New: fact-checking Rachel de Souza. https://www.educationuncovered.co.uk/analysis/analysis/148886/factchecking-rachel-de-souza.thtml The government’s pick for Children’s Commissioner appears to have made two out-and-out false statements to MPs yesterday, with a third one seemingly at odds with a news report.

As tweeted, RdS told the Education Select Committee that Great Yarmouth Charter Academy had been in special measures for 10 years prior to its takeover by her Inspiration Trust. The correct figure was less than 15 months.

De Souza also stated that most of the trust’s (secondary) schools had had figures for fixed-term exclusions in 2018-19 which were below the national average. In fact, six out of seven were above the national average.

RdS also said she was against using unqualified teachers, and would not allow it. But a 2015 Schools Week story had highlighted the trust’s search for such staff. It was not disputed at the time.

I offer some further thoughts on the first part of the pre-appointment hearing – including RdS’s seeming non-acknowledgement of any conflict between institutional results pressures and on occasion the needs of specific pupils – in this piece. https://www.educationuncovered.co.uk/analysis/analysis/148886/factchecking-rachel-de-souza.thtml

RdS also told the committee that Great Yarmouth Charter Academy (it was actually GY High School at the time) "had not had a SENCO". Former staff member tells me it had had two SEN staff leads, possibly still at the school now. Not been able to cross-check/verify this.