Policy & Practice: Briefing - The end of the local educationauthority

So this is the end of the local education authority? Yes - the term LEA will be expunged from official discourse. "Local authorities" will change from provider to commissioner of education, acting as a champion of pupils and parents, and with a duty to promote choice, diversity and fair access.

And they commission from the schools themselves? From a system of independent non-fee-paying state schools run by self-governing trusts or foundations, possibly sponsored by partners including faith groups or private companies.

The idea for all of this is that parental choice will drive up standards.

When they are free to choose, and schools are freer to respond, parents will vote. The Prime Minister claims that experience in Florida shows "test scores improved fastest where schools knew children were free to go elsewhere". A new national schools commissioner will match schools and partners and take action where parental choice gets frustrated.