Publication scheme
This specifies the categories of information that DfE and its agencies publish and explains how to get that information.
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act) requires public authorities to adopt and maintain a publication scheme, the purpose of which is to:
- specify the classes of information we have committed to publish
- say how we will make that information available
- say whether the information is available free of charge or on payment
We publish all our information on this website.
Publications can be found using the publication search. If you need information in an alternative format, we will do all we reasonably can to help.
Our publication scheme follows the Information Commissioner’s model publication scheme for public authorities and covers the following executive agencies:
- Education Funding Agency
- National College for Teaching and Leadership
- Standards and Teaching Agency
If you can’t find what you want through this scheme, you may wish to make a request to us under the FOI Act. Where the information is published elsewhere you will find the required link in the list below.
About this publication scheme
This publication scheme is not a list of individual publications but rather a description of the classes or types of information that we are committed to publishing.
The scheme is not an exhaustive list of all the types of information that we publish – our policy is to publish proactively as much information as we can where the information would have a wider public interest.
The scheme does not include information that we consider to be sensitive, such as certain types of commercial or personal information, or information about security matters or which comprises legal advice.
Most of our publications, including priced publications, are available online. Where publications are not available online, we provide details of how to obtain hardcopies.
Crown copyright
This department is a Crown body and our information is subject to Crown copyright administered by The Stationery Office (TSO).
If you want to re-use or reproduce our publications, e.g. commercially or for circulation for educational purposes, you will in most cases need to apply for an Open Government Licence.
Feedback and complaints about the scheme
If you would like to provide feedback – good or bad – about our publication scheme, or have a specific complaint, please contact the Ministerial and Public Communications Division.
Classes of information
Who we are and what we do
The following information on our organisation, structures, locations and contracts is available online:
- organisational structure, roles and responsibilities
- department organograms
- senior staff: meetings with external organisations
- working in partnership: stakeholder groups, international organisations, non-departmental public bodies
- legislation relevant to the Department for Education’s functions
- answers to Parliamentary Questions published by UK Parliament
- location and contact details
What we spend and how we spend it
The following financial information about our projected and actual income and expenditure, procurement, contracts and financial audits is available online:
- financial statements, budgets and variance reports, published by HM Treasury
- contracts and tenders worth over £10,000
- government procurement card spend over £500
- financial audit reports published by the National Audit Office
- ministers: allowances and expenses
- senior staff and board members: allowances and expenses
- senior staff: pay and grading structures
- junior staff: pay and grading structures
- procurement procedures
What our priorities are and how we are doing
The following information on our strategies and plans, performance indicators, audits, inspections and reviews is available online:
- open data strategies
- business plan
- annual report
- impact assessments
- service standards
- statistics produced
How we make decisions
The following information about our decision-making processes and records of decision is available online:
Our policies and procedures
The following information on our current written protocols, policies, and procedures for delivering our services and responsibilities is available online:
- conducting departmental business
- customer service standards
- records management and personal data policies
Written requests
Information held by a public authority that is not published under this scheme can be requested in writing, when its provision will be considered in accordance with the provisions of the FOI Act.
Where you can find other relevant information
The following are relevant to our activities but is not information that we publish.
Acts of Parliament
Scope: Acts of Parliament, explanatory notes and Department for Education Bills are available online free of charge or you can buy them from The Stationary Office.
Timing: As available on the relevant websites listed above.
Costs: Subject to any TSO charges.
Parliamentary questions
Scope: Our answers to parliamentary questions are available from the Hansard website:
Papers deposited in the House libraries as part of an answer, and where available in electronic format, will be available from the House websites.
Timing: Copies of answers to parliamentary questions are available once they have appeared in the Hansard and are subject to the availability conditions of the Hansard website.
Costs: See Hansard and House websites for pricing.
Statutory instruments
Scope: Department for Education statutory instruments from 1987 are available online:
Timing: As available on the UK legislation website.
Costs: Free of charge.
General enquiries regarding our publications
If you require further help with our publications please contact us:
General enquiries
Contact form https://www.gov.uk/con...
Telephone 0370 000 2288
Opening times
Monday to Friday: 9am to 3pm
Closed at weekends and bank holidays