‘DfE external data shares’ includes:

• classification of data – understanding the data we share
• DfE external third-party data shares (approved by the Data Sharing Approvals Panel from May 2018 to 31 March 2025)
• regular DfE external third-party data shares supported by appropriate data sharing agreements as of March 2025
• third-party requests for data from the national pupil database (approved prior to April 2018 where data is still held by the requestor as at 31 March 2025)
• data shares with Home Office
• data shares with police and criminal investigation authorities
• data shares through court orders

DfE also provides external access to data under https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/30/section/64/enacted" class="govuk-link">Section 64, Chapter 5, of the Digital Economy Act 2017. Details of these data shares can be found in the https://uksa.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/digitaleconomyact-research-statistics/better-useofdata-for-research-information-for-researchers/list-of-accredited-researchers-and-research-projects-under-the-research-strand-of-the-digital-economy-act/" class="govuk-link">UK Statistics Authority list of accredited projects.

Archive

Previous external data shares can be viewed in the https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/timeline1/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfe-external-data-shares" class="govuk-link">National Archives.

The data in the archived documents may not match DfE’s internal data request records due to definitions or business rules changing following process improvements.

Each government department has published detailed information about projects on the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP). This includes a Delivery Confidence Assessment rating, financial information (whole life cost, annual budget and forecast spend), project schedule and project narrative.

The data reflects the status of the GMPP at 31 March 2024 and is published in support of the 2023 Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) annual report.

The DfE and TPS main estimate memorandums for 2024 to 2025 were presented to Parliament in July 2024.

These are available on GOV.UK instead of their publication on the https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/203/education-committee/publications/10/estimate-memoranda/" class="govuk-link">Education Select Committee website, as the committee needs to be re-established following the dissolution of Parliament on 30 May 2024.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Department for Education (DfE) and the Grammar School Heads Association (GSHA) sets out the actions to widen access to grammar schools for disadvantaged pupils. It also aims to improve the work in partnership with non-selective schools.

The original MoU was agreed in 2018 and was in place until the end of 2022. This evaluation covers this period and measures the outcomes of that MoU.

The original MoU can be viewed in https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20221223130740/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/memorandum-of-understanding-between-dfe-and-grammar-school-heads-association" class="govuk-link">The National Archives.

Details of approved expenditure in areas limited by spending controls on a quarterly basis for 2021 to 2022.

We publish this data on a quarterly basis.

The percentage of invoices paid within 5 days and within 30 days of receipt by:

• DfE and its executive agencies
• other arms-length bodies

The data is provided in yearly quarters for each financial year.

All in-scope organisations must publish all interest liable on a quarterly basis.

The department’s calculation of interest liable is based on the value of the invoices submitted by suppliers. The total interest liable may be overstated if specific circumstances apply. For example:

• adjustments to reflect offsetting credit notes
• overpayments
• part payment
• the timing of disputes and resolution
• bespoke terms and conditions

The Department for Education (DfE) publishes details of the permanent secretary’s external meetings and senior officials’ business expenses and hospitality on a quarterly basis.

Details about the number of people working for the DfE group, and payroll costs for permanent staff and contractors.

The DfE group includes the:

• Department for Education
• Teaching Regulation Agency
• Standards and Testing Agency
• Office of the Children’s Commissioner
• Construction Industry Training Board
• Engineering Construction Industry Training Board
• Office for Students
• Student Loans Company
• Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
• LocatEd
• Oak National Academy

Data for spending over £25,000 by:

• Department for Education (DfE)
• Standards and Testing Agency (STA)
• Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA)

DfE publishes details of ministers’ overseas travel and meetings with external individuals and organisations every quarter.

The Department for Education publishes details of special advisers’ meetings with senior media figures and any gifts or hospitality they received on a quarterly basis.

The Department for Education (DfE) publishes details of ministers’ meetings with external organisations, gifts (given and received), hospitality and overseas travel, on a quarterly basis.

The Department for Education (DfE) publishes quarterly data for:

• senior DfE officials’ travel
• senior DfE officials’ hospitality
• the permanent secretary’s meetings with external organisations

Details of all ePCS expenditure over £500 by the:

• Department for Education (DfE)
• Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA)
• Standards and Testing Agency (STA)

Details of all ePCS expenditure over £500 by:

• Department for Education (DfE)
• Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA)
• Standards and Testing Agency (STA)

Details of the types of information the DfE holds about you and how you can request the information.

Read the DfE Personal information charter for more on the standards you can expect when we collect, hold or use your personal information.

The DfE privacy notices provide details of your rights and the lawful basis for each processing activity.

The Department for Education (DfE) has an Audit and Risk Assurance Committee to support the Accounting Officer and the departmental board in their responsibilities of :

• risk
• control
• governance

The committee reviews the internal and external audit arrangements and the reliability and integrity of assurances in respect of risk and control.