Research at DfE

The Department for Education's research interests, studies and available data.

Department for Education (DfE) research, together with analysis, data and statistics, aims to provide high-quality evidence to inform policy development and delivery. We conduct and commission research and analysis.

Research engagement

We aim to raise awareness of our current and future research interests with a programme of external research engagement.

Email: research.engagement@education.gov.uk for more information.

Live studies and surveys

Our large, national studies collect data from children and young people as they move through different phases of education. These are known as longitudinal studies and are live, commissioned studies. Strategic, longitudinal surveys include: 

Contact our longitudinal studies team if you have been asked to participate in one of these studies and want to find out more: Team.LONGITUDINAL@education.gov.uk.

We use flexible surveys, known as omnibus surveys, to collect data from a range of respondents regularly throughout the academic year.

These current, strategic surveys include: 

  • school and college voice
  • parent, pupil and learner voice

Omnibus surveys has more information about the current surveys and their results.

Childcare experiences survey

As part of the evaluation of the Expanded Childcare Entitlements, DfE are running an online childcare survey to seek the views and experiences of parents who have recently applied for funded childcare for working families. 40,000 parents have been randomly selected from those who applied for working families childcare entitlements between April to August 2024. We will be contacting parents 6 months later to identify any changes in circumstances, subject to consent. Responses to this survey will help inform how future childcare policies are delivered and findings will feed directly into the commissioned evaluation of the new entitlement offer.  

Depending on the success of the current cohort, from February 2025 we may be running this survey for 6 waves in total, over 2 years. Parents who apply for working families childcare entitlements during this period may receive invitations to take part in future surveys.

If you have any queries regarding the survey or evaluation, email the team at Your.childcare@education.gov.uk.

Using our data for research

DfE can share the data we collect for research purposes if it meets our legal and ethical framework requirements. We can share the data that we collect from:

  • education providers like schools and colleges
  • the research done by DfE or through contractors

If you are a researcher use Explore education statistics to find the data you need. Personal data is not available on Explore education statistics. If you need to access personal data, use Apply for DfE personal data.

Research funding

You can conduct research using DfE and other government data. We cannot respond to speculative approaches for research funding as we commission specific research needs through competitive tender.

Research may be funded by a wider funding organisation. You can find current funding opportunities from:

If you want to tender for research commissioned by DfE, register as a supplier on the following Crown Commercial Services dynamic purchasing systems: 

  • Low Value Purchase System (contracts under £120,000) 
  • Research and Insights Marketplace

Research publications

Research reports and official statistics and datasets published since May 2010 are available through our Research and statistics page.

Research published before May 2010 is available from The National Archives.

Quality and standards

All external research must meet the quality standards expected of DfE and wider government researchers and analysts. We ensure quality research and analysis through adhering to the DfE quality assurance framework for analysis (PDF, 688 KB, 49 pages) and government evaluation guidance.

Analysts follow a style guide and template as well as other guidance such as the Analysis Function to ensure that our research is consistent, reliable and of the highest standard.

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