David Cameron has announced that the government is keen on providing regional school commissioners (RSCs) with even greater powers to intervene in schools that are falling behind.

The prime minister said that under its proposals, the scope of what RSCs are able to do will be enhanced.

Currently, they are responsible for monitoring the performance of academies in their area, making recommendations to ministers about free school applications andlobbying organisations to become sponsors of these institutions.

However, Mr Cameron wants to extend these responsibilities to all types of state-funded schools, particularly those that have been identified as failing.

Some of the new powers that RSCs would have include having the authority to enforce immediate changes on how schools are run, appointing new governors and establishing new behaviour policies.

The prime minister also revealed plans for a National Teaching Service, which would see a select group of high-performing teachers be tasked with turning around struggling schools.

Commenting on Mr Cameron's announcements, education secretary Nicky Morgan said that this would complement the achievements of the coalition government.

"We have witnessed a revolution in school standards over the past four years, with more young people being taught in good or outstanding schools today than ever before," she stated.

"But there is more to do, and the next phase of the plan must go further and faster in targeting the schools where failure has become ingrained. Every child deserves the right to go to a good local school where they learn the skills and experiences they need to succeed in modern Britain.

"The new early intervention powers and National Teaching Service will ensure every child can truly enjoy that right for the first time."

The proposals have not been met with enthusiasm by all, including Russell Hobby, leader of the National Association of Head Teachers.

He said that providing RSCs with more powers was simply a "lousy" way of boosting the standards of education in struggling schools.