Arguably the most important of these is Schools Directorate, set up to transform the policy initiatives of Ministers into the delivery of education in England and Wales. This is where decisions are made about fundamental issues such as how schools are organised, how teachers are recruited and paid, and how subjects are taught.

For the first time in its history, the Department has recently appointed a Director of Schools from outside of the Department. Peter Housden took overall responsibility for Schools Directorate in late 2001.