An academy trust leader, so highly valued by Michael Gove that he once said he would like to clone her “23,000 times”, is the government’s choice to become the next children’s commissioner for England.
Dame Rachel de Souza, who is the founding chief executive of the Inspiration Trust, is to take over from the current incumbent, Anne Longfield, when her six-year term in office comes to an end next February.
The appointment is likely to be regarded as controversial because of her close links with the Conservative party. The Inspiration Trust, which is made up of 14 academies in Norfolk and north Suffolk, was founded by the Conservative peer and former academies minister Lord Agnew.
De Souza, who was appointed a dame in the 2014 new year honours list for services to education, is also a firm favourite of Gove. The former Conservative education secretary once told the Eastern Daily Press: “If anyone asked me what my ideal education policy would be, it would be to clone Rachel 23,000 times.”
When Sir Michael Wilshaw stepped down from his role as chief inspector of schools and head of Ofsted in 2016, De Souza was touted as a possible contender to replace him though the Times commented she “may be seen as too close to Michael Gove”. In the end the job went to the current incumbent, Amanda Spielman.
A steelworker’s daughter from Scunthorpe, De Souza is regarded as a no-excuses traditionalist who shares Gove’s belief in a knowledge-rich curriculum. Even critics acknowledge her success as a headteacher who has improved schools in deprived areas serving disadvantaged children.
There have been allegations about advance warning of Ofsted inspections of schools within the trust, but they were found to be unsubstantiated. Concerns were also raised about the number of pupils moving into home education at one of the trust’s schools.
One of the issues on which Longfield has campaigned is the practice of schools moving difficult or low-achieving pupils so that they are not included in GCSE results, known as off-rolling. Longfield has made herself a thorn in the side of the government, speaking out on exclusions, unregulated care homes, free school meals and child poverty. She has also held ministers to account over their response to the pandemic and its impact on children.
De Souza’s appointment was welcomed by many on social media. However, one critic told the Guardian: “Expect a weaker defender and advocate for children than Anne Longfield was.”
Responding to the announcement, De Souza said: “Throughout my whole career, I have been a passionate advocate for children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and finding ways to support them so they can realise their potential and flourish.
“We all know just how difficult Covid-19 has been for families up and down the country, and – subject to the appointment being approved – I would very much like 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.”
Making the announcement, the education secretary, Gavin Williamson, thanked Longfield for her service and said: “It is more important than ever before to have experienced and dedicated colleagues working with us in a shared ambition to protect and defend the most vulnerable children.
“I look forward to finalising the appointment of Dame Rachel de Souza as the next children’s commissioner, where she will bring her considerable experience of raising outcomes for every child to this essential role.”
De Souza will now appear before MPs on the Commons education committee before her appointment is expected to be confirmed by Williamson.