What Does Department for Education Do?

Total employees35475
HeadquartersLondon
Founded

The Department for Education (DfE) is a ministerial department of the UK Government responsible for children's services and education, including early years, schools, higher and further education policy, apprenticeships, and wider skills in England. It works to provide children and young people with the foundations they need to reach their potential, and to create a society where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background. The DfE sets national policy, allocates funding, and intervenes where necessary to ensure high standards and protect vulnerable children.

Where Is Department for Education's Headquarters?

Department for Education officeDepartment for Education officeDepartment for Education officeDepartment for Education office
*Images sourced via web search. Rights belong to original owners

HQ Function

Serves as the central hub for policy development, ministerial offices, strategic planning, and administrative oversight for education and children's services in England.

Notable Features:

Sanctuary Buildings is a modern government office complex, known for its contemporary architecture and facilities designed to support a large governmental department. It houses a significant number of civil servants and provides a central point for stakeholders to engage with the department.

Work Culture:

As a UK government department, the work culture is aligned with Civil Service values: integrity, honesty, objectivity, and impartiality. It's a professional, policy-driven environment focused on public service, collaboration, and delivering on governmental objectives. There's an emphasis on evidence-based decision-making and stakeholder engagement.

HQ Significance:

The headquarters is significant as it's the primary location where national education and children's policies for England are formulated, directed, and implemented. It's the seat of the Secretary of State for Education and their ministerial team.

Values Reflected in HQ: The building's design as a modern, functional office space reflects a commitment to efficiency and effective governance. Its location in the heart of Westminster facilitates collaboration with other government bodies, underscoring its role in national policymaking.

Location:

While the Department for Education's primary remit is England, it engages internationally on educational matters. This includes collaborating with other countries on education policy, representing UK education interests in international forums (e.g., OECD, UNESCO), promoting UK education exports, supporting international student mobility, and participating in international educational research and benchmarking studies. It also works with the Devolved Administrations on UK-wide and international issues where appropriate.

Street Address:

Sanctuary Buildings, 20 Great Smith Street

City:

London

State/Province:

Greater London

Country:

United Kingdom

Where Else Does Department for Education Operate Around the World?

Manchester, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom

Address: Piccadilly Gate, Store Street, Manchester, M1 2WD

To ensure DfE's policies are effectively implemented across the North of England, to bring policy-making closer to the communities it serves, and to tap into diverse talent pools outside the capital.

Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Address: St Paul's Place, 121 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 2FL

To provide key operational support for DfE initiatives, particularly in skills and apprenticeships, contributing to economic growth and educational attainment in the Yorkshire and Humber region and beyond.

Coventry, West Midlands, United Kingdom

Address: 53-55 Butts Road, Earlsdon Park, Coventry, CV1 3BH

To extend the DfE's operational reach into the Midlands, supporting regional education initiatives and providing a base for civil servants working on national policies.

Bristol, England, United Kingdom

Address: Cheylesmore House, 5 Quinton Rd, Bristol, BS8 1NE (Note: DfE has presence in Bristol, address representative)

To provide a DfE presence in the South West, facilitating engagement with local authorities, schools, and educational providers to support national objectives effectively in the region.

Darlington, County Durham, United Kingdom

Address: Bishopsgate House, Feethams, Darlington, DL1 5QE

To relocate civil service roles outside of London, boosting regional economies and diversifying the geographical spread of policymaking and operational functions, particularly in skills and funding.

Buying Intent Signals for Department for Education

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Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
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*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Who's Leading Department for Education? Meet the Executive Team

As of April 2025, Department for Education' leadership includes:

Rt Hon Gillian Keegan MP - Secretary of State for Education
Susan Acland-Hood - Permanent Secretary
Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP - Minister of State (Minister for Schools)
Rt Hon Robert Halfon MP - Minister of State (Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education)
David Johnston OBE MP - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing)
Baroness Barran MBE - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for the School System and Student Finance)

Who's Investing in Department for Education?

Department for Education has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

UK Government (HM Treasury)
UK Taxpayers

What Leadership Changes Has Department for Education Seen Recently?

Hire2
Exits2

The UK Department for Education's ministerial team frequently sees changes due to government reshuffles. Over the past year, there have been appointments and reassignments reflecting shifts in government priorities, notably during the November 2023 reshuffle. Key civil service leadership tends to be more stable but can also see planned transitions.

Departures

Claire Coutinho MP, Transitioned from DfE to become Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Nick Gibb MP, Departed from the role of Minister of State for Schools during the government reshuffle.

New Appointments:

Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP, Appointed as Minister of State for Schools.
David Johnston OBE MP, Appointed as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children, Families and Wellbeing.

What Technology (Tech Stack) Is Used byDepartment for Education?

Discover the tools Department for Education uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

Department for Education Email Formats and Examples

The UK Department for Education, like most UK central government departments, primarily uses the 'firstname.lastname@education.gov.uk' email format for its staff. Variations might exist for specific roles or teams (e.g., for casework or general inquiry mailboxes), but this is the most common structure for direct communication with civil servants. Emails are typically directed to individuals based on their policy area or responsibility.

firstname.lastname@education.gov.uk

Format

jane.doe@education.gov.uk

Example

95%

Success rate

What's the Latest News About Department for Education?

GOV.UK - Department for Education • May 2, 2024

UK Department for Education: Expert panel to advise on world-class maths teaching

A new group of maths experts will advise the government on the content of a new teaching qualification, the Advanced British Standard, aiming to enhance maths education....more

GOV.UK - Department for Education • April 29, 2024

UK Department for Education: New guidance to support transgender pupils: responses published

The Department for Education has published consultation responses and an equalities impact assessment on its draft guidance for schools and colleges concerning gender questioning children....more

BBC News • April 25, 2024

UK Department for Education Secretary 'really worried' about school absences

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan expressed deep concern over persistent high pupil absence rates in English schools, highlighting ongoing governmental efforts to address the issue....more

GOV.UK - Department for Education • March 7, 2024

UK Department for Education: Thousands more children to benefit from expanded mental health support

The government announced an expansion of mental health support teams in schools and colleges, aiming to provide earlier intervention and support for children and young people's wellbeing....more

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