Children’s Commissioner Criticizes Labour’s School Reform Bill

Dame Rachel de Souza warns proposed changes could harm educational progress and extend time in failing schools.

Labour's Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill aims to increase local authority control over academies and enforce the national curriculum.
Dame Rachel de Souza, the children’s commissioner, expressed concerns that the reforms could slow school improvement and risk decades of progress.
The bill has faced backlash from academy leaders, who argue that restricting their freedoms undermines their ability to innovate and improve outcomes.
Labour has amended the bill to ensure no pay cuts for academy teachers, but critics say the changes do not address broader issues with the legislation.
Supporters of academies highlight their success in raising standards, questioning the need for reforms that limit their autonomy.