The CES negotiates, on behalf of all bishops, with Government, and other national bodies on legal, administrative, and religious education matters in order to:

• promote Catholic interests in education;
• safeguard Catholic interests in education;
• contribute to Christian perspectives within educational debate at national level.

It works closely with the Department for Catholic Education and Formation of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.  In addition, it liaises with national Catholic bodies to promote the catechetical policies of the Bishops' Conference.

In conjunction with representatives of those working in Catholic education across England and Wales, the CES advises the Bishops on educational matters and promotes the educational policies of the Bishops' Conference.

The CES works closely with the Church of England's Board of Education and with the Free Churches' Council to promote Christian interests in education by making joint representation to Government on educational issues.

The CES maintains links with Catholic education bodies in Scotland, Ireland and mainland Europe and elsewhere in the world to inform and promote Catholic educational policies http://www.cesew.org.uk/links