The Department for Education has appointed a new senior civil servant to manage the exams crisis.

Susan Acland-Hood, who is currently chief executive of HM Courts & Tribunals Service, has been appointed second permanent secretary at the DfE.

She has started today for an initial period of six weeks.

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Ms Acland-Hood previously spent two years at the DfE as director of education funding and has been a senior adviser on education policy in 10 Downing Street.

Her new role at the DfE will see her take charge of matters relating to the exam results crisis, while permanent secretary Jonathan Slater will deal with school reopenings, Tes understands.

There have been reports that Mr Slater faced the axe after ministers raised concerns about the failure to reopen schools before the summer, as well as the recent A-level and GCSE grading chaos.

However, the government has previously denied he will be leaving his post.

A government spokesperson said: “We know how challenging this year has been for students, but they should now feel confident that the grades they have received are what they deserve.

“To support the department’s response to exam results, Susan Acland-Hood has been appointed as second permanent secretary on a temporary basis.

“Susan will work closely with Jonathan Slater to ensure the best possible outcomes for young people up and down the country.

“Our focus now is on making sure every young person returns to the classroom full-time in September.”