Department of Education: Responsibilities and Leadership

Overview

The Department for Education (DfE) holds responsibility for children's services and education in England, including early years schools, higher education, and further education policy.

Leadership

The DfE is led by the Secretary of State for Education. As of December 2020, Susan Acland-Hood holds the position of Permanent Secretary.

Responsibilities

The DfE plays a vital role in the following areas:

• Setting education and early years policies
• Ensuring quality standards in schools and universities
• Providing funding for education
• Supporting the development of early years professionals
• Approving qualifications for teaching in England
• Overseeing the implementation of education legislation

In recent years, the DfE has focused on initiatives to improve educational outcomes, such as the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the National Curriculum.