The Department for Education has “lost” its focus on school improvement, the former national schools commissioner has said.

Sir David Carter told Tes that the government’s lack of focus on school improvement, combined with pressures on funding and recruitment, meant that the school system was “creaking”.

In August, Sir David stood down after two and a half years as national schools commissioner, during which he was responsible for overseeing more than 7,000 academies.

Speaking to Tes earlier this month, he said: “We went from a position I think where the DfE had some very clear views and strategies around school improvement.

“There were some really effective grants for growing the capacity in multi-academy trusts, the Strategic School Improvement Fund, the Teacher and Leadership Innovation Fund.

“They weren’t huge sums of money, but they were enough to pump-prime some really new and innovative and quick practice, and I think the system saw that as an opportunity to build capacity quickly.

“I think the school improvement focus has been lost a bit in the department and needs to be got back quickly.”

The Strategic School Improvement Fund was closed in August, having spent only 40 per cent of the money allocated to it. Applications for the Teacher and Leadership Innovation Fund are also currently closed, and there have been reports that it is under threat.

While local school networks were “good enough” to improve themselves, Sir David said they would always have to “work systemically with people who can see the whole country, not just the local area”.

Sir David said the lack of DfE focus on improvement was one of three major challenges facing the school system, alongside recruitment and retention and funding.

“The school system is still very strong, but I think it’s creaking,” he said

“I think there are some very obvious signs around that.”

The DfE has been contacted for comment.