Catalogue description Records of the Schools Branch and successors

The Schools Branch was established following the re-organisation of educational provision after the 1944 Education Act. It took over the functions of the Elementary and Secondary Branches which were abolished, and also took responsibility for nursery schools from the Medical and Special Services Branch, and for technical schools from the Technical Branch.

In 1973 the Schools Branch was split into Branch 1 and Branch 2, and was later further split in three and, from 1988, four branches. The branches became responsible for the following services: organisation and supply of schools; the school building programme; school government; direct grant and independent schools; European schools; school attendance and admission; boarding education; education of service children; voluntary schools; nursery schools; land questions; the school leaving age; school meals and milk; transport and other welfare services; the school health service; educational provision for handicapped children; the Educational Disadvantage Unit; the education of immigrants; race relations; urban and inner city programmes and policy; safety in schools; the curriculum; careers education and guidance; liaison between schools and industry; school examinations; the Schools Council; educational technology; broadcasting; and the Assessment of Performance Unit.