The Department for Education uses information collected in the School Workforce Census for research and statistical purposes, to evaluate and develop education policy.

The data may be shared with the following third parties, as prescribed in the regulations, so they can manage their own specific area of interest and undertake analyses that help them understand how they can make a better impact on children's education through the school workforce:

  • Local Government Association
  • HM Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills
  • Audit Commission for Local Authorities
  • National Health Service in England and Wales
  • Office of Manpower Economics
  • Teachers' Pension Scheme

The Department may also disclose individual information to independent researchers who have a legitimate need for it for their research. However each case will be determined on its merits and subject to the approval of the Department's Chief Statistician.
Information collected may be matched with other data sources that the Department holds to provide comprehensive information back to local authorities (LAs) and learning institutions to support their day-to-day business. The Department may also use contact details from these sources to obtain samples for statistical surveys; these surveys may be carried out by research agencies working under contract to the Department and participation in such surveys is usually voluntary. The Department may also match data from these sources to data obtained from statistical surveys.

Staff employed or otherwise engaged to work at schools or LAs, as data subjects, have certain rights under the Data Protection Act, including a general right of access to personal data held on them. If you would like further information about the personal data held on you, in the first instance you should contact your employer or the relevant organisation. If you would like to access the personal data which the Department holds on you, then please contact:

Contact details

Public Communication Unit
for general enquiries
Telephone: 0370 000 2288