5.28 In a more autonomous school system, local authorities have an indispensable role to play as champions of children and parents, ensuring that the school system works for every family and using their democratic mandate to challenge every school to do the best for their population.
5.29 They also have a unique role in bringing together all services for children in a local area so that every child is ready and able to benefit from high-quality teaching in excellent schools. They are well-placed to help schools manage the twin challenges of delivering an aspirational National Curriculum and ensuring that teaching and learning reflects the nature of their local community. In order to help local authorities deliver this strategic role in the new system we will give them progressively greater freedom, by stripping away targets, rules, regulations and ring-fencing.
5.30 Their key roles will be to:
- Support parents and families through promoting a good supply of strong schools – encouraging the development of Academies and Free Schools which reflect the local community.
- Ensure fair access to all schools for every child.
- Use their democratic mandate to stand up for the interests of parents and children.
- Support vulnerable pupils – including Looked After Children, those with Special Educational Needs and those outside mainstream education.
- Support maintained schools performing below the floor standards to improve quickly or convert to Academy status with a strong sponsor, and support all other schools which wish to collaborate with them to improve educational performance.
- Develop their own school improvement strategies – they will be encouraged to market their school improvement services to all schools, not just those in their immediate geographical area.
