The Secretary of State for Education, , has
today Thursday 17 December announced Dame Rachel de Souza
as the next Children’s Commissioner for England.
She will take up her post in March 2021 and will replace
the current Children’s Commissioner for England Anne
Longfield OBE, who has held the post since 2015.
It follows a pre-appointment hearing in front of the
Education Select Committee on Tuesday 15 December, and
endorsement by the Committee of the Secretary of State’s
preferred candidate.
Education Secretary said:
It’s my pleasure to confirm Dame Rachel as the next
Children’s Commissioner for England. She has spent her
career protecting children’s most important right – the
right to an excellent education. She has a wealth of
experience in improving the outcomes for thousands of
children in under-performing schools and working with
families in a diverse range of disadvantaged communities.
I know that in this new role she will deliver positive
change and champion the voices of children in this
country, at a point where it is required more than ever.
With her expertise and knowledge she will keep the
momentum up in protecting and promoting children’s
rights.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Anne
Longfield for all her work and dedication over almost six
years. I look forward to seeing her continue this
important work in whatever she does next when her term
ends in February.
Dame Rachel de Souza has more than 25 years’ experience
working in education and has been at the heart of
delivering academic and organisational changes across a
multitude of different schools. She is currently the Chief
Executive at Inspiration Trust - a multi-academy trust
based in Norfolk and north Suffolk, including 14 academies
– which is recognised as one of the country’s best
comprehensive schools’ groups with a reputation for turning
around underperformance.
She has enjoyed a highly successful career in the
educational sector, including her key work to lead the
formation of Inspiration Trust, Rachel has been a trustee
at Shakespeare Globe and Ambition Institute and has
numerous qualifications in Leadership and Education.
Rachel was appointed a Dame in the New Year’s Honours in
2014 for her services to Education.
Dame Rachel de Souza said:
It is a great honour to be the next Children’s
Commissioner for England. For many years I’ve been a
passionate advocate for children and young people,
especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The
Inspiration Trust has done some fantastic work to support
young people in Norfolk and north Suffolk, delivering an
excellent education so that they can achieve their
potential and flourish. As Children’s Commissioner I’m
looking forward to standing up for children across
England.
We all know just how difficult Covid has been for
children and families up and down the country, I am going
to play my part in helping level up opportunities for
children, and ensuring their welfare everywhere, as we
come through this difficult time and look towards a more
positive future.
I’m going to miss leading the Inspiration Trust - we’ve
achieved so many fantastic things in the last 8 years.
From turning Great Yarmouth Charter Academy around and
developing a nationally-recognised curriculum to opening
the first maths and science specialist sixth form. We’ve
also faced a number of challenges, which we came together
as a family of schools to overcome. I’m proud to have
witnessed the community spirit of Norfolk and Suffolk -
it’s a time in my life that I will truly treasure.
Anne Longfield OBE will continue in her role as the
Children’s Commissioner for England until 28 February 2021.
The role of the Children’s
Commissioner was created by the Children Act 2004 and has
been strengthened by the Children and Families Act 2014.
The role of the Children’s Commissioner is to promote and
protect the rights of all children in England with a
particular focus on those with difficulties or challenges
in their lives, such as those living away from home, in or
leaving care, or receiving social care services.
