbers of academies in South London and the South East.
Mr Herrington said: "I'm delighted to become the first Regional Schools Commissioner for south London and the South East, and cannot wait to get started in the post.
"I wanted to do this role to help ensure the academies system flourishes. I want to build a powerful combination of academies and free schools that can raise standards for all pupils, and particularly those in the most disadvantaged parts of the region.
"I have a really good understanding of the challenges we all face and am looking forward to working with sponsors and head teachers in all local areas.”
The regions covered by the commissioners will be split into eight areas across England. The South London and South East Commissioner will work with more than 600 academies in areas including Brighton, Bromley, Hampshire, Kent, Surrey and West Sussex.
Mr Herrington, who will start in his new post in July, will be advised by a board of around six head teachers of outstanding academies or experienced educational leaders, the majority of whom will be elected to the position by their peers. The board will challenge and support the work of the commissioner.
Notes to editors: 1) The South London and South East Commissioner will cover Bexley, Brighton and Hove, Bromley, Croydon, East Sussex, Greenwich, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth Lewisham, Medway, Merton, Portsmouth, Richmond upon Thames, Southampton, Southwark, Surrey, Sutton, Wandsworth and West Sussex.
2) The RSCs, supported by their head teacher boards, will perform functions of the Secretary of State on his behalf, within a national framework. This will not cut across existing accountability lines; accountability will remain with the Secretary of State, with decisions better informed by sector expertise.
3) Mr Herrington's biography is below: Dominic Herrington has been Director of the Academies Group in the Department for Education since September 2011. He oversees all of the Department's work on the academies programme: converter academies, turning failing schools into sponsored academies and works with academy sponsors and open academies. Prior to this role he spent 11 years as a civil servant also in the Department for Education, leading a range of policies and programmes on specialist schools, school improvement, 14-19 reform and education legislation. He spent 2010 on secondment to a leading management consultancy. Prior to joining the civil service, he worked for several years at both Warwick and Birmingham Universities. Dominic has been a governor of a primary school for three years and prior to that was a governor for five years in a secondary academy, both in south-east London.
4. North East London and the East
The Director of Education at Essex County Council has today been announced as the first Regional Schools Commissioner for the North East London and East region.
Dr Tim Coulson, who was previously head teacher of the successful William Tyndale School in Islington North London, will be responsible for overseeing the growth of academies in the region and will monitor their performance to ensure children receive the best possible education.
He will work closely with national Schools Commissioner, Frank Green, and Education Secretary Michael Gove to shape the role and priorities of the growing numbers of academies in North East London and the East.
Mr Coulson said:
"I am looking forward to working with all across the region who want to raise educational standards for children and young people.
"I expect to build on the experience in Essex where schools have led the way with innovative developments of academy trusts that have enabled strong schools to take a wider leadership role.
"I am keen to work closely with the head teachers on the new regional boards and expect to see the region quickly improve.”
The regions covered by the commissioners will be split into eight areas across England. The North East London and East Commissioner will work with more than 450 academies in areas including Essex, Cambridgeshire, Hackney, Newham and Suffolk.
Mr Coulson, who will start in his new post later this year, will be advised by a board of around six head teachers of outstanding academies or experienced educational leaders, the majority of whom will be elected to the position by their peers. The board will challenge and support the work of the commissioner.
Notes to editors: 1) The North East London and East Commissioner will work with more than 450 academies in Barking and Dagenham, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hackney, Haringey, Havering, Newham, Norfolk, Peterborough, Redbridge, Southend on Sea, Suffolk, Thurrock, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.
2) The RSCs, supported by their head teacher boards, will perform functions of the Secretary of State on his behalf, within a national framework. This will not cut across existing accountability lines; accountability will remain with the Secretary of State, with decisions better informed by sector expertise.
3) Mr Coulson's full biography is below: Dr Tim Coulson was educated at school in Slough and at the universities of Durham, London and Leicester and has a PhD in mathematics. He taught in London primary schools and was head teacher at William Tyndale Primary School. He led an Education Action Zone in Lambeth, was responsible for curriculum and assessment developments at the Qualifications and Assessment Authority, was National Director of the National Numeracy Strategy and has worked for Waltham Forest, Reading and Camden local authorities, and is currently Director of Education at Essex County Council.
5. North West London and South Central
The head of an outstanding grammar school in Watford has today been announced as the first regional schools commissioner for North West London and the South Central region.
Martin Post, Headmaster of Watford Grammar School for Boys, will be responsible for overseeing the growth of academies in the region and will monitor their performance to ensure children receive the best possible education.
He will work closely with national Schools Commissioner, Frank Green, and Education Secretary Michael Gove to shape the role and priorities of the growing numbers of academies in North West London and South Central.
Mr Post said: "It is a great honour to be asked to be the first RSC for the North West London and south Central Region.
"Sorry as I am to be leaving Watford Grammar School for Boys, where I've had 20 wonderful years, I look forward to the challenge of making the Academies and Free Schools programme even more successful as it carries on giving autonomy to teachers and to governors.
"I will do all I can to ensure that these schools are successful for the students that they serve and that they have the leadership and the support they need to continue to improve at an even faster rate than at present.”
The regions covered by the commissioners will be split into eight areas across England. The North West London and South Central Commissioner will work with almost 650 academies in areas including Brent, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire and Reading.
Mr Post, who will start in his new post later this year, will be advised by a board of around six head teachers of outstanding academies or experienced educational leaders, the majority of whom will be elected to the position by their peers. The board will challenge and support the work of the commissioner.
Notes to editors: 1) The North West London and South Central Commissioner will cover Barnet, Bedford, Bracknell Forest, Brent, Buckinghamshire, Camden, Central Bedfordshire, City of London, Ealing, Enfield, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hertfordshire, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Luton, Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Reading, Slough, West Berkshire, Westminster, Windsor and Maidenhead and Wokingham.
2) The RSCs, supported by their head teacher boards, will perform functions of the Secretary of State on his behalf, within a national framework. This will not cut across existing accountability lines; accountability will remain with the Secretary of State, with decisions better informed by sector expertise.
3) Mr Post's biography is below: Martin Post is Headmaster at Watford Grammar School for Boys, as well as a Member of the Academy Companies for Watford Grammar School for Girls and Verulam School, and Trustee of the Teacher Development Trust. He attended Watford Grammar School for Boys and then read English and Related Literature at York University. He began teaching at King's School Rochester in 1982 and left there to take a PGCE at Darwin College Cambridge. He subsequently taught at Joined Mill Hill County High School, and was Head of English at Richard Hale School in Hertford. Martin joined Watford Grammar School for Boys as Deputy Head (Pastoral) in 1995. Took over as Deputy Head (Pastoral and Finance) in 1997 and then as Headmaster in 2000 on the departure of Sir John Holman to the University of York. WGSB was deemed Outstanding in OFSTED inspections in 2001, 2006 and 2010. He became a National Leader of Education in 2011, having previously been a Local Leader of Education, and having spent time as Consultant Head at Verulam School. He subsequently took on similar role at Hemel Hempstead School. He has been involved in school improvement work with schools in Southend since 2012, as well as a member of Hertfordshire Schools Forum.
6. West Midlands
The head of an outstanding academy has today been appointed as the first Regional Schools Commissioner for the West Midlands.
Pank Patel, Head Teacher of the Wood Green Academy in Wednesbury and a serving Ofsted inspector, will be responsible for overseeing the growth of academies in the region and will monitor their performance to ensure children receive the best possible education.
He will work closely with national Schools Commissioner, Frank Green, and Education Secretary Michael Gove to shape the role and priorities of the growing numbers of academies in the West Midlands.
Mr Patel said:
"I grew up in West Bromwich and spent most of my childhood and a substantial part of my working life here. I have first-hand experience of the challenges that we face. In applying for this post, I wanted to have a greater say in education and be able to further influence what we do. I want to make a greater impact on improving the life chances of young people in our region.
"I strongly believe that schools have the necessary skills and expertise to improve these life chances and look forward to working with head teachers and their schools in achieving this goal. In fostering this more collaborative approach, I will be aided by the elected head teacher board.”
The regions covered by the commissioners will be split into eight areas across England. The West Midlands Commissioner will work with more than 500 schools in are including Birmingham, Coventry, Shropshire, Stoke-on-Trent and Wolverhampton.
Mr Patel, who will start in his new post later this year, will be advised by a board of around six head teachers of outstanding academies or experienced educational leaders, the majority of whom will be elected to the position by their peers. The board will challenge and support the work of the commissioner.
Notes to editors: 1) The West Midlands Commissioner will cover schools in Birmingham, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Coventry, Dudley, Herefordshire, Sandwell, Shropshire, Solihull, Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Telford and Wrekin, Walsall, Warwickshire, Wolverhampton and Worcestershire.
2) The RSCs, supported by their head teacher boards, will perform functions of the Secretary of State on his behalf, within a national framework. This will not cut across existing accountability lines; accountability will remain with the Secretary of State, with decisions better informed by sector expertise.
3) Mr Patel's biography is below: Pank Patel has been the Head Teacher of Wood Green Academy in Wednesbury in the West Midlands since 2006. This school is a large 11-19 multicultural comprehensive specialist school set in the heart of the Black Country. The school is located in one of the most deprived wards in the country. Prior to this Pank had been a Deputy Head at two inner city schools. Under his leadership the school has become a Converter Academy and has achieved two outstanding Ofsted judgments (2006, 2012).
Pank has been a National Leader of Education (NLE) since February 2011 and has worked with a number of schools. Support for these schools has resulted in them improving rapidly and this has been recognised by Ofsted. Pank is a Lead Education Advisor for the Ormiston Academies Trust and a Leadership Development facilitator for the British Council helping deliver Leadership Development programmes in other countries. He is also a serving Ofsted inspector.
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