Education Secretary Gavin Williamson announces Dame Rachel de Souza as the next Children’s Commissioner for England
The Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson, 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 Gavin Williamson said:
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:
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.