Department for Education
for Education
Featured
Fundamental shift in children’s social care set out
Press release
Government commits to major reforms to improve the lives of England’s most vulnerable children and families
New online quiz launched to help adults improve numeracy skills.
Primary school children across the UK will begin to receive ‘Queen Elizabeth: A Platinum Jubilee Celebration’
SEND review: right support, right place, right time
Open consultation
We’re seeking views on our green paper about the changes we want to make to the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and alternative provision (AP) system in England.
This white paper demonstrates how our education system can deliver on the government’s priority to level up across the country. The economic benefits of meeting the white paper’s ambitions, and the case for a fully trust led system, are also set out.
Apply for free school meals
Campaign
Check if your child can get free school meals in England and find out how to apply on your local authority’s website.
Latest from the Department for Education
What we do
The Department for Education is responsible for children’s services and education, including early years, schools, higher and further education policy, apprenticeships and wider skills in England.
DfE is a ministerial department, supported by 17 agencies and public bodies.
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Contact DfE
DfE incident support helpline
Telephone
0800 046 8687
This helpline is available to answer any questions you have about COVID-19 relating to education and childcare settings and children’s social care. You can also use it for support with any national incidents and emergencies.
Opening times:
Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm
If you work in a school or college, have your unique reference number (URN or UK PRN) available when calling the helpline.
General enquiries
Telephone
0370 000 2288
Opening times:
Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm, (excluding bank holidays)
You may get a quicker answer by calling between 9.30am and 10am, or between 4pm and 5pm.
Preventing extremism in education settings
Telephone
020 7340 7264
Opening times
Monday to Friday from 11am to 3pm (excluding bank holidays)
You can report concerns about extremism related to education settings in England, including allegations about institutions, staff and external people or organisations trying to influence settings.
Report abuse in education
Telephone
0800 136 663
Dedicated helpline run by NSPCC for children and young people who have experienced abuse at school, and for worried adults and professionals that need support and guidance.
Opening times
Monday to Friday from 8am to 10pm
Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 6pm
Media enquiries
Central newsdesk
020 7783 8300
Enquiry line for journalists only.
Make an FOI request
- Read about the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and how to make a request.
- Check our previous releases to see if we’ve already answered your question.
- Make a new request by contacting us using the details below.
Freedom of information (FOI) requests
Piccadilly Gate
Store Street
Manchester
M1 2WD
United Kingdom
Telephone
0370 000 2288
Please note, we receive a large volume of requests asking for lists of contact details for schools, which are available from our 'Get information about schools' service.
High profile groups within DfE
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Read about the types of information we routinely publish in our Publication scheme. Our Personal information charter explains how we treat your personal information. Read our policy on Social media use.