Architecture: work in progress
Architecture community
- Last reviewed
- 19 June 2026
- Owner
- Head of Architecture
Find out how to get involved in the DfE architecture community, connect with peers and take part in architecture discussions and events.
We have an active architecture community across DfE.
The community meets every month to:
- share examples of good architectural practice across DfE
- hear from colleagues across government, the private sector and suppliers about new and emerging approaches
- discuss challenges and opportunities
- share knowledge and learn from each other
You do not have to be an architect to join in - we welcome contributions from all parts of DfE (if there’s an architecture or design connection). Anyone who’s interested in what we’re doing is also very welcome to join the conversations.
If you want to get involved or have something to share, contact us at architecture.profession@education.gov.uk.
Communities of practice
DfE has several architecture communities of practice.
The communities bring together people with shared interests in specific architecture domains. They provide opportunities to share knowledge, ask for advice and exchange ideas.
For more information, contact the community leads below:
| Community | Lead architect |
|---|---|
| Architecture in Data Science | Pete Holding / Stuart Baillie |
| Data Architecture | Richard Boland |
Community meet-up
We hold a monthly architecture meet-up that is open to everyone across DfE with an interest in architecture, including civil servants and contractors.
The meet-up provides an opportunity to discuss and share all things architecture and design, and typically includes:
- regular internal and external speakers, sharing their experiences from the frontline of architecture
- discussing common challenges in architecture, such as technical debt, patterns, roadmaps and strategy
- 'lean coffee' - an informal discussion where we propose, vote and talk about any challenges of the day
Hosting of the meet-up and topics is shared by the community and usually rotates between the architecture leads.
Collaboration channels
We use the DfE Architecture Community Teams channel to collaborate across the community. We share articles, chat about current challenges and ask (lots of) questions. You can usually find out if someone is tackling a similar problem or is hosting a session that you can join.
If you're working in DfE as a civil servant or contractor, you can join this community with your DfE account. If you need assistance, contact us at architecture.profession@education.gov.uk.
Useful resources
In addition to our communities, a range of resources is available to help you share knowledge, seek advice, exchange ideas and find guidance.
These include: