Member

I also support my noble friend Lord Knight’s comments about responsible bodies. I have spoken with him so many times and started as a sceptic, but have been worn down and now absolutely think this is a good idea. To some extent, the right place for its implementation is this Bill, because I have always sensed—the Minister will tell me if I am wrong—that the Bill is trying to allow each of our different types of school to retain their difference, play to their strengths and not have to compromise on that, but be brought into an overall framework so that we have a unified school system. The idea of having a responsible body achieves that in governance: a local authority, a multi-academy trust, a single academy or whatever could be a responsible body. It would also get rid of that word “proprietor”, which I have never understood and do not think ought to be in legislation. So I think the time has come, in our consideration of governance and inspection of governance in our school system, to look very seriously at my noble friend Lord Knight’s suggestions for having responsible bodies. I am not sure he has put down an amendment, so I think we will have to look on the good grace of the Minister to perhaps offer it.