The Department for Education’s top civil servant has announced that he is leaving the role.

Chris Wormald, who has been permanent secretary at the DfE since 2012, will move to the Department of Health as permanent secretary.

Mr Wormald said it would be “a privilege and an honour” to join the DH after four years in his current role.

Education secretary Nicky Morgan said he had done “a superb job”.

“He has played a crucial role in major reforms to restore rigour to exams, transform the school system with academies and free schools, and to support the most vulnerable children,” she said. “Ministers and staff will miss Chris hugely when he moves on.”

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