A Tale of Eight Regions: Part 1: Snapshot of the Evolving School System Across the Regional Schools Commissioner Areas

Key Findings

• Twenty-nine per cent of all state schools in England are academies, an increase of four percentage points since September 2015.
• The proportion of academies continues to vary by phase and RSC region; two-thirds of secondary schools are academies compared to one-in-five primary schools.
• • Overall growth in primary academisation in 2016 has exceeded secondary growth for the first time. Growth in the proportion of schools becoming academies has been steadily falling across both phases in recent years, but the decline in growth in the secondary sector has been steeper.
• The difference in academisation within regions is greater than differences between regions.
• There are variations in the proportions of underperforming LA maintained schools becoming sponsor-led academies.
• The number of schools in single- and multi-academy trusts by region also varies; this may make it more difficult for some RSCs to find sufficient sponsors in the future.

In our second report, published in April 2017, we will use the latest performance data to explore the future challenges RSCs face to support schools in their areas.

Regional Schools Commissioners - The picture in your region

• East Midlands & the Humber
• East of England & North-East London
• Lancashire & West Yorkshire
• North of England
• South-Central England & North-West London
• South-East England & South London
• South West England
• West Midlands

To see a list of local authorities in each Regional Schools Commissioner region, please click here.

Additional information

tale of eight regions

Related Titles

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Sponsor Details

NFER