Contact the Department for Education (DfE)
Check online for the information you need before you contact DfE.
Parents
Find out how to:
- complain about a school
- complain about childcare
- apply for a school place
- appeal a decision about a school place
- get special educational needs and disability (SEND) support
- check school performance tables
Teachers and childcare professionals
Find out how to:
- become a teacher (including early years and initial teacher training)
- qualify to teach at a state or special school in England after your training
- check the list of approved early years qualifications
- come and teach in England from abroad
- search for a school in England or Wales
- contact Teachers’ Pensions if you have a question about your pension
- get your teacher reference number (TRN)
Contact DfE by phone
If you work in a school, you’ll need your unique reference number (URN or UK PRN) when you contact DfE.
DfE helpline
Telephone: 0370 000 2288
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Find out about call charges
Christmas and New Year opening hours
| Date | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Monday 22 December | 9am to 3pm |
| Tuesday 23 December | 9am to 3pm |
| Wednesday 24 December | 9am to 3pm |
| Thursday 25 December | Closed |
| Friday 26 December | Closed |
| Saturday 27 December | Closed |
| Sunday 28 December | Closed |
| Monday 29 December | 9am to 3pm |
| Tuesday 30 December | 9am to 3pm |
| Wednesday 31 December | 9am to 3pm |
| Thursday 1 January | Closed |
| Friday 2 January | 9am to 3pm |
Contact DfE online
You can contact DfE online to:
- submit a question or complaint
- report wrongdoing in the public sector (known as whistleblowing)
- make a freedom of information (FOI) request
- find out what information DfE holds about you (known as a subject access request)
You’ll usually get a reply within 15 working days.