Catalogue description Records created or inherited by the Department for Education and Skills and successors

Department for Education and Skills (DfES), 2001-2007

The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) was created in May 2001 after the dissolution of the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) - employment functions were transferred to the newly formed Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), while education functions became the responsibility of the new DfES.

DfES had responsibility for all aspects of education and children's services in England (but not Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland where education, being a devolved issue, was the responsibility of other government departments), including children of statutory school age, further and higher education, vocational training and lifelong learning. Its aim was to give everyone the chance, through education and training, to realise their full potential.

The department was also responsible for eighteen non-departmental public bodies across a range of disciplines and educational services.

After machinery of government changes on 28 June 2007, DfES was disbanded and its functions divided between two new departments, the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS).

Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), 2007-2010

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) was responsible for all issues affecting children and young people under the age of 19 in England, including children's services, schools and services for young people. DCSF's stated purpose was 'To make England the best place in the world for children and young people to grow up'. The department was led by the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families.

DCSF was also responsible for a number of Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs), including The British Educational Communications and Technology Agency, the General Teaching Council for England, the National College for School Leadership, the School Food Trust and the Training and Development Agency for Schools.

On 12 May 2010 following the General Election, a new Department for Education (DfE) was created by the incoming coalition government to take on the responsibilities and resources of DCSF.